Judge Rejects $85 Million Fee Request in Google Case
A federal judge denied private attorneys’ request for a payout from a $630 million Google antitrust settlement.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in eSports
Live Poll
Should private lawyers receive millions in fees from settlements when consumer results are limited?
Judge James Donato denied a request by private lawyers for $85 million in legal fees from a consumer settlement fund against Google. The court ruled that the attorneys failed to provide sufficient billing records to justify the payment.
Why it matters
The ruling underscores the court's scrutiny regarding legal fees, as the judge noted that attorneys for Epic Games did the primary work establishing liability. This decision prevents consumer lawyers from collecting a large portion of the settlement without proper documentation.
Private lawyers requested $85 million, or 13.5% of the total $630 million settlement fund designated for consumers who made Google Play Store purchases between August 2016 and September 2023.
The players
James Donato
He is a United States District Judge for the Northern District of California who oversees high-profile antitrust litigation.
This technology company is a major provider of internet services and operates the Google Play Store for Android mobile devices.
Epic Games
This video game developer and publisher successfully challenged Google's app distribution and payment processing policies in court.
The details
Judge Donato found the provided billing records inadequate to support the $85 million fee petition. The court must now determine whether work performed by counsel in the Epic Games trial, which established the core of Google's antitrust liability, should be compensated through this consumer-focused fund.
Timeline
2020: Private lawyers first sued Google on behalf of consumers.
2021: U.S. state attorneys general sued Google regarding monopoly practices.
August 2016 to September 2023: Purchases eligible for consumer restitution occurred.
October 15, 2026: Judge Donato issued the ruling denying the fee request.
November 13, 2026: Deadline for private lawyers to file an amended fee request.
Season Trajectory
The ruling follows the pattern set by the Epic Games antitrust trial verdict, which the judge cited as the primary driver of the liability findings used in this settlement. This decision impacts how legal costs are allocated across major antitrust battles involving app marketplaces.
The court's decision ensures that the $630 million settlement fund remains primarily for consumer restitution rather than legal costs. If the lawyers fail to justify their requested fees, more money may eventually remain available for distribution to eligible class members.
The takeaway
Courts are increasingly demanding clear evidence of how individual legal teams contribute to antitrust victories before awarding significant fees. Affected consumers should monitor court filings for updates on when the $630 million settlement fund will be distributed.
What happens next
Private lawyers must submit an amended fee request by November 13, 2026, which will serve as their final opportunity to seek compensation from the settlement fund.
Further reading
For broader context on current litigation in the gaming industry, read more at eSports.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Legal Newsline.
Live Poll
Should private lawyers receive millions in fees from settlements when consumer results are limited?
