Roe v. Howard

Filing 138

MEMORANDUM OPINION and ORDER; Plaintiff's Motion for Attorney's Fees 111 is GRANTED; Plaintiff is awarded attorneys' fees in the amount of $935,700,00. Signed by District Judge Liam O'Grady on 03/20/2020. (choy, )

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF VIRGINIA
Alexandria Division

SARAH ROE,

Plaintiff,
Civil Action No. 1:16-cv-562

Hon. Liam O'Grady
LINDA HOWARD AND ESTATE OF

RUSSELL HOWARD,

Defendants.

MEMORANDUM OPINION & ORDER

This matter comes before the Court on PlaintifPs Motion for Attorneys' Fees. Dkt. 111.

The motion is fully briefed. On June 17, 2019, the Court ordered Plaintiff to produce specific
evidence as to local prevailing hourly rates for attorneys ofsimilar skill and for similar work as

was required in this case. Dkt. 135. Plaintiff submitted responses based on relevant case law
and an affidavit of a local, independent attorney with applicable knowledge and experience.
Dkts. 136,137. The Court dispensed with oral argument because it would not aid in the
decisional process.
I. Background

After a four-day jury trial. Plaintiff prevailed on all counts when the jury found
Defendant liable for violating the Trafficking Victims Protection Act(TVPA). Thejury awarded
Plaintiff $1 million in compensatory damages and $2 million in punitive damages. Defendant

appealed the verdict and certain of the District Court's holdings, and the Court of Appeals for the