Romain et al v. Sonnier

Filing 51

ORDER AND REASONS granting 44 Motion for Attorney Fees, but with a slight reduction in the quantum of fees. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Defendant shall remit payment to Plaintiffs in the amount of $256,521.72, representing $252,077.00 in attorneys' fees and $4,444.72 in litigation costs. Signed by Judge Carl Barbier on 11/7/2019. (cg)

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
EASTERN DISTRICT OF LOUISIANA
LISA ROMAIN, ET AL.

CIVIL ACTION

VERSUS

No: 15-06942

SUZY SONNIER, in her official
capacity as Secretary of
Louisiana Department of
Children and Family Services

SECTION: “J” (1)

ORDER & REASONS
Before the Court is Plaintiffs’ Motion on Quantum of Attorneys’ Fees (Rec.
Doc. 44), an opposition thereto by Defendant (Rec. Doc. 48), and a reply by Plaintiffs
(Rec. Doc. 50). Plaintiffs move for an award of attorneys’ fees and costs in the amount
of $254,327.00 in fees and $4,444.72 in costs. Having considered the motion and legal
memoranda, the record, and the applicable law, the Court finds that the motion
should be GRANTED, but with a slight reduction in the quantum of fees.
FACTS AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND
The Court assumes the reader’s familiarity with this case and provides only a
brief account of the relevant facts and procedural history. Plaintiffs are a “prevailing
party” seeking reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs under 42 U.S.C. § 1988 against
Defendant, the Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Children and Family
Services (“Department”). Romain v. Walters, 856 F. 3d 402, (5th. Cir. 2017). All
Plaintiffs are Louisiana residents who are eligible for Supplemental Nutritional
Assistance Program (“SNAP”) benefits so long as Louisiana applies for a SNAP “work

requirement” waiver from the federal government. If, however, Louisiana fails to
apply for the waiver then the Plaintiffs would lose their benefits. In September of
2015, the Department informed Plaintiffs that Louisiana, under the guidance of then
Governor Bobby Jindal, would not be seeking a work requirement waiver for 2016.
On December 18, 2015 Plaintiffs sued in attempt to prevent Louisiana from
terminating their SNAP benefits by failing to file the work requirement waiver. On
December 21, 2015, Governor-Elect John Bel Edwards wrote a letter to the federal
government stating his intention to reverse Governor Jindal’s decision by applying
for the work requirement waiver as soon as he took office on January 11, 2016. In his
letter, he “requested the USDA to work with [Louisiana] ‘to ensure that there is no
gap in benefits until the waiver can be formally extended after I take office [on
January 11, 2016],’ and stated that ‘I am willing to work with your office and [the
Department] to ensure these benefits are not cut off on December 31st.’” Id.
Considering Governor-Elect Edwards’ intentions, Plaintiffs entered into a
Settlement Order with the Department that contained three specific orders affecting
the relationship between the parties. 1 Id. If the waiver was granted and the
Defendant complied with all three orders, then Plaintiffs’ complaint would be
dismissed with prejudice. Plaintiffs then filed their Motion for Reasonable Attorneys’
Fees and Costs, believing the Settlement Order was sufficient to make them the

1

The three orders were as follows: “a) ‘[t]ake all steps necessary to ensure that SNAP benefits due for January 2016,
are issued no later than January 22, 2016 in accordance with federal law and regulations’; (b) take steps to make sure
the three-month work requirement limitation period did not commence for Plaintiffs and members of the class; and
(c) issue notice to Plaintiffs and members of the class of the actions taken in conformity with the grant of the waiver
and the Settlement Order.” Romain, 856 F.3d 405.
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prevailing party. The district judge then assigned to the case denied the motion,
stating that Plaintiffs were not a prevailing party within the meaning of § 1988.
Subsequently, Plaintiffs appealed the decision and the Fifth Circuit overturned,
holding that Plaintiffs were the Prevailing Party due to the Settlement Order. On
remand the case was transferred to the undersigned for the first time. The sole
remaining issue before the Court on remand was whether there exists any “special
circumstances” that would render awarding attorneys’ fees to Plaintiffs under § 1988
unjust. Id. at 407.
On October 2, 2019, the Court issued an Order and Reasons holding that there
existed no special circumstances rendering an award of attorneys’ fees to Plaintiffs
unjust. (Rec. Doc. 42). The final issue before the Court is a determination of the
precise quantum of fees Plaintiffs are entitled to.
DISCUSSION
To begin, “it is settled that a prevailing plaintiff is entitled to attorneys’ fees
for the effort entailed in litigating a fee claim and securing compensation. Cruz v.
Hauck, 762 F.2d 1230, 1233. (5th. Cir. 1985). This includes Plaintiffs’ post-appeal
briefing as ordered by this Court. Id. at 1234. Plaintiffs are also entitled to attorneys’
fees incurred as part of their appeal to vindicate their fee rights. See Hines v. City of
Albany, 862 F.3d 215, 221 (2nd Cir. 2017) (holding that the district court should have
awarded the plaintiff appellate attorneys’ fees under Section 1988 after initial
remand); see also Seyler v. Seyler, 678 F.2d 29, 30 (5th.Cir. 1982) (discussing the

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remand of a case to the district court to determine the reasonable amount of
attorneys’ appellate fees).
To calculate the precise dollar amount of attorneys’ fees to which Plaintiffs are
entitled, the Court uses the “lodestar” figure. Louisiana Power & Light Co. Kellstrom,
50 F.3d 319 (5th. Cir. 1995). To arrive at the lodestar figure, the Court “multiplies
the number of hours reasonably expended in the case by the prevailing hourly rate
for legal services in the district.” Hernandez v. U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Agency, No. 10-4602, 2012 WL 398328 (E.D. La. Feb. 2012). After calculating the
lodestar figure, the Court has the discretion to adjust the final award based upon a
consideration of the Johnson factors. Johnson v. Georgia Highway Exp., Inc., 488 F.2d
714 (5th. Cir. 1974). These factors include the following:
1) the time and labor required;
2) the novelty and difficulty of the issues presented;
3) the skill required to perform the legal skills properly;
4) the preclusion of other employment by the attorney due to acceptance of
the case;
5) the customary fee;
6) whether the fee was fixed or contingent;
7) time limitations imposed by the client or the circumstances;
8) the amount involved and the result obtained;
9) the experience, reputation, and ability of the attorneys;
10) the undesirability of the case;

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11) the nature and length of the professional relationship with the client;
and
12) awards in similar cases.

Id. at 717-19. It should be noted that no one Johnson factor “is a substitute for
multiplying reasonable billing rates by a reasonable estimation of the number of
hours expended on the litigation.” Blanchard v. Bergeron, 489 U.S. 87 (1989).
I.

THE NUMBER OF HOURS REASONABLY SPENT

The Court must first determine if the hours requested by Plaintiffs’ counsel
were reasonable considering the nature of the case and the work performed. The
party seeking fees bears the burden of proving the reasonableness of the requested
hours. Mota v. Univ. of Tex. Houston Health Science Ctr., 261 F.3d 512, 528 (5th
Cir.2001). Here, Plaintiffs have requested a total of $258,684.72, representing
$254,237.00 in attorneys’ fees and $4,447.72 in costs. This total reflects work done by
four different legal representatives. During the initial stage of the class-action and
post-remand proceedings, Plaintiffs were represented by William Quigley, Sima
Atri, 2 and the National Center for Law and Economic Justice (“NCLEJ”). Attorneys
Greg Bass, Marc Cohan, Mary Mannix, Fran Fajana, Leah Lotto, and Karina Tefft
performed the work attributable to NCLEJ (Rec. Doc. 44-7). At the appellate stage of
the proceedings, Plaintiffs were represented by the law firm of Quinn Emanuel.
Attorneys Jennifer Selendy, Charles Eskridge, Ellyde Thompson, and Jonathan Sink

2

Sima Atri worked at the New Orleans’ Workers Center for Racial Justice during the litigation. At the tail end of
proceedings, she was replaced by Mary Yannik.
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performed the work attributable to Quinn Emanuel. (Rec. Doc. 44-6). In sum,
Plaintiffs request 777.15 hours of attorneys’ fees.
Defendant contends that Plaintiffs’ totals should be reduced, given that the
entire initial stage of litigation only took slightly longer than one month. The Court
is not persuaded that the total hours reasonably expended in this case should be
calculated with reference to the time frame of the initial litigation. The large quantity
of hours incurred in such a relatively short time frame merely underscores the scope
of Plaintiffs’ undertaking. In roughly a month’s timespan, Plaintiffs drafted a class
action complaint and moved for class certification and injunctive relief on behalf of
the seven named plaintiffs and a putative class. All of this had to be done quickly to
prevent Plaintiffs’ loss of SNAP benefits. Furthermore, Defendant’s argument
neglects the fact that a substantial number of Plaintiffs’ hours were incurred
attempting to recover attorneys’ fees, which was entirely independent of the initial
litigation.
Defendant further urges the Court to reduce Plaintiffs’ requested hours
because they “reflect duplication of efforts, excessive time spent on tasks, and too
many lawyers being involved in work that could have been done by fewer.” (Rec. Doc.
48). A court should exclude all time billed for work that is excessive, duplicative, or
inadequately documented. Jimenez v. Wood County, Tex., 621 F.3d 372, 379-80 (5th.
Cir. 2010).
Having reviewed the applicable billing records, the Court finds that the records
kept by counsel in this case are sufficiently clear and detailed to allow for adequate

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review, and that the hours expended are reasonable under the facts of the case, albeit
with one minor exception. The billing records submitted by Mr. Bass indicate that on
December 11, 2015 Mr. Bass worked on “drafting the merits section of the
preliminary injunction brief” from 10:30 a.m. until 6:34 p.m. for a total of eight hours
and four minutes (Rec. Doc. 44-2 at 2-3). Yet Mr. Bass billed that time in overlapping
increments such that the total requested hours for that time frame is fourteen hours
and 54 minutes. Id. As there is no reasonable basis for this discrepancy, the Court
will reduce Mr. Bass’s requested hours by six.
Other than the reduction in Mr. Bass’s hours, the Court can find no basis in
the record to conclude that any of the hours requested are excessive, duplicative, or
unnecessary. The Court’s finding is buttressed by Defendant’s inability to advance
specific objections to any of Plaintiffs’ billing records. See McClure v. Mexia
Independent School. Dist., 750 F.2d 396 (5th. Cir.1985) (holding that once a party
seeking attorneys’ fees has submitted itemized hours and expenses the burden shifts
to the other party to present specific objections); see also Bell v. United Princeton
Properties, Inc., 884 F.2d 713, 720 (3rd. Cir. 1989) (the party opposing a fee motion
“cannot merely allege in general terms that the time spent was excessive.”) The Court
is further persuaded by Plaintiffs’ exercise of reasonable billing judgment by
voluntarily reducing their total request by 10%, at least as regards the initial
litigation. (Rec. Doc. 13-1 at 8.). As such, the Court finds a total of 771.15 hours
expended reasonable for the work performed in this case. 3

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This accounts for the six hours the Court deducted from Mr. Bass’ requested hours.
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II.

REASONABLENESS

OF THE

HOURLY RATE

FOR

EACH PARTICIPATING

ATTORNEY
Attorneys’ fees should be calculated at the “prevailing market rates in the
relevant community for similar services by attorneys of reasonably comparable skills,
experience, and reputation.” Blum v. Stenson, 465 U.S. 886, 895 (1984). The burden
of proving the requested rate aligns with the prevailing market rates falls on the
party seeking the attorneys’ fees. Wheeler v. Mental Health & Mental Retardation
Auth. of Harris County, Tex., 752 F.2d 1063, 1073 (5th Cir.1985).
Here, Plaintiffs seek fees at an hourly rate of $450 for work performed by 1)
William Quigley, 2) Marc Cohan, Greg Bass, and Mary Mannix of the NCLEJ, and 3)
Jennifer Selendy, Charles Eskridge, and Ellyde Thompson of Quinn Emanuel.
William Quigley is an extremely accomplished constitutional and civil rights
attorney, with over thirty years of experience in federal courts. (Rec. Doc. 44-5).
Cohan, Bass, and Mannix all possess over thirty years of public benefits litigation
experience (Rec. Doc. 44-7). Selendy, Eskridge, and Thompson were all partners at
Quinn Emanuel, a highly prestigious litigation law firm, where all three typically bill
far in excess of the amount sought by Plaintiffs. (Rec. Doc. 44-6).
Plaintiffs seek additional compensation for the following: Francisca Fajana, a
NCLEJ attorney with over 20 years of experience, at the rate of $400 an hour;
Jonathan Sink, a Quinn Emanuel associate with an undisclosed amount of experience
at the rate of $300; 4 Leah Lotto, a NCLEJ attorney with 10 years of experience at the

4

Although unclear how much experience Mr. Sink possesses, his billing records indicate he typically bills at more
than double the rate Plaintiffs’ request. (Rec. Doc. 44-6).
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rate of $250; 5 Sima Atri at the rate of $200 an hour; and Karina Tefft at the rate of
$200 an hour.
In support of this request, Plaintiffs have cited three cases in which various
sections of this Court awarded $450 attorneys’ fees to highly qualified and
experienced attorneys in this district. See St. Joseph Abbey v. Castille, No. 10-2717,
U.S. Dist. LEXIS 183990 (E.D. La. Nov. 21, 2014); Hornbeck Offshore Services, L.L.C.
v. Salazar, No.10-663, 2011 WL 2214765 (E.D. La. June 1, 2011); H-S Intl., Inc. v.
Abo Ventures, Inc., No. 15-3063, WL 614698 (E.D. La. Feb. 16, 2016). Plaintiffs have
also submitted the affidavit of Mr. Quigley, who avers that $450 is a reasonable fee
for someone of his expertise and experience (Rec. Doc. 44-5).
Defendant counters by citing the relatively low rates the Louisiana
Department of Justice pays private attorneys when it outsources federal litigation.
(Rec. Doc. 48). However, the fact that the government pays its attorneys at a low rate
has “little relevance when determining an appropriate basis upon which to set
plaintiff’s counsel’s rates.” Grantham v. Moffett, No. 93-4007, 1996 WL 3750, (E.D.
La. Jan. 1996) (citing Mirabal v. General Motors Acceptance Corp., 576 F.2d 729, 731
(7th. Cir. 1978) Defendant cites no cases from this district to counter Plaintiffs’
desired rates.

5

There is some discrepancy in the rate sought by Ms. Lotto. In Plaintiffs’ motion itself they ask for a $300 rate for
Ms. Lotto, whereas the fee chart attached in Rec. Doc, 44-7 reflects a $250 rate. This is ultimately academic, as the
Court is granting Plaintiffs’ requested total minus the six-hour reduction.
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Based on the foregoing, the Court finds that taken as a whole the requested
rates are reasonable, although at the higher end of the prevailing market rates.
III.

APPLICATION OF THE JOHNSON FACTORS

The final lodestar figure, accounting for the six-hour reduction in Mr. Bass’s
expended hours, is $252,077.00. Although there is a strong presumption that the
lodestar figure is reasonable, the Court ought still consider the Johnson factors before
assessing a final quantum of attorneys’ fees. Heidtman v. County of El Paso, Tex., 171
F.3d 1038, 1043 (5th.Cir. 1999). This consideration need not be “meticulously
detailed,” yet all twelve factors must be clearly applied to the lodestar figure. Saizan
v. Delta Concrete Products Co. Inc., 448 F.3d 975 (5th. Cir. 2006). If a Johnson factor
has already been considered in the calculation of the lodestar figure, the Court need
not contemplate further adjustments on that basis. Id.
In the present case, after careful consideration of each of the Johnson factors,
the Court finds there is no further need to adjust the lodestar figure.
1) Time and Labor Required
Plaintiffs were forced to initiate litigation and push it forward at a relatively
breakneck pace to ensure they maintained their access to SNAP benefits. The Court
finds this factor confirms the reasonableness of the lodestar figure.
2) Novelty and Difficulty of the Issues Involved
The Court finds the legal issues presented in this case, namely the theory
advanced by Plaintiffs regarding the interplay of federal due process law and the
federal food stamp act, were both novel and difficult. Thus, application of this factor

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supports the large number of research and analysis hours expended by Plaintiffs’
counsel.
3) Skill Required
The Court finds that Plaintiffs’ counsel skillfully handled the novel and
difficult issues to obtain a positive result for Plaintiffs. This supports the lodestar
figure.
4) Preclusion of Other Employment
Plaintiffs’ counsel has not provided any evidence that that this case forced
them to turn away other potential clients and cases due to the time and resources
required.
5) Customary Fee
This factor was already accounted for in the Court’s consideration of the
lodestar figure.
6) Whether Fee is Fixed or Contingent
Plaintiffs’ counsel provides no information as to whether the fee was fixed or
contingent. Due to the public interest nature of the suit, it is likely the case was pro
bono. Therefore, the Court need not consider this factor.
7) Time Limitations Imposed by the Client or Circumstances of the
Case
Similar to the Court’s analysis under the first Johnson factor, the expeditious
nature of this suit left little time for unnecessary or redundant work, and therefore
this factor further solidifies the reasonableness of the expended hours.

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8) Amount Involved and Results Obtained
The degree of success obtained is the most important Johnson factor. Abner v.
Kansas City So. Ry. Co., 541 F.3d 372, 376–77 (5th Cir.2008) (citing Johnson v. Ga.
Highway Express, 488 F.2d 714, 717–19 (5th Cir.1974)). Here, Defendant attempts to
reiterate its arguments that efforts by Plaintiffs’ counsel did not contribute to
Plaintiffs’ ultimate success. Yet the Court already decided that issue in its October 2,
2019 Order and Reasons. (Rec. Doc. 42). 6 Therefore, the Court finds that Plaintiffs’
counsel achieved complete success for their clients, and the lodestar figure reflects an
adequate level of compensation commensurate with that success.
9) Experience, Reputation, and Ability of Attorneys
This factor was already considered in the Court’s calculation of the lodestar
figure.
10) Undesirability of the Case
Plaintiffs argue this factor should apply because cases brought by low income
single adults deprived of public benefits are not typically desirable. It is true this
factor is most often applied in civil rights’ cases, such as the present case. See Cooper
v. Pentecost, 77 F.3d. 829 (5th. Cir. 1996). Nevertheless, the Court is unpersuaded by
Plaintiffs’ argument that Plaintiffs’ counsel, many of whom have devoted their
careers to public interest work and advancing the causes of similar situated plaintiffs,
did not desire to take this case. 7

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Just to reiterate, the clear statement by Governor Edwards’ executive counsel shows that Plaintiffs’ lawsuit, and thus
by proxy the efforts by Plaintiffs’ counsel, played at minimum a significant role in the Governor’s decision ensure
there was no stoppage of SNAP benefits.
7
That conclusion does not apply to the attorneys at Quinn Emanuel.
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11) Nature and Length of Professional Relationship with Client
This factor is intended to compensate attorneys who discount their fees to
longstanding clients. See Johnson, 488 F.2d at 719. As Plaintiffs have provided no
proof of any longstanding relationship between themselves and counsel, the Court
will not apply this factor.
12) Awards in Similar Cases
This factor is neutral because the Court already considered awards of
attorneys’ fees in this district when calculating the lodestar figure.

Because it appears that none of the Johnson factors warrants an upward or
downward adjustment from the lodestar amounts, the Court finds that the final
lodestar figure of $252,077.00 is the correct award in this case.
IV.

COSTS AND EXPENSES

Plaintiffs are also entitled to recovery of “litigation costs reasonably incurred.”
42 U.S.C. § 1988. Plaintiff seeks $4,444.72 in such costs. This total represents the
$1,468.57 incurred by NCLEJ in flying Ms. Fajana and Ms. Lotto to Louisiana to
assist in litigation efforts, combined with the $2,956.15 incurred by Quinn Emanuel
during the appellate process. Defendant does not contest Plaintiffs’ requested costs.
Having reviewed the evidence submitted in support of this request, the Court
concludes the expenses are sufficiently documented and will therefore award the
Plaintiff the full $4,444.72 requested. (Rec. Doc. 44-6 and 44-7).
CONCLUSION

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Accordingly,
IT IS ORDERED that Plaintiffs Motion for Quantum of Attorneys’ Fees and
Costs (Rec. Doc. 44) is GRANTED.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Defendant shall remit payment to
Plaintiffs in the amount of $256,521.72, representing $252,077.00 in attorneys’ fees
and $4,444.72 in litigation costs.
New Orleans, Louisiana this 7th day of November, 2019.

CARL J. BARBIER
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

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