Combined Fees/Costs In 2.0 And 3.0 Liter Class Actions Total $300 Million.
On Friday, July 21, 2017, U.S. District Judge Charles R. Breyer of the N.D. of California federal district court approved an award of attorney’s fee and expenses to class counsel as part of the Volkswagen 3.0-liter excess emissions class action settlement. The award was $121 million in fees and $4 million in costs/expenses. District Judge Breyer found class counsel obtained an exceptional result, awarding averaged fees of $462 per hour but with partners’ rates ranging from $250 – $1,650 per hour. He found that the award was reasonable because it was only 13.4% of the class benefits. When one combines the $175 million in fees and costs awarded in the prior 2.0-liter emissions settlement, the aggregate payout has been $300 million, comprised of $288 million in fees and $12 million in costs.