Townsquare Media, Inc. v. Regency Furniture, Inc.

Background

The Court considered a fee application submitted by Regency Furniture in connection with sanctions previously imposed against Townsquare Media. The sanctions arose from Townsquare Media’s failure to meet its discovery obligations under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 30(b)(6) concerning corporate designee Brian Lang’s testimony. Townsquare Media did not oppose the fee application.

Regency Furniture requested $1,080.00 in attorneys’ fees and $433.15 in costs. It submitted contemporaneous time records identifying the attorney, dates, hours, and work performed, along with receipts for expenses associated with Lang’s testimony.

Court’s Analysis

The Court explained that a presumptively reasonable attorneys’ fee is generally calculated using the lodestar method: a reasonable hourly rate multiplied by a reasonable number of hours. The relevant hourly rate is based on the prevailing market rate for lawyers in the district. The Court also considered the experience of Regency Furniture’s attorney, Mr. Frank, who was the managing attorney of a commercial litigation boutique and had practiced for forty-two years. Based on comparable rates previously approved in the district, the Court found his requested hourly rate of $540.00 reasonable.

The Court found that Mr. Frank’s documented two hours of work—one hour preparing for and one hour attending Lang’s testimony—were reasonable. It also found the requested $433.15 in costs adequately supported. Those costs consisted of $323.15 for the transcript and $110.00 for video services associated with the testimony.

Disposition

Judge Kenneth M. Karas granted Regency Furniture’s motion for attorneys’ fees and costs in the amount of $1,513.15: $1,080.00 in attorneys’ fees and $433.15 in costs. The Clerk of Court was directed to terminate the pending motion, identified as Docket Number 90.