District court’s award of $53,305.00 in attorney’s fees rather than plaintiffs’ attorney’s request for $140,290.00 in an action under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, is affirmed as the district court’s conclusion was not clearly erroneous in finding that, although the attorney negotiated a final settlement, it was inappropriate that a substantial portion of the hours billed were to compensate him for learning the area of the law, as he became involved so late in the case. 

Read Gastineau v. Wright, No. 09-1003

Appellate Information

Appeal from the United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana, Indianapolis Division

Decided January 15, 2010

Judges

Before:  Kanne and Tinder, Circuit Judges, and Griesbach, District Judge

Opinion by Circuit Judge Kanne

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