In a sanctions award over defendants' failure to comply with discovery orders in a case stemming from the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, a Southern District magistrate judge has awarded three law firms about $311,000—down from the more than $1 million the firms requested—while denying fees to a fourth firm.

If the ruling stands, two defendants who were penalized for discovery failings will have to pay the fees.

The four plaintiff firms seeking fees were Anderson Kill, Cozen O'Connor, Kreindler & Kreindler, and Motley Rice. Plaintiffs law firms have pursued the case for Sept. 11 victims on a contingency basis for about 12 years and have collectively invested tens of millions of dollars in the matter with no end in sight.