Ninth Circuit Awards McKennon Law Group PC Their Full Attorneys’ Fees and Costs, Without Any Reduction

In April 2015, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit upheld a ruling by District Court Judge Cormac J. Carney awarding a McKennon Law Group PC client his past-due ERISA long-term disability plan benefits, plus interest.  Following that decision, the McKennon Law Group filed a motion for attorneys’ fees and costs, which Sun Life Financial vigorously opposed.  However, the Ninth Circuit rejected every argument that Sun Life made in opposing the motion for fees and costs.  In reviewing the hourly rates charged by the McKennon Law Group and the time spent advocating on behalf of its client in the appeal, the Ninth Circuit determined that both were completely reasonable and appropriate.  Based on this finding, the Ninth Circuit ruled that the McKennon Law Group was entitled to 100% of the attorneys’ fees and costs incurred and applied for on the appeal.