Worked example: attorney fee calculations in Connecticut

Example inputs

Run this scenario in DocketMath using the Attorney Fee calculator.

Below is a worked example of how DocketMath’s attorney-fee calculator models attorney fee calculations in Connecticut (US-CT). It uses a common structure: (1) identify recoverable time/fees, (2) check the timing rules for when a fee request must be brought, and (3) apply any limits that your fee agreement, contract, or court order imposes.

This post shows the mechanics using illustrative numbers only—not legal advice. Courts may apply additional factors depending on the underlying case and the source of the fee authorization (for example, contract, statute, settlement, or a court order).

Timing rule used in this example (Connecticut)

Connecticut has a general/default statute of limitations (SOL) period of 3 years for the general category covered here.

• Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-577a (general/default 3-year limitation for certain actions).
  Source: https://law.justia.com/codes/connecticut/title-52/chapter-926/section-52-577a/?utm_source=openai

Important: No claim-type-specific sub-rule was found for this worked example. So this example uses the 3-year general/default period as the default timing rule. If your matter falls under a different limitation period, the deadline can change.

Scenario setup (inputs)

Assume these facts (modeled for the calculator’s workflow):

• Case type: Civil matter with a fee request modeled as “attorney’s fees” under an authorization framework the calculator is meant to compute (the calculator does not analyze whether fees are legally recoverable; it focuses on how the numbers compute once time/rates/categories are entered).
• Work period: January 5, 2023 through August 20, 2023
• Fee request filing date: September 1, 2026
• Hours billed (attorney): 62.5 hours
• Blended hourly rate (attorney): $325/hr
• Paralegal/support hours: 10.0 hours at $125/hr (included in this model as recoverable support time)
• Costs (out-of-pocket): $1,900 (modeled as “costs”)

DocketMath inputs (example)

Use these as the calculator inputs:

• Hours (attorney): 62.5
• Attorney hourly rate: 325
• Hours (paralegal/support): 10.0
• Support hourly rate: 125
• Recoverable costs: 1900
• Fee request filed on: 2026-09-01
• Last work date: 2023-08-20

The calculator then produces outputs such as:

• Attorney fees subtotal
• Support time subtotal
• Total fees + costs
• SOL timing flag (based on whether the request falls within the modeled timing window)

Practical tip: The calculator can only reflect what you enter. If a court order or fee agreement restricts categories (for example, certain costs or support time), your totals may not match what is ultimately recoverable unless you adjust the inputs/categories accordingly.

Example run

Run the Attorney Fee calculator using the example inputs above. Review the breakdown for intermediate steps (segments, adjustments, or rate changes) so you can see how each input moves the output. Save the result for reference and compare it to your actual scenario.

1) Compute fee subtotals

Attorney fees

• 62.5 hours × $325/hr
• = $20,312.50

**Support/paralegal fees (modeled)

• 10.0 hours × $125/hr
• = $1,250.00

Costs

• Given = $1,900.00

2) Total

• Total fees (attorney + support)
  = $20,312.50 + $1,250.00
  = $21,562.50

• Total fees + costs
  = $21,562.50 + $1,900.00
  = $23,462.50

3) SOL timing check (Connecticut default)

This example applies the general/default 3-year SOL from Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-577a.

• Last work date (baseline in this model): 2023-08-20
• Three years later (modeled deadline): 2026-08-20
• Fee request filing date: 2026-09-01

Because 2026-09-01 is after 2026-08-20, the calculator’s modeled SOL timing check would flag:

• SOL status: Likely outside the 3-year general/default period under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-577a

Warning (timing trigger sensitivity): A SOL outcome can depend on what a court treats as the relevant triggering date for the fee request. This worked example uses “last work date” as the baseline strictly to demonstrate the calculator’s mechanics. Different triggering dates (or claim-specific limitations) can change the result.

4) Worked output summary table

5) Where the DocketMath tool fits

To run the same numbers yourself, use DocketMath’s attorney fee calculator at:
/tools/attorney-fee

That tool lets you stress-test the economics (hours/rates/costs) and the timing inputs (dates) to see how changes affect the total and the SOL timing flag.

Sensitivity check

Sensitivity checks show how the outputs change when you adjust common inputs.

To test sensitivity, change one high-impact input (like the rate, start date, or cap) and rerun the calculation. Compare the outputs side by side so you can see how small input shifts affect the result.

A) Hourly rate changes (same hours)

Hold hours constant (attorney 62.5; support 10.0), vary the attorney hourly rate:

Takeaway: With 62.5 attorney hours, each +$50/hr changes attorney fees by:

• 62.5 × $50 = $3,125
  and it changes total fees + costs by the same amount (because support and costs are held constant).

B) Hours changes (same blended rates)

Hold rates constant (attorney $325; support $125), vary attorney hours:

Takeaway: Each attorney hour at $325 moves attorney fees by $325, and (with support/costs fixed) moves total fees + costs by $325.

C) Timing changes (SOL flag sensitivity)

In this worked example, the modeled deadline is 2026-08-20, and the baseline filing date is 2026-09-01 (outside the modeled 3-year window).

Try two alternative filing dates:

Takeaway: Near the boundary, days matter—small date shifts can flip the calculator’s SOL timing flag.

D) Support time inclusion

If you set paralegal/support hours to 0 (support = $0 in the model), then:

• Baseline total fees + costs: $23,462.50
• Subtract support fees: $1,250.00
• New total: $22,212.50

Takeaway: Whether you include support time can materially affect the total—often as much as rate/hour changes.

Related reading

• Worked example: attorney fee calculations in Vermont — Worked example with real statute citations
• Attorney Fees Guide for Alaska
• Attorney Fees Guide for American Samoa