HINES v. DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Filing 23

Memorandum Opinion re 22 Order on Motion for Summary Judgment. Signed by Judge James E. Boasberg on 1/2/2014. (lcjeb4)

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

ANGELA HINES,
Plaintiff,
v.

Civil Action No. 13-560 (JEB/AK)

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA,
Defendant.

MEMORANDUM OPINION
This matter is before the Court on the Report and Recommendation filed by Magistrate
Judge Alan Kay on December 4, 2013. The 14-day period during which the parties may
file objections to the Report and Recommendation has expired, see Local Civil Rule 72.3(b), and
neither party has filed objections.
Plaintiff Angela Hines, on behalf of her minor child M.H., filed a Motion for Summary
Judgment seeking reimbursement of the fees incurred by her attorney in this Individuals with
Disabilities Education Act matter. See ECF No. 10. Defendant District of Columbia filed an
opposition to that Motion, as well as a Cross-Motion for Summary Judgment. See ECF Nos. 1112. In determining whether the fees sought by Plaintiff were reasonable, Judge Kay analyzed the
complexity of the issues and determined that an hourly rate of $217.50 – three-fourths of the
Laffey rate – for the attorney and $108.75 for the paralegal struck a fair balance. Judge Kay
concluded that Plaintiff should be awarded fees as follows: her counsel 85.4 hours at $217.50 per
hour (totaling $18,574.50), her paralegal 86.4 hours at $108.75 per hour (totaling $9,396), and
costs of $305.76. The total amount was $28,276.26.

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After consideration of the Report and Recommendation of Judge Kay, the absence of any
party’s objection thereto, the entire record before the Court, and the applicable law, the Court
will adopt Magistrate Judge Kay’s Report and Recommendation and grant in part and deny in
part both parties’ Motions.
A separate final order accompanies this Memorandum Opinion.

/s/ James E. Boasberg
JAMES E. BOASBERG
United States District Judge
Date: January 2, 2014

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