Google privacy class action: Judge considers $146 million attorney fee request

A California federal judge is considering a request for over $146 million in attorney fees related to a $425 million privacy class action lawsuit against Google. U.S. District Judge Richard Seeborg noted that while the request is substantial, it is “an understandable, reasonable request that recognizes the very good work done by the plaintiff side.”

The litigation stems from a federal jury order last September that required Google to pay $425 million in compensatory damages to approximately 100 million users. The case, led by plaintiff Anibal Rodriguez, alleged that Google continued to collect app data even after informing users they could disable tracking.

Plaintiffs' counsel David Boies of Boies Schiller Flexner has requested $146 million in fees—representing roughly one-third of the total $440 million common fund, including interest—alongside $12 million in litigation costs. Boies argued that class actions are essential for holding defendants accountable when individual users lack the resources to litigate such matters independently.