What it is
A request asking the court to award attorney fees after a party wins under a fee-shifting statute, contract, rule, settlement, or other authority. The motion separates who won from how much the losing side may have to pay for legal work.
Post-trial
Motion for Attorney Fees
Asks the court to award attorney fees under a statute, contract, rule, or judgment.
When it's used
Filed after judgment, settlement approval, injunction, remand, sanctions, or another event that creates fee entitlement. Civil-rights, wage, consumer, copyright, patent, and contract cases often include fee motions.
What the other side does
The opponent challenges entitlement, hourly rates, hours billed, billing judgment, degree of success, block billing, duplication, or whether particular work was necessary.
Common outcomes
The court may award requested fees, reduce rates or hours, deny entitlement, or order supplemental briefing. Fee litigation can continue after the merits end.
Not legal advice. Motion practice varies by court,
judge, and case type. Local rules and standing orders frequently
modify the federal defaults shown here. If you're facing a motion
or considering filing one, talk to a lawyer about strategy and
timing for your specific case.