The Louisiana Supreme Court has ruled to reduce the attorney fee award in the class action case of Steve Crooks v. State of Louisiana, through the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources, which has significant implications for class action settlements. The court's decision, issued on October 30, 2026, amended the previous award of attorney fees, impacting both the plaintiffs and the legal landscape for future class action cases.

This ruling affects class action members who have been involved in a lengthy legal battle regarding property rights in the Catahoula Basin. The court's decision to lower the attorney fees from over $22 million to approximately $16.7 million highlights the complexities involved in determining fair compensation for legal services in class action lawsuits.

The case originated in 2006 when Steve Crooks and Era Lea Crooks filed a class action lawsuit on behalf of landowners affected by increased water levels in the Catahoula Basin, resulting from a U.S. government navigation project. The plaintiffs, divided into two groups—the Lake Plaintiffs and the Swamp Plaintiffs—sought ownership of the land and compensation for what they claimed was unlawful expropriation of their property. The trial court initially ruled in favor of the plaintiffs, awarding them substantial damages and attorney fees.

The Lake Plaintiffs argued that their land was unlawfully taken when the U.S. government constructed structures to manage water levels in the basin. They claimed ownership of land between the ordinary low and high water marks of the Little River, while the Swamp Plaintiffs sought damages for overflow lands. The trial court's ruling recognized the Lake Plaintiffs as owners of over 22,000 acres and awarded them nearly $29 million in damages, along with attorney fees of over $22 million.

The case moved through the court system, with the appellate court affirming the trial court's decision but later adjusting the attorney fee structure. The appellate court ruled that since the federal government was responsible for the land taking, the state should not bear the attorney fee burden, leading to a complete reassessment of how fees would be allocated.

In its ruling, the Louisiana Supreme Court affirmed the appellate court's decision while reducing the attorney fees to $16,713,656.20. The court noted that the original fee was excessive considering the significant reduction in the overall damages awarded to the class. The court stated, "In sum, an enhancement may be appropriate when superior attorney performance is not adequately considered in the lodestar calculations, when the attorney’s performance includes an extraordinary outlay of expenses and the litigation is exceptionally protracted, and where the attorney’s performance involves exceptional delay in the payment of fees."

The ruling also emphasized that the attorneys had taken on significant risks and expenses over the lengthy litigation process, which began in 2006. The court acknowledged that the attorneys' efforts led to the recognition of the plaintiffs' ownership of the riverbanks in the Catahoula Basin, resulting in a substantial recovery for the class.

The decision has implications for how attorney fees are calculated in class actions, particularly regarding the use of the lodestar method and potential multipliers. The court noted that while the lodestar method is a common approach, it can be adjusted based on the results obtained and the complexity of the case.

The impact of this ruling extends beyond the immediate parties involved. It sets a precedent for future class action cases in Louisiana, particularly regarding the assessment of attorney fees in relation to the benefits obtained for the class. This case illustrates the ongoing challenges in balancing fair compensation for legal services with the financial realities faced by class members.

Looking ahead, the case may still be subject to further legal scrutiny, as the court remanded the matter for the trial court to determine how the attorney fees will be paid and what reserves should remain in the common fund. This decision raises questions about the future of attorney fee collections in class action lawsuits, especially when the awarded fees exceed the monetary recovery for the plaintiffs.

While the ruling can be appealed, the immediate focus will likely be on how the trial court implements the Supreme Court's decision regarding the attorney fees and the common fund. The complexities of this case highlight the intricate nature of class action litigation and the ongoing evolution of legal standards in Louisiana.