On December 13, 2016, Chief Judge Lynn entered an Order (available here) in Rainere v. Microsoft & AT&T. The Court had previously decided the case in defendants’ favor, and found that the case was exceptional, justifying an award of attorney’s fees against the plaintiff. In this Order, Judge Lynn found that the plaintiff should pay defendants approximately $440,000 in attorney’s fees. Of note, the Court found that:
- AT&T’s lead counsel’s hourly rates ranging from $375 to $1,030/hour were reasonable;
- AT&T’s local counsel’s hourly rates ranging from $500 to $600/hour were reasonable; and
- Microsoft’s lead counsel’s hourly rates ranging from $525 to $1,100/hour were reasonable.