Judge in Google antitrust case blasts attorney fees request as 'shockingly huge'

A California federal judge criticized class counsel’s attorney fees request tied to a $700 million antitrust settlement involving Google. The judge described the $85 million request as patently unreasonable and shockingly huge. He reacted to the estimated 98,200 hours worked, calling it a mountain of time and expressing disbelief at the amount of work relative to the results. He said the time spent was far beyond what would be reasonable for the outcomes achieved. The settlement stems from multidistrict litigation alleging that Google’s Play Store apps and pricing violated federal antitrust laws. The deal followed a 2023 agreement with attorneys general from multiple jurisdictions and received preliminary approval.

"A California federal judge who approved a $700 million antitrust settlement with Google described the class counsel's $85 million attorney fees request as "patently unreasonable" and "shockingly huge.""

"Donato called the estimated 98,200 hours worked on the case "a mountain of time," and he added that, "I can't say it without gasping," according to the story. "The pyramids were built in less time than it took to litigate this case," he said, according to Law.com."

""I have serious doubts that almost 100,000 hours of work in this case for the results that were obtained-not even close to being reasonable.""

"The request is part of a 2023 settlement Google reached with attorneys general from 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands as part of multidistrict litigation alleging that the apps and pricing on Google's Play Store violated federal antitrust laws. Donato granted preliminary approval of the deal in November."

Read at ABA Journal