Coenterprise, LLC v. Jones
1:25-cv-00543
| S.D.N.Y. | Jun 30, 2025Background
- Plaintiff, CoEnterprise, LLC, brought a case against Defendant, Kevin Donelson Jones, in the Southern District of New York.
- On May 15, 2025, the Court entered default judgment against Jones and granted CoEnterprise's request for reasonable attorneys’ fees under 18 U.S.C. § 1836(b)(3)(D).
- Plaintiff submitted a claim for $196,534.54 in attorneys’ fees and costs; Defendant did not oppose the request within the allotted time.
- The Court scrutinized the attorneys' fees, concluding that the hourly rates and hours claimed (especially by partners) exceeded reasonableness for the case.
- The Court elected to reduce the fee claim by 40%, awarding $115,821.30 in fees plus $3,499.04 in costs, for a total of $119,320.34.
- The Court immediately ordered judgment for CoEnterprise and required prompt service of this order on Jones via specified email addresses.
Issues
| Issue | Plaintiff's Argument | Defendant's Argument | Held |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reasonableness of Attorneys’ Fees | Fees and hours are reasonable given the case | None submitted | Reduction by 40% for excessiveness |
| Award of Costs | Costs are reimbursable | None submitted | Full costs awarded |
| Timing of Enforcement | Immediate enforcement is proper | None submitted | Immediate enforcement allowed |
| Proper Service of Judgment | Service by email sufficient | None submitted | Service by email ordered |
Key Cases Cited
- LeBlanc-Sternberg v. Fletcher, 143 F.3d 748 (2d Cir. 1998) (attorney’s fees awards include reasonable out-of-pocket expenses)
- McDonald ex rel. Prendergast v. Pension Plan of the NYSA-ILA Pension Trust Fund, 450 F.3d 91 (2d Cir. 2006) (courts may use percentage deduction to reduce fee applications)