Lodestar Method Law and Legal Definition
Lodestar method is a method adopted for calculating attorneys' fees where the court multiplies a reasonable hourly rate by a reasonable number of hours expended.
In order to calculate a fee award, the court must determine:
a. the reasonableness of the hourly rate charged; and
b. the reasonableness of the hours expended on the litigation.
In determining the reasonableness of the rate, an attorney's usual billing rate is presumptively the reasonable rate, provided that this rate is in line with those prevailing in the community for similar services by lawyers of reasonably comparable skill, experience and reputation. To determine the reasonableness of the number of hours expended on the litigation, the fee petitioner must submit evidence to the court that supports the hours worked. The fee petitioner's application must be sufficiently detailed to allow the court to determine, independently, that the hours claimed are justified. [Covad Communs. Co. v. Revonet, Inc., 267 F.R.D. 14 (D.D.C. 2010)].
