Court Reverses Attorney Fee Award in Walmart Worker’s Labor Case

A district court failed to give a “concise but clear” explanation for the calculation it used in awarding more than $300,000 in attorney fees and costs to a Sam’s Club employee, a federal appeals court said, vacating the award and remanding the case.

The Ninth Circuit found that the employee—Claudia Alvarado, who worked for the Walmart-owned company—is entitled to seek fees under Hensley v. Eckerhart, a 1983 decision that allows plaintiffs with limited legal success to recover fees for work tied to related case items.

However, “the district court failed to provide an adequate explanation for its award,” ...