Judge cuts football equal pay attorney fees from $6.6 million to $5.5 million

Player sued USSF in 2019 seeking damages under the federal Equal Pay Act and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act.

Klausner dismissed the equal pay claim in May 2020 but allowed the unfair working conditions claim to proceed. The sides settled on his working conditions portion in December, and the player filed a wage claim with the Ninth Circuit.

The two sides announced a $22 million settlement on February 22, including a $2 million fund to benefit players in their post-football careers and a payout that includes philanthropic efforts aimed at growing sport for women. announced.

Goaltender Hope Solo, who sued the USSF in 2018 for alleged violations of the Equal Pay Act and sex discrimination, filed a challenge in October over, in part, the proposed attorney’s fees. & Strawn.

Klausner gave final approval on December 12, but a decision on attorneys’ fees was postponed until January 4.

“The court determined that the $5.5 million award, representing 22% of the $22 million common fund, was reasonable and that the extraordinary circumstances did not justify an upward or downward deviation,” Klausner said. writing. “Class Counsel argue that the circumstances warrant an award of $6.6 million (30% of the fund), but the Court disagrees.

“Class Counsel allege that the eventual resolution of this case required a great deal of effort.Three years of reviewing documents, taking depositions, presenting substantive motions, and participating in mediation. , spent hours litigating the appeal, which it certainly did, but the amount of work required owes much to the fact that plaintiffs lost their equal pay claims on summary judgment.

“This fact refutes Class Counsel’s other claims of achieving exceptional results. Class Counsel undoubtedly succeeded, but not enough to deviate from the 25% benchmark.”

Klausner also awarded $1,369,127 in reimbursable costs to cover professional, meals, travel and paperwork, including $50,000 in anticipated settlement administration costs.

The USSF and its women’s and men’s players’ unions reached a landmark collective bargaining agreement in May to pay the men’s and women’s national teams equally, and the contract was signed in September.

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