UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
DISTRICT OF MASSACHUSETTS
NOTICE REGARDING JUDGE GORTON’S STANDING ORDER ON INTERIM
CJA 20 VOUCHERS IN EXCESS COMPENSATION CASES
Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton has issued a Standing Order regarding the filing of interim CJA
20 vouchers which is designed to facilitate the prompt review and payment of CJA 20 vouchers in
cases involving claims for compensation that exceed (by approximately two times) the applicable
statutory maximum for felonies and non-capital post-conviction proceedings (currently $9,700), and
other representations.
Interim excess compensation payments are typically allowed only after an attorney’s motion
for same is granted. Judge Gorton will not require CJA counsel to file a motion for interim excess
compensation, but, absent leave of court, will require CJA counsel to file an interim CJA 20 voucher
once the total unpaid fees and expenses that appear on the CJA 20 voucher reach $19,000, and will
require the interim CJA 20 voucher to be submitted with a memorandum explaining why the case
is “extended” and/or “complex” and the charges sought are reasonable. CJA counsel will also be
required to file subsequent interim vouchers once the total unpaid fees and expenses incurred reach
$9,000. Memoranda accompanying second and subsequent vouchers should identify the amounts
paid on prior interim vouchers.
Timely filing of interim vouchers once the aforementioned fee totals have been accumulated
will enable the court to review the vouchers in closer proximity to the time the services were
rendered and reduce the financial hardship to CJA counsel that can result when payment is delayed
until the conclusion of a case. This order will apply to cases filed before Judge Gorton on or after
the effective date of the attached Standing Order and to all cases then pending before Judge Gorton
unless leave of court is granted to proceed otherwise.
May 7, 2010 Sarah Allison Thornton
Clerk of Court
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
DISTRICT OF MASSACHUSETTS
STANDING ORDER RE: THE FILING OF INTERIM CJA 20 VOUCHERS IN EXCESS
COMPENSATION CASES BEFORE JUDGE GORTON
Whereas, THE District of Massachusetts has adopted a Plan for Implementing the Criminal
Justice Act of 1964, 18 U.S.C. §3006A that provides for the appointment and compensation of private
counsel in a substantial proportion of cases; and
WHEREAS, the timely submission of interim CJA 20 vouchers will facilitate the prudent
administration of CJA funds and relieve court-appointed attorneys of financial hardships;
The following procedures shall govern the submission of CJA 20 vouchers seeking
compensation in excess of the applicable statutory maximum in cases before Judge Gorton, unless
leave of court is granted to proceed othenvise:
(1) Counsel shall submit a first interim voucher once the total unpaid fees and expenses (i.e.,
the amount to be inserted on CJA 20, line 27) reach or exceed $19.000. Said voucher must be
supported by a memorandum that explains why the case is "extended" and/or "complex" and
the excess compensation claimed is necessary to provide fair compensation. See Guidelines for
Administering the CJA and Related Statutes, Vol. 7, Guide to Judician' Policy, Part A, Ch. 2,
§§230.23.40, 230.30(b), 230.73.10.
(2) Thereafter, counsel shall submit subsequent interim vouchers any time the accumulated (and
not previously paid) fees and expenses equal or exceed $9.000. All subsequent interim
vouchers must be accompanied by a memorandum that brieflY reiterates why the case is
"extended" and/or "complex", explains the charges sought and summarizes the amounts paid
on all previous interim vouchers.
SO ORDERED.
/1~;;;1!:!:1~ Date
United States District Judge
Date
