Rule 2.626.Attorney Fees

Current through May 1, 2026 · Last verified July 6, 2026

In one sentenceRule 2.626 lets an award of attorney fees in Michigan include the time and labor of a legal assistant who provided nonclerical, attorney-supervised legal support, provided that legal assistant meets the State Bar of Michigan's own qualifying criteria.

Full Text of Rule 2.626

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An award of attorney fees may include an award for the time and labor of any legal assistant who contributed nonclerical, legal support under the supervision of an attorney, provided the legal assistant meets the criteria set forth in Article 1, § 6 of the Bylaws of the State Bar of Michigan.

Amendment History

Michigan tracks the orders that adopt and amend its Court Rules in a separate administrative record rather than printing a history note beneath each rule in the compiled rules text reproduced here. The text above is verified current through the source’s own May 1, 2026 update; for the full order-by-order history of this rule, see the Michigan Supreme Court’s rules and orders page.

Plain-English Summary

An attorney-fee award isn't limited to the attorney's own billed hours. Rule 2.626 lets it also cover the time and labor of a legal assistant who contributed nonclerical, substantive legal support under an attorney's supervision, so long as that legal assistant meets the qualifying criteria set out in Article 1, Section 6 of the Bylaws of the State Bar of Michigan.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can paralegal time be included in an attorney-fee award in Michigan?

Yes, if the legal assistant provided nonclerical, substantive legal support under an attorney's supervision and meets the qualifying criteria in the State Bar of Michigan's own bylaws.

Does clerical work by a legal assistant count toward an attorney-fee award?

No. The rule covers nonclerical legal support only; purely clerical work isn't the kind of contribution this rule lets an attorney-fee award compensate.

Source & verification. The rule text is reproduced verbatim from the official Michigan Court Rules (MCR 2.626). Prescribed by the Supreme Court of Michigan (Mich. Const. 1963, art. VI, § 5). The plain-English summary is original and written by us. Last verified July 6, 2026. · Official source

Also known as: legal assistant fees Michiganparalegal time attorney fee award