Attorney Fees Under Maryland Lemon Law
Maryland's triple fee-recovery basis — § 14-1502 Lemon Law (discretionary) + § 13-408(b) CPA + Magnuson-Moss § 2310(d)(2).
Maryland provides three independent attorney-fee bases for prevailing consumers — the CPA and Magnuson-Moss fees are mandatory, while the Lemon Law fee under § 14-1502 is discretionary (“the court may award”).
The three statutes
1. § 14-1502 — Lemon Law fees
§ 14-1502 provides that “the court may award reasonable attorney’s fees” to a prevailing consumer.
- Discretionary — the award is at the court’s discretion, not automatic.
- Covers Lemon Law claims under § 14-1501.
2. § 13-408(b) — CPA fees
§ 13-408(b) provides for attorney fees to prevailing plaintiffs.
- Functionally mandatory for prevailing CPA plaintiffs.
- Separate from Lemon Law fees — not duplicative.
3. § 2310(d)(2) — Magnuson-Moss fees
“If a consumer finally prevails… the court may allow… attorneys’ fees…”
- Federal mandatory fee provision.
- Provides D. Md. federal court access.
Why this matters for consumers
The three-basis fee shifting (CPA and Magnuson-Moss mandatory; Lemon Law discretionary) means:
- Attorneys take cases on contingent or hybrid basis.
- Manufacturer pays consumer’s full attorney fees + costs on prevailing.
- Litigation economics favor consumer.
- Settlement leverage is significant.
What the fee award covers
Recoverable fees typically include:
- Hours billed by attorneys + paralegals.
- Costs — filing fees, expert witnesses, deposition transcripts.
- Pre-suit work — demand letter drafting, BBB filing preparation.
- Trial preparation — even if case settles.
- Fee-petition work.
Reasonable hourly rates in Maryland
| Practice level | DC suburbs (Montgomery) | Baltimore | Other |
|---|---|---|---|
| Senior consumer attorney | $475 - $650 | $400 - $550 | $325 - $475 |
| Mid-level associate | $275 - $400 | $250 - $350 | $200 - $300 |
| Paralegal | $135 - $185 | $125 - $170 | $100 - $150 |
DC-suburb (Montgomery County, D. Md. Southern Division) rates are among the higher in the country.
CPA fees stacked with Lemon Law fees
§ 14-1502 and § 13-408(b) provide separate fee bases. A consumer prevailing on both claims can recover fees under both.
Bottom line
Maryland’s triple fee-recovery basis is among the strongest in the country. Combined with high DC-metro rates, manufacturer fee exposure is significant — creating strong settlement leverage.
Related
Cash-and-Keep Settlements in Maryland Lemon Law Cases
How cash-and-keep settlements work in Maryland Lemon Law — diminished-value payments where consumer keeps the vehicle.
Read → ArticleCPA Damages — Maryland Deceptive-Practices Layer
How Maryland CPA actual damages and mandatory § 13-408(b) fees stack with the Maryland Lemon Law to maximize recovery.
Read → ArticleRefund (Buyback) Under Maryland Lemon Law
How Maryland Lemon Law refunds work under § 14-1502(e) — full purchase price + tax + fees + incidental, minus reasonable use offset.
Read → ArticleReplacement Vehicle Under Maryland Lemon Law
How Maryland Lemon Law replacement works under § 14-1502(e) — comparable new vehicle, consumer's choice between refund and replacement.
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