Direct notice of class counsel's fee motion to the class members
Key facts
- Human involvement
- YellowClose supervision
- How AI is used
- List the fee and nontaxable-cost figures the motion would state, and who must receive notice of the motion. Do not write the notice.
- What the lawyer must review
- You decide the notice and whether the fee may be sought. In a certified class action, Rule 23(h) says the court may award reasonable attorney's fees and nontaxable costs that are authorized by law or by the parties' agreement. A claim for an award must be made by motion under Rule 54(d)(2), subject to Rule 23(h), at a time the court sets. Notice of the motion must be served on all parties and, for motions by class counsel, directed to class members in a reasonable manner. A class member, or a party from whom payment is sought, may object. The court may hold a hearing and must find the facts and state its legal conclusions under Rule 52(a). The court may refer issues related to the amount to a special master or a magistrate judge, as Rule 54(d)(2)(D) provides. Separately, when a proposal would bind class members, Rule 23(e)(2)(C)(iii) requires the court, in deciding whether the relief is adequate, to take into account the terms of any proposed award of attorney's fees, including timing of payment. These rules do not require disclosure of a third-party litigation funder. The tool does not decide that the fee is reasonable and does not write the notice.
- Written for / version
- United States versionUS
Who does what
| Role | What they do |
|---|---|
| Assistance | Consider narrowly defined preparation support after confirming the tool’s capability and permitted scope. |
| Lawyer | Set the scope, supervise the work closely, verify every part relied on, resolve omissions and exceptions, and approve the exact output. |
Checklist
- Trace every relied-on figure to its source, confirm dates and assumptions, and independently recalculate totals or derived amounts.
- Review operative clauses in the complete document, including definitions, cross-references, schedules and inconsistencies with the instructions.
- Confirm the output against the client’s instructions and the complete relevant source material, including omissions or contradictions.
- Resolve exceptions and record the responsible lawyer’s approval of the exact output and intended use.