The filing also seeks $3,000 service awards for each of the 32 named class representatives, citing their active involvement in depositions, discovery, and case strategy despite limited personal financial recovery from the settlement.
“The plaintiffs pursued this litigation to ensure well plugging, not monetary damages,” the brief said. “Their commitment made this recovery possible.”
Plaintiffs’ counsel declined to comment on the fee request Monday. Diversified’s representatives did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The plaintiffs are represented by John W. Barrett of Bailey & Glasser LLP and Amanda Demmerle and Joseph M. Lovett of Appalachian Mountain Advocates.
Diversified Energy is represented by Daniel T. Donovan, Ragan Naresh, Kenneth A. Young, and Dustin L. Womack of Kirkland & Ellis LLP and Howard M. Persinger III of Persinger & Persinger LC.
The case is McEvoy et al. v. Diversified Energy Co. PLC et al., case number 5:22-cv-00171, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia.
