Local Rule LR 2016-1: Applications for Compensation for Services Rendered and Reimbursement of Expenses

LR 2016-1 Applications for Compensation for Services Rendered and Reimbursement of Expenses

(a) Content of application. Applications for compensation must provide all relevant information, including:

(1) A list of all attorneys, professionals, paraprofessionals, or other timekeepers performing services on the case, including any initials by which those individuals are identified on the invoices submitted, along with a description of the experience, length of professional practice, and billing rate for each.

(2) A chronological record of the time spent on the case that:

(A) Identifies the timekeeper who performed the service;

(B) States the time spent on each service or task in tenths of an hour;

(C) For each meeting, correspondence, or conference, identifies the subject matter and all parties with whom the timekeeper met or communicated; and

(D) Describes each document prepared and each hearing or trial attended for which the applicant seeks compensation.

(3) A summary of the total time expended by each timekeeper for whom the applicant seeks compensation.

(4) A detailed breakdown by item, date, and amount of all disbursements and expenses.

(5) If the application seeks compensation for more than one timekeeper performing the same task, including when more than one professional attends a hearing or meeting or produces work product, the application must provide a justification for the use of multiple timekeepers.

(6) A statement that identifies:

(A) Whether the applicant has applied for compensation in the case previously and, if so, the total amount of fees and expenses requested, as well as the date or docket number of all orders adjudicating those previous applications; and

(B) The total amount of fees and expenses that the applicant has received and any unpaid balance up through the date of the application.

(7) Receipts or other support for each disbursement or expense item for which reimbursement is sought must be retained and be made available upon request.

(b) Disallowance procedure in the absence of a hearing. The court may disallow, without prejudice and without a hearing, an applicant's request for fees and expenses if the request does not comply with this Local Rule. If the court so disallows compensation, the applicant may request a hearing within 14 days after the date on which the court entered the disallowance order or, within the same period, may file a new application that complies with this Local Rule for any portion of the disallowed compensation.

(c) Interim compensation. In addition to providing the information required under Fed. R. Bankr. P. 2016 and Local Rule 2016-1(a), applications for interim compensation must demonstrate that an allowance of interim compensation will not create an undue hardship on the debtor or the estate. Unless otherwise ordered, all interim compensation awards are contingent on entry of a final compensation award and all amounts paid based on an interim award are subject to recoupment until finally approved.

(d) Final compensation. Applications for final compensation must include a summary of all fees and expenses requested even if the court allowed those fees and expenses in an interim compensation order. An applicant does not need to file a detailed itemization of fees and expenses for which the applicant previously filed an itemization in a prior request for allowance of compensation. The final application must identify all amounts previously requested and amounts paid. Unless the court orders otherwise, the entry of an order finally awarding compensation and expenses to a professional engaged by a trustee or committee concludes that engagement.

(e) Proposed orders. Unless otherwise ordered, if no one timely objects to the application, the applicant must file a proposed order granting the application no later than fourteen days after the objection period ends. The proposed order must separately state (1) total fees and total expenses awarded by the order and (2) total fees and expenses awarded to the applicant during the entire case.