Exhibit A 

 

Case:17-03283-LTS Doc#:2645-1 Filed:03/01/18 Entered:03/01/18 18:15:45 Desc:

 Exhibit A thru C Page 1 of 22
In re: The Financial Oversight and Management Board for Puerto Rico, as a representative of

The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, et al.

PROMESA Title III No. 17 BK 3283-LTS

Applicant Compensation Period Interim Fees Requested 

 Fee Examiner's 

Recommended 

Fee 

Adjustments 

 Interim 

Expenses 

Requested 

 Fee Examiner's 

Recommended 

Expense 

Adjustments 

Voluntary 

Discounts

R

1 Ernst & Young LLP [Dkt. No. 2036] 5/3/2017 - 9/30/2017 1,169,699.80 $ 33,230.32 $ 4,910.69 $ 839.80 $ yes 

$ 

2 Deloitte Financial Advisory Services LLP [Dkt. No. 2061 & 2149] 5/3/2017 - 9/30/2017 6,647,370.29 $ 46,329.31 $ 441,830.04 $ 9,309.35 $ yes 

$ 

3 Cancio, Nadal, Rivera & Diaz, PSC [Dkt. No. 2135] 7/1/2017 - 9/30/2017 220,295.00 $ - $ 701.27 $ - $ - 

$ 

4 Luskin Stern & Eisler LLP [Dkt. No. 2077] 5/3/2017 - 9/30/2017 324,975.50 $ 16,628.43 $ 2,172.59 $ 71.95 $ - 

$ 

5-a O'Melveny & Myers LLP [Dkt. No. 2062] 5/3/2017 - 9/30/2017 9,990,147.15 $ 262,924.65 $ FN1 $ 11,037.76 184,126.63 $ FN2 yes 

$ 

5-b O'Melveny & Myers LLP [Dkt. No. 2063] 5/5/2017 - 9/30/2017 2,782,774.28 $ 48,206.98 $ yes 

$ 

5-c O'Melveny & Myers LLP [Dkt. No. 2064] 5/21/2017 - 9/30/2017 1,272,965.00 $ 19,854.00 $ yes 

$ 

5-d O'Melveny & Myers LLP [Dkt. No. 2065] 5/21/2017 - 9/30/2017 2,028,863.49 $ 67,533.13 $ yes 

$ 

6-a Law Offices of Andres W. Lopez, PSC [Dkt. No. 2096] 5/3/2017 - 9/30/2017 59,360.00 $ - $ 200.00 $ - $ - 

$ 

6-b Law Offices of Andres W. Lopez, PSC [Dkt. No. 246 17- 3284] 5/5/2017 - 9/30/2017 15,890.00 $ - $ - $ - $ - 

$ 

6-c Law Offices of Andres W. Lopez, PSC [Dkt. No. 241 17- 3566] 5/21/2017 - 9/30/2017 5,425.00 $ - $ - $ - $ - 

$ 

6-d Law Offices of Andres W. Lopez, PSC [Dkt. No. 356 17- 3567] 5/21/2017 - 9/30/2017 24,080.00 $ - $ - $ - $ - 

$ 

7-a Greenberg Traurig, LLP [Dkt. No. 2112] 7/2/2017 - 9/30/2017 2,037,466.72 $ 59,410.11 $ 23,832.82 $ 12,571.62 $ yes 

$ 

7-b Greenberg Traurig, LLP [Dkt. No. 2111] 7/2/2017 - 9/30/2017 1,356,635.10 $ 57,025.81 $ yes 

$ 

8 Bettina M. Whyte [Dkt. No. 2097] 8/3/2017 - 9/30/2017 264,460.00 $ 15,273.50 $ FN3 $ 4,615.70 21,392.86 $ FN4 - 

$ 

9 Klee, Tuchin, Bogdanoff & Stern LLP [Dkt. No. 2099] 7/31/2017 - 9/30/2017 592,705.00 $ 40,509.85 $ FN5 $ 935.22 11,133.88 $ - 

$ 

10 Nilda M. Navarro-Cabrer [Dkt. No. 2038] 8/16/2017 - 9/30/2017 35,962.50 $ - $ 431.50 $ - $ - 

$ 

11 Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP [Dkt. No. 2031] 8/3/2017 - 9/30/2017 4,661,711.75 $ 239,719.34 $ FN6 $ 75,026.77 158,974.01 $ FN7,8 yes 

$ 

12 Paul Hastings LLP [Dkt. No. 2040] 6/26/2017 - 9/30/2017 $ 9,345,478.50 $ 80,766.01 FN9 $ 133,270.22 $ 21,926.16 yes $ 

First Interim Fee Period Uncontested Fees

Puerto Rico Counsel to the Puerto Rico Fiscal Agency and Financial Advisory Authority - ERS docketFinancial Advisors to Debtors Financial Advisors to Debtors Puerto Rico Bankruptcy Counsel to PREPASpecial Counsel to DebtorsCounsel to the Puerto Rico Fiscal Agency and Financial Advisory AuthorityCounsel to the Puerto Rico Fiscal Agency and Financial Advisory Authority - COFINACounsel to the Puerto Rico Fiscal Agency and Financial Advisory Authority - ERSCounsel to the Puerto Rico Fiscal Agency and Financial Advisory Authority - HTAPuerto Rico Counsel to the Puerto Rico Fiscal Agency and Financial Advisory AuthorityPuerto Rico Counsel to the Puerto Rico Fiscal Agency and Financial Advisory Authority - COFINA docketPuerto Rico Counsel to the Puerto Rico Fiscal Agency and Financial Advisory Authority - HTA docketBankruptcy Counsel to the Puerto Rico Fiscal Agency and Financial Advisory Authority, as fiscal agent for PREPABankruptcy Counsel to PREPACOFINA AgentSpecial Municipal Bankruptcy Counsel to COFINA AgentPuerto Rico Counsel to COFINA AgentBankruptcy Counsel to COFINA AgentBankruptcy Counsel to the Official Committee of Unsecured CreditorsPuerto Rico Counsel to the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors

 18209406.1 

Case:17-03283-LTS Doc#:2645-1 Filed:03/01/18 Entered:03/01/18 18:15:45 De

 Exhibit A thru C Page 2 of 22
In re: The Financial Oversight and Management Board for Puerto Rico, as a representative of

The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, et al.

PROMESA Title III No. 17 BK 3283-LTS

Applicant Compensation Period Interim Fees Requested 

 Fee Examiner's 

Recommended 

Fee 

Adjustments 

 Interim 

Expenses 

Requested 

 Fee Examiner's 

Recommended 

Expense 

Adjustments 

Voluntary 

Discounts

R

First Interim Fee Period Uncontested Fees

13 O'Neill & Gilmore Law Office LLC [Dkt. No. 2070] 5/3/2017 - 9/30/2017 43,510.50 $ 2,445.00 $ 4,969.54 $ - $ yes 

$ 

14 Casillas, Santiago & Torres, LLC [Dkt. No. 2079] 7/21/2017 - 8/31/2017 169,523.00 $ (3,917.00) $ 6,320.62 $ - $ - 

$ 

15 Zolfo Cooper, LLC [Dkt. No. 2041] 6/27/2017 - 9/30/2017 2,641,266.75 $ 55,092.08 $ FN10 $ 2,424.39 38,372.69 $ yes 

$ 

16 Jenner & Block LLP [Dkt. No. 2050] 6/16/2017 - 9/30/2017 2,051,975.37 $ 20,979.25 $ 60,916.21 $ 430.50 $ yes 

$ 

17 Marchand ICS Group [Dkt. No. 2048] 7/21/2017 - 9/30/2017 11,946.50 $ - $ 497.88 $ - $ - 

$ 

18 Segal Consulting [Dkt. No. 2049] 6/27/2017 - 9/30/2017 223,475.00 $ - $ 5,305.47 $ - $ - 

$ 

19 FTI Consulting, Inc. [Dkt. No. 2051] 6/27/2017 - 9/30/2017 660,431.00 $ 2,185.00 $ 5,298.34 $ 225.99 $ - 

$ 

20 Phoenix Management Services, LLC [Dkt. No. 2071] 8/4/2017 - 10/1/2017 774,101.00 $ 3,618.75 $ 28,561.25 $ 1,258.80 $ - 

$ 

21 Retiree Committee Members [Dkt. No. 2052] 6/15/2017 - 9/30/2017 - $ 1,052.94 $ FN11 - 

$ 

22 Drivetrain, LLC [Dkt. No. 2042] 6/15/2017 - 9/30/2017 - $ 3,135.54 $ - $ - 

$ 

Pension Consultant to FOMB

23 Pension Trustee Advisors, Inc. [Dkt. No. 2574] 7/29/2017 - 9/30/2017 28,901.25 $ 3,824.63 $ 4,214.88 $ 3,496.54 $ - 

$ 

Sub-Totals $ 879,019.23 49,441,395.45 $ 1,334,241.79 $ 144,170.55 $ 

$ 

FN11 - Of this amount, $128.59 has been deferred for consideration in connection with the second interim fee period.FN6 - These recommended adjustments do not include $299,854. 20 in fees incurred prior to the appointment of the COFINA Agent on which, as discussed at pages 14 and 15 of the Fee Examiner's report, the Fee Examiner has 

the Court.FN7 - These recommended adjustments do not include $11,526.89 in expenses incurred prior to the appointment of the COFINA Agent on which, as discussed at pages 14 and 15 of the Fee Examiner's report, the Fee Examiner h

the Court.FN8 - These recommended adjustments are without prejudice to the professional's rigt to re-submit certain expenses with complete documentation for re-evaluation in a subsequent fee period.FN10 - The Fee Examiner recommends that the stipulated fee reductions identified on this Exhibit, other than $1,496.00 for identified and acknowledged billing errors, be included with the agreed overall 20 per cent reduction iof its final fee application.FN9 - The Fee Examiner recommends that the stipulated fee reductions identified on this Exhibit, other than $13,507.00 for identified billing errors, be included within the agreed overall 20 per cent reduction in total fees sough

application.FN1 - These recommended adjustments do not include $218,152.35 in pre-petition fees on which, as discussed at pages 14 and 15 of the Fee Examiner's report, the Fee Examiner has reserved his rights and seeks guidance from FN2 -These recommended adjustments do not include $18,410.00 in expense subject to further verification.FN3 - These recommended adjustments do not include $41,130 in fees incurred prior to the appointment of the COFINA Agent on which, as discussed at pages 14 and 15 of the Fee Examiner's report, the Fee Examiner has reser

Court.FN4 - These recommended adjustments do not include $5,102.57 in expenses incurred prior to the appointment of the COFINA Agent on which, as discssed at pages 14 and 15 of the Fee Examiner's report, the Fee Examiner has 

the Court.FN5 - These recommended adjustments do not include $66,578.50 in fees incurred prior to the appointment of the COFINA Agent on which, as discussed at pages 14 and 15 of the Fee Examiner's report, the Fee Examiner has reCourt.

Actuaries and Consultants to the Official Committee of Retired EmployeesFinancial Advisor to Official Committee of Unsecured CreditorsPuerto Rico Counsel to the Official Committee of Unsecured CreditorsFinancial Advisor to the Official Committee of Retired EmployeesFinancial Advisor to the Mediation TeamMembers of the Official Committee of Retired EmployeesMember of the Official Committee of Unsecured CreditorsBankruptcy Counsel to the Official Committee of Retired EmployeesInformation Agent for the Official Committee of Retired Employees

 18209406.1 

Case:17-03283-LTS Doc#:2645-1 Filed:03/01/18 Entered:03/01/18 18:15:45 De

 Exhibit A thru C Page 3 of 22
In re: The Financial Oversight and Management Board for Puerto Rico, as a representative of

The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, et al.

PROMESA Title III No. 17 BK 3283-LTS

First Interim Fee Period Unresolved

Applicant Compensation Period Interim Fees Requested 

 Fee Examiner's 

Recommended 

Fee 

Adjustments 

 Interim 

Expenses 

Requested 

 Fee Examiner's 

Recommended 

Expense 

Adjustments 

Voluntary 

Discounts

 Interim Fees 

Recommended fo

Approval 

1-a Proskauer Rose LLP [Dkt. No. 2068] 5/3/2017 - 9/30/2017 7,075,033.00 $ 233,148.09 $ yes deferre

1-b Proskauer Rose LLP [Dkt. No. 2043] 5/5/2017 - 9/30/2017 1,672,746.00 $ 16,605.84 $ yes deferre

1-c Proskauer Rose LLP [Dkt. No. 2045] 5/21/2017 - 9/30/2017 1,586,156.00 $ 24,131.76 $ yes deferre

1-d Proskauer Rose LLP [Dkt. No. 2053] 7/2/2017 - 9/30/2017 1,099,888.00 $ 67,275.25 $ yes deferre

1-e Proskauer Rose LLP [Dkt. No. 2066] 5/21/2017 - 9/30/2017 4,483,783.00 $ 154,512.19 $ yes deferre

2 O'Neill & Borges LLC [Dkt. No. 2075] 5/3/2017 - 9/30/2017 289,691.55 $ 20,863.50 $ yes deferre

3 McKinsey & Company, Inc. [Dkt. No.2073] 5/3/2017 - 9/30/2017 5,120,000.00 $ - $ - deferre

4 Andrew Wolfe [Dkt. No. 2259] 8/1/2017 - 9/30/2017 50,000.00 $ 7,526.14 $ - deferre

5-a Ankura Consulting Group, LLC [Dkt. No. 2148] 6/1/2017 - 9/30/2017 1,961,754.00 $ 63,804.29 $ - deferre

Financial Advisors to PREPA

5-b Ankura Consulting Group, LLC [Dkt. No. 2142] 7/2/2017 - 9/30/2017 2,260,252.50 $ 129,303.57 $ - deferre

Sub-Totals Unresolved 25,599,304.05 $ - $ 717,170.63 $ - $ - $ 

Sub-Totals Uncontested 49,441,395.45 $ 879,019.23 $ 1,334,241.79 $ 144,170.55 $ 48,562,376.2

$ 

Grand Totals $ 879,019.23 75,040,699.50 $ 2,051,412.42 $ 144,170.55 $ 48,562,376.2

$ 

Financial Advisors to the Puerto Rico Fiscal Agency and Financial Advisory Authority

Strategic Consultants to DebtorsIndependent Contractor to DebtorsBankruptcy Counsel to Debtors Bankruptcy Counsel to Debtors COFINABankruptcy Counsel to Debtors ERSBankruptcy Counsel to Debtors PREPABankruptcy Counsel to Debtors HTABankruptcy Counsel to Debtors

 18209406.1 

Case:17-03283-LTS Doc#:2645-1 Filed:03/01/18 Entered:03/01/18 18:15:45 De

 Exhibit A thru C Page 4 of 22
Exhibit B 

 

Case:17-03283-LTS Doc#:2645-1 Filed:03/01/18 Entered:03/01/18 18:15:45 Desc:

 Exhibit A thru C Page 5 of 22
MEMORANDUM 

TO: PROMESA Title III Professionals 

FROM: Brady Williamson, Fee Examiner 

DATE: November 10, 2017 

SUBJECT: Fee Review—Timeline and Process 

On November 8, 2017, the Court entered the First Amended Order Setting Procedures 

for Interim Compensation and Reimbursement of Expenses of Professionals [Dkt. No. 1715] (the 

“Interim Compensation Order”), moving the deadline for submitting first interim fee applications 

to December 15, 2017, except as noted below for professionals based in Puerto Rico.1

As you prepare your first interim fee submissions, this introductory memorandum will 

provide some additional guidance on the fee review process. It’s based, in part, on the 

experience gained in the Energy Future proceeding pending in Delaware and the Lehman 

Brothers proceeding in the Southern District of New York, where most of the 

PROMESA-Title III firms not based in Puerto Rico have practiced. The memorandum is also 

based on the U.S. Trustee Guidelines and an initial and cursory review of the limited number of 

monthly fee statements the Fee Examiner has received. 

As you know, the Court appointed the Fee Examiner on October 6, 2017, when it entered 

the Order Pursuant to PROMESA Sections 316 and 317 and Bankruptcy Code Section 105(A) 

Appointing a Fee Examiner and Related Relief [Dkt. No. 1416] (the “Fee Examiner Order”). 

That Order also anticipated the retention of Godfrey & Kahn, S.C. as counsel and EDGE Legal 

Strategies, P.S.C., subject to Court approval. See Application of Fee Examiner to Employ and 

Retain Godfrey & Kahn, S.C. as Counsel to the Fee Examiner Nunc Pro Tunc to October 6, 2017

[Dkt. No 1548]. 

You’ll receive memoranda like this one, periodically, providing updates on the review 

process and addressing common matters, questions, and concerns that arise. This process is 

collaborative and, to that end, we are always available for individual discussion. Please do not 

hesitate to contact us at any time to discuss fee applications or provide feedback as part of a 

productive and open dialogue with professionals. 

 

1

 As noted in the Fee Examiner’s filings and the Interim Compensation Order, any professional based in Puerto Rico 

may file a first interim fee application on or before November 15, 2017, noticed for Court consideration at the 

December 20, 2017 omnibus hearing. 

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 Exhibit A thru C Page 6 of 22
2 

This memorandum provides basic information about the initial timing of the fee 

examination process, the budget requirement, and instructions and suggestions on the process for 

submitting fee applications for review, including the substantive standards that apply. The goal 

is a constructive and collaborative process that, recognizing and reserving everyone’s rights, 

makes it less onerous for the Court to review and approve professional fee applications 

efficiently and promptly. As of today, no professional has submitted an interim fee application, 

though we have received Monthly Fee Statements and data from some firms. 

Schedule 

Pursuant to the Interim Compensation Order, the schedule for the Fee Examiner’s process 

is outlined below: 

Fee Period First Interim

May 3, 2017 – 

September 30, 

2017 

Second Interim

October 1, 2017 

– January 31, 

2018 

Third Interim

February 1, 

2018 – May 31, 

2018 

Fourth Interim

June 1, 2018 – 

September 30, 

2018 

End of Interim 

Compensation 

Period 

September 30, 

2017 

January 31, 

2018 

May 31, 2018 September 30, 

2018 

Interim Fee 

Applications 

Due 

December 15, 

2017 

March 19, 2018 July 16, 2018 November 16, 

2018 

Initial Letter 

Report to 

Retained 

Professionals 

February 15, 

2018 

May 18, 2018 September 14, 

2018 

January 14, 

2019 

Final 

(Summary) 

Report Filed 

February 28, 

2018 (or 7 days 

prior to 

scheduled 

hearing date) 

May 30, 2018 

(or 7 days prior 

to scheduled 

hearing date) 

7 days prior to 

scheduled 

hearing date 

7 days prior to 

scheduled 

hearing date 

Estimated 

Hearing Date 

March 7, 2018 

(Omnibus 

Hearing) or an 

earlier date as 

ordered by the 

Court 

June 6, 2018 

(Omnibus 

Hearing) or an 

earlier date as 

ordered by the 

Court 

Mid-October Mid-February 

Budgets 

Retained Professionals should provide a non-binding, confidential budget for each month 

beginning with January 2018. Please submit budgets no later than the 15th of the month prior to 

the budgeted month. Budgets should be e-mailed directly to the Fee Examiner, counsel, and the 

U.S. Trustee. These budgets—which are prospective—are advisory only. Budgets should be 

substantially in the format of Attachment A, setting forth an estimate of the projected fees and 

expenses for each month, a general description of the categories of anticipated services, and an 

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 Exhibit A thru C Page 7 of 22
3 

explanation for any significant increase over the previous month’s fees. These are budgets—not 

caps, not minimums, not maximums—submitted and reviewed in good faith. 

Fee Review Criteria 

The Fee Examiner Order provides, among other things, that the Fee Examiner shall 

determine whether requested fees and expenses comply with: 

1. PROMESA sections 316 and 317; 

2. Rule 2016-2 of the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure; 

3. The Local Bankruptcy Rules; 

4. The Interim Compensation Order [and First Amended Interim Compensation 

Order]; and 

5. The Guidelines for Reviewing Applications for Compensation and Reimbursement 

of Expenses Filed Under 11 U.S.C. § 330 by Attorneys in Larger Chapter 11 

Cases Effective as of November 1, 2013 (the “U.S. Trustee Guidelines”). 

Initial Points 

The Guidelines that follow are just that, guidelines and not rigid rules. On the face of the 

guidelines or as applied in the reports that you will receive, the process invites dialogue. 

Particularly in light of the hurricane, the approach to fee submission and review that has proven 

practical and effective elsewhere may well require adaptation. Just appointed on October 6, 

2017, the Fee Examiner is well aware that a significant amount of professionals’ work will have 

occurred prior to this memorandum. While these parameters are generally consistent with the 

requirements of PROMESA and the U.S. Trustee Guidelines, and accordingly considered 

standard bankruptcy billing practice, in some instances strict compliance may not be possible. 

Please try to conform your fee and expense requests to the guidelines below, keeping in mind 

that significant deviations from the requested formats may result in a delay in processing the 

application. 

A number of firms have submitted monthly applications pursuant to the Interim 

Compensation Order. With some exceptions, it will not be our practice to object to monthly 

statements, in whole or in part. Yet an initial assessment of the monthly statements suggests 

prospective problems—for example, with vague and incomplete descriptions of the services 

provided (e.g., “analyze bankruptcy issues” and “miscellaneous emails” or “attention to...”) or 

non-compensable administrative work. On expenses, it is already clear that transportation and 

meal charges will raise questions. One of the reasons we’ve asked to defer the due date for the 

initial interim compensation applications is to provide everyone with the opportunity to conform 

their billing practices to the standards. 

Many firms increase rates at the beginning of the calendar year and, in addition, during 

the calendar year—whether characterized as “step increases” for associates or as “general” or 

“across the board rate increases.” Rate increases, no less than the basic hourly rate itself, 

whether or not discounted for the circumstances here, are subject to the reasonableness standard. 

While the market rate for professional services in a difficult and complex case like this is always 

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 Exhibit A thru C Page 8 of 22
4 

a factor in setting and reviewing rates, it is not the only factor. That is especially true in the 

extraordinary environment—legal and practical—of these proceedings. The length of these 

proceedings cannot be predicted or projected, at least at this point, but rate increases proposed by 

firms here should be given careful consideration by the professionals before they are submitted 

as part of the monthly or interim fee process. 

 

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 Exhibit A thru C Page 9 of 22
5 

GUIDELINES 

Contents of Interim and Final Fee Applications 

Based upon the criteria outlined in the Fee Examiner Order and on the Fee Examiner’s 

experience, each interim fee application should disclose: 

1. Whether the applicant is seeking compensation under PROMESA sections 316 

and 317 or another authority; 

2. A summary of the terms and conditions of the Retained Professional’s 

employment and compensation, including a statement consistent with Bankruptcy 

Rule 2016 and, for the first application, a copy of the engagement letter; 

3. Identification of all professionals who billed time during the relevant period, 

including each professional’s billing rates and year of bar admission; 

4. A list of all rate increases of any kind—including rate increases due to increasing 

seniority—by timekeeper and amount, proposed by the Retained Professional 

since it began working on these cases; 

5. A statement that the Retained Professional’s client has (or has not) explicitly 

consented to all rate increases; 

6. The precise time period covered by the application; 

7. Time and service entries in the appropriate electronic format, discussed below, 

identifying participants, activities, and subject matters, arranged by specific 

project categories, including brief narrative summaries of each project and its 

benefit to the estate (non-working travel time should be a specific project 

category);2

8. Time entries, in tenths of an hour, without “lumping” services together unless the 

aggregate amount of time spent for those lumped services does not exceed 

0.5 hours; 

9. Explanations of tasks involving multiple individuals and the contributions of each 

individual; and 

 

2

 Electronic data should mirror precisely the amounts sought in the interim or final fee application. If write-offs or 

other adjustments are made to the timekeeping, in the exercise of billing judgment, the electronic data will need to 

reflect those adjustments. Data submitted on time, complete and consistent with the amounts requested in the 

application, are all essential to the schedule outlined above. 

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 Exhibit A thru C Page 10 of 22
6 

10. A detailed itemization of actual, necessary expenses. 

Means of Service Upon the Fee Examiner 

Interim Fee Applications, supporting data, and budgets should be provided in the 

appropriate electronic format (described below) by e-mail to adalton@gklaw.com, 

kstadler@gklaw.com, and bwilliam@gklaw.com. In addition, please provide supporting data to 

the Office of the U.S. Trustee by e-mail to Guy.Gebhardt@usdoj.gov. To minimize expense, 

please do not serve hard copies of fee applications and supporting materials. Expenses for 

duplicating or mailing fee application materials will be recommended for disallowance. 

Electronic Data Format for Billing and Expense Detail 

All fee and expense detail should be submitted only in electronic format. YOU NEED 

NOT PROVIDE PAPER COPIES OF BILLS OR INVOICES.

1. For law firms: simultaneously with the submission of any interim or final fee 

application, please provide electronic versions of any billing information in 

unedited LEDESTM (Legal Electronic Data Exchange Standard) file format. 

2. For non-law firms: simultaneously with the submission of any interim or final fee 

application, Retained Professionals other than law firms should provide electronic 

versions of any billing information in Excel format using the fields and formats 

outlined on the attached Required Format for the Submission of Fee Requests by 

Professionals Other Than Law Firms. 

3. In the event that any documentation accompanying an Interim Fee Application 

contains internal codes, which could assist in evaluating the Interim Fee 

Application (such as codes for fee, project or expense categories), the professional 

should submit an explanation of how the codes relate to any fee, project or 

expense categories. 

4. When submitting a summary or cover sheet of all individuals who billed time in 

the Interim Fee Application, the summary should list the individuals 

alphabetically by last name within their particular category (e.g., all partners 

should be listed alphabetically). 

Expenses 

The parameters set forth here are not hard and fast rules, and the Fee Examiner will 

consider atypical reimbursement requests that are actual and necessary, especially in light of the 

hurricane and its aftermath. With that in mind, the review and analysis generally will follow 

these principles: 

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 Exhibit A thru C Page 11 of 22
7 

Overhead and Administrative Charges 

• In general, overhead and administrative expenses are not reimbursable, nor are 

infrastructure improvements, rent, utilities, office equipment, furnishings, insurance, 

custodial fees, internal storage fees, and property taxes. 

• Internal photocopying and printing are reimbursable at 10 cents per page for black 

and white and, where color copies are necessary, 50 cents per page. Please provide 

vendor invoices for outside photocopying projects. The initial monthly statements 

already reflect excessive copying charges. 

• Charges for internal printing, converting documents to electronic formats, scanning 

charges, and charges to convert and upload documents are not reimbursable. 

• Word processing, proofreading, secretarial and other support expenses are not 

reimbursable, nor overtime charges. 

• Telephone charges—including cellular phone fees and subscriptions, text fees, data 

fees, and roaming charges, other than actual charges for multi-party calls incurred by 

counsel in connection with the cases—are not reimbursable. 

• Subscription, publication, or library charges are not reimbursable, nor office supplies. 

Travel Expenses

• Neither the time nor travel expenses associated with traveling to other offices within a 

professional’s own firm are reimbursable—except for travel to attend hearings, client 

or third party meetings, or to prepare for them. Meetings should be conducted 

telephonically or by video conference wherever possible. 

• Clothing, dry-cleaning, accessories, and travel sundries are not reimbursable. 

• Local travel expenses (train, bus, subway, mileage, car service, taxi) to or from a 

professional’s home are not reimbursable unless a professional has worked at least 

four hours on these cases on the day for which the expense is sought and works after 

9:00 p.m. local time on these cases. 

• For travel to or from airports, the maximum allowable amounts are outlined below. 

In each instance, they represent charges from a city center to an appropriate airport: 

San Juan $75.00

New York $100.00

Chicago $ 75.00

San Francisco $100.00

Los Angeles $100.00

Other Cities $ 75.00

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 Exhibit A thru C Page 12 of 22
8 

• While professionals are free to travel in any manner they wish, the Fee Examiner will 

not recommend reimbursement for first class travel. Please provide receipts for any 

travel expense exceeding $300.00. 

• Tips or other service charges are reimbursable only if part of another itemized 

expense (for example, taxi or car service gratuity included on the receipt). 

Documented wait staff tips are reimbursable up to the applicable expense caps 

outlined below. Housekeeping, valet, concierge, and bell services tips are not 

reimbursable. 

• Hotel expenses should be limited to reasonable market rates for the locale, but will 

not be reimbursed above $500.00 for New York City and Washington, D.C., $350.00 

for all other continental locations, and $300.00 for Puerto Rico. Taxes, service fees, 

and other charges are included in the reimbursement caps. Health or athletic 

facilities, in-room movies, or other entertainment charges are not reimbursable. In 

addition, in-room dining or other hotel food and beverage charges are subject to the 

meal guidelines in this memorandum. 

Meals 

• In-office meals are capped at $20.00 per person per meal and are reimbursable if: 

o The professional attends a necessary lunch-hour business meeting; or 

o The professional works on these cases after 8:00 p.m. and has worked more 

than four hours on these cases during the billing day for which meal 

reimbursement is sought. 

• Coffee and snack charges are not reimbursable unless charged in lieu of in office 

meals allowable under the above-stated guideline. 

• All catering orders must be supported by receipts or invoices. Catering invoices 

(internal and external) must indicate both the number of persons actually attending a 

business meeting and the amount charged per person. 

• Out-of-office meals are capped at $40.00 per person per meal, reimbursable only if 

the professional has travelled to prepare for or attend a hearing, client or third party 

meeting, or other event. If a professional’s attendance at a hearing, meeting, or other 

event is unnecessary, the Fee Examiner will recommend both the professional’s fees 

and associated travel and meal expenses for disallowance. 

• Regardless of the number of attendees, please provide receipts for any single meal 

costing more than $200.00 in the aggregate. 

• Alcohol is never reimbursable. 

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Note that the meal reimbursement cap is not a per diem. Applicants may be reimbursed for 

either the actual cost of the meal, or the reimbursement cap, whichever is less. 

Other Expenses 

• Contract attorneys are reimbursable at their actual cost (that is, the rate charged by the 

agency or other provider placing the attorneys) without markup. Professionals should 

submit detailed billing statements for all contract attorneys, who are subject to the 

same standards of review for detail, accuracy and, ultimately, reasonableness as any 

other professional. 

• In general, Retained Professionals should not submit reimbursement requests for any 

other firm’s professional (legal, financial advisory, investment banking, or 

accounting) services. If retention terms allow for sub-retentions, contract 

professionals must nonetheless submit detailed billing statements. All professional 

fees are subject to the same standards of review for detail, accuracy and, ultimately, 

reasonableness. 

• Charges for electronic research services (Westlaw, Lexis-Nexis) should be 

accompanied by a general description of the research performed. Please include 

invoices for research expenses with your submission. 

• Expenses related to seeking committee or other representation (pitching) are not 

reimbursable, nor is client entertainment. 

• Expenses incurred prior to the Retained Professional’s nunc pro tunc retention date 

are not reimbursable unless otherwise permitted by the Court’s order authorizing the 

Retained Professional’s employment. 

• Please provide receipts for all unusual or extraordinary expenses. 

Please note that this list is not meant to be exhaustive, nor does it preclude individual 

explanations for unusual items—any of which may meet the section 316 and 317 standards or 

those suggested by the U.S. Trustee Guidelines and local rules. These general statements reflect 

the Fee Examiner’s starting point for expense review, not its conclusion. 

Fee Examiner Analysis of Billing Detail 

The Fee Examiner’s review is both quantitative and qualitative, including, at a minimum 

and without limitation, examining: 

The hourly rates charged: 

• Ensure that billing rates for each professional are the rates approved in 

the applicable engagement agreement, retention order, or supplement; 

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• Evaluate reasonableness of rates and the time spent in relation to the 

nature and character of the work and each professional’s role and 

experience; 

• Calculate blended rates; 

• Evaluate multiple rates billed to particular projects; and, 

• Eliminate charges for work performed by law students, clerks, or 

summer associates. 

Hours billed: 

• Evaluate hours billed against any limitations in the engagement 

agreement or retention order; 

• Analyze average billable hours each day and identify extended periods 

of above average billing days; 

• Calculate fees or billable hours for preparation of firm retention 

documents and fee applications as a percentage of total fees and 

hours—time spent preparing and editing time records is never 

compensable, nor is time spent preparing monthly fee statements 

(which should be minimal); 

• Evaluate legal research to determine whether it is being conducted 

appropriately and at the lowest appropriate rate; 

• Review clerical and administrative tasks to determine either the 

propriety of the billing rate for the task or whether the task is 

non-compensable; 

• Ensure that time is billed in one-tenth of an hour increments unless a 

retention order permits another time increment; 

• Identify vague task descriptions that do not permit a reviewer to 

determine the task’s necessity; 

• Identify improperly “lumped” or “block billed time”; 

• Ensure the use of properly segregated matter numbers for project 

categories, generally consistent with the following: 

o Debtor financing and cash collateral 

o Communications with creditors/debtors 

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o Asset sales 

o Asset analysis and valuation 

o Due diligence-analysis of loan and other security documents 

o Lift stay or adequate protection matters 

o Assumption and rejection of leases or executory contracts 

o Avoidance actions (significant avoidance actions should have 

their own matter identifier) 

o Budgeting 

o Business operations 

o Case administration 

o Claims and claims objections 

o Governance matters 

o Retention applications and disclosures-self 

o Retention applications and disclosures-others 

o Fee applications-self 

o Fee applications-others 

o Litigation (each litigation matter should have its own matter 

identifier) 

o Non-working travel 

o Plan and disclosure statement 

o Tax issues (individual governmental entity audits should have 

their own matter identifiers) 

• Identify meetings, hearings, or other events attended by an excessive 

number of timekeepers given the nature of the hearing or meeting and 

the necessity of multiple attendees; 

• Ensure that non-working travel is billed only at 50 percent of the 

timekeeper’s standard hourly rate; 

• Identify all calculation or billing errors; 

• Identify instances of duplication or overlap in work performed by 

multiple Retained Professionals; 

• Ensure that tasks are appropriately delegated to the professional with 

the lowest suitable billing rate for the task performed; 

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• Evaluate time spent monitoring or overseeing others’ work without 

substantial contribution to work product; and 

• Waiting time or “standby time” is not reimbursable. 

Fee Examiner Contacts 

We look forward to working you and trust that this memorandum will begin an open and 

productive dialogue with professionals subject to the Fee Examiner Order. The Fee Examiner 

and counsel can be reached using the contact information below. Please do not hesitate to 

contact the Fee Examiner’s counsel if you have comments, questions or concerns about the fee 

review process. 

Attorney: Katherine Stadler 

kstadler@gklaw.com

Data Specialist/Attorney: W. Andrew Dalton 

adalton@gklaw.com

Paralegal: Kathleen Boucher 

kboucher@gklaw.com

Fee Examiner

Brady C. Williamson 

bwilliamson@gklaw.com

Office: (608) 284-2636 (direct) 

Office: (608) 257-3199 (main) 

Cell: (414) 510-9049 

Godfrey & Kahn, S.C. 

1 East Main Street, Suite 500 

P.O. Box 2719 

Madison, WI 53701-2719 

Phone: (608) 257-3911 

17979371.2 

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Exhibit C 

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Required Format for the Submission of Fee Requests by Professionals Other Than Law Firms

Note: The fields below are the minimum required; additional data fields may be provided. 

FEES

FIELD: INVOICE NUMBER MATTER NAME DATE TIMEKEEPER NAME POSITION/TITLE HOURLY RATE HOURS FEES FORMAT: any any YYYYMMDD Last, First text currency number currency EXAMPLES: GK012537-001 DIP Financing 20170521 Jordan, Michael J. Analyst $325 0.6 $195.00

Revise EFIH D

GK012539-107 Court Attendance 20170709 Embry, Elizabeth Managing Director $850 2.3 $1,955.00 Attend 

EXPENSES

FIELD: INVOICE NUMBER MATTER NAME DATE

NAME OF 

TIMEKEEPER WHO 

INCURRED EXPENSE EXPENSE CATEGORY UNIT COST # OF UNITS TOTAL 

FORMAT: any any YYYYMMDD Last, First text currency number currency EXAMPLES: GK012537-001 Corporate Governance 20170527 Smith, John Photocopies $0.10 128 $12.80 Photoc

GK012539-107 Hearings 20170719 Jones, Samantha Airfare $489.23

Airfare Dallas/hearing

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