Opinion ID: 215442
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The amount of the fee award

Text: CAFRA does not specify precisely how fee awards should be calculated. The statute simply provides that the government is liable for reasonable attorney fees and other litigation costs reasonably incurred by the claimant. 28 U.S.C. § 2465(b)(1)(A). This court has not yet addressed the proper method of determining a fee award under CAFRA. Other courts have used the lodestar method to determine the amount to be awarded under CAFRA. See U.S. v. One Star Class Sloop Sailboat, 546 F.3d 26, 37-8 (1st Cir.2008); U.S. v. $60,201.00 in U.S. Currency, 291 F.Supp.2d 1126, 1129-1130 (C.D.Cal.2003). In this case UMCC proposes that its fees be determined that way, but the government argues that the lodestar approach should not be used and that the fee should primarily be based on the actual agreement between UMCC and its attorney. UMCC has declined to make its fee agreement available, and the government asks that its production be ordered. The lodestar approach is the method customarily used to determine attorney fees under fee-shifting statutes. See Blanchard v. Bergeron, 489 U.S. 87, 93-94, 109 S.Ct. 939, 103 L.Ed.2d 67 (1989) (the lodestar method determines the statutory fee award under 42 U.S.C. § 1988); Nadarajah v. Holder, 569 F.3d 906, 916 (9th Cir.2009) (EAJA). We see no reason to depart from that approach under CAFRA and conclude that the lodestar method should be used in calculating fees in this case. That does not mean that the actual fee agreement cannot be relevant to the fee determination. Under § 1988 and EAJA, the actual fee agreement does not act as a cap on the amount of statutory attorney fees awarded. See Blanchard, 489 U.S. at 93-94, 109 S.Ct. 939; Corder v. Gates, 947 F.2d 374, 377-78 (9th Cir.1991); Nadarajah, 569 F.3d. at 916. However, the agreement can be considered when determining a reasonable fee under the lodestar approach. See Blanchard, 489 U.S. at 93, 109 S.Ct. 939; Corder, 947 F.2d at 377-8. We see no reason to depart from this practice in the CAFRA context, either. UMCC is required to disclose its agreement with its attorney. This matter is referred to the Appellate Commissioner for the purpose of determining the amount of reasonable attorney fees and other litigation costs reasonably incurred by UMCC, consistent with this order. The Appellate Commissioner may issue an order awarding fees and other litigation costs. Any such order is subject to a motion for reconsideration by this panel. See Circuit Rule 39-1.9.