In Mendez v. The County of San Bernardino, US District Court, Central District of California, (a case in which I submitted a declaration in opposition to the fees requested), The Honorable Judge Wilson found the initial lodestar of $696,923 should be reduced by 75%. As such, the Court granted Plaintiffs' motion for attorneys fees, but awarded fees in the amount of $174,230.
In an action against the San Bernardino County Sherriff's Department for false arrest and an illegal search and seizure, many of the claims were dismissed at the summary adjudication stage. Plaintiff eventually obtained a jury verdict for a nominal $2 in compensatory damages and $5,000 in punitives for the claims which survived.
The first federal judge denied the fees altogether finding them to be so excessive that they failed to pass muster under the "shocks the conscience" test.
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