# U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t o f A pp e a l s

For the Eig hth Circu it

_ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

No . 1 8 -2 3 52

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M ari a C. Ch i l d res s, An In d i v i d u al , o n b eh al f o f Hers el f an d Ot h ers Si m i l arl y

Si t uat ed , al s o k n own as Ti n a Ch i l d res s ; As s o ci at i o n o f Lat e Deafen ed Ad u l t s

,

(ALDA), an Il l i n oi s Co rp o rat i o n

l l l l l l l l l ll l l l l l l l l l l Pl a in t i

f f s - Ap pel l ees

M ary St o d d en , An In d i v id u al , o n b eh al f o f Hers el f an d Ot hers Si m il arl y Si t u at ed

ll l l l l l l l l l l l ll l l l l l l Pet i t i o n er

- Ap pel l ee

Heari n g Lo s s As s o ci at i o n o f Am eri ca, Great er St . Lo u i s Ch ap t er, (HLAA-St L), an

u n i n co rp o rat ed affi l i at e o f t h e Heari n g Lo s s o f Am eri ca, A M ary l an d Co rp o rat i o n

l ll l l l l l l l l l l l ll l l l l l Pl a i n t i

f f - Ap pel l ee

v

.

Fo x As s o ci at es , LLC, d oi n g b u s i n es s as Fab u l ou s Fo x Th eat re

l ll l l l l l l l l l l l ll l l l l l Def

en da n t - Ap pel l an t

_ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

No . 1 8 -2 5 77

_ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

M ari a C. Ch i l d res s, An In d i v i d u al , o n b eh al f o f Hers el f an d Ot h ers Si m i l arl y

Si t uat ed , al s o k n own as Ti n a Ch i l d res s ; As s o ci at i o n o f Lat e Deafen ed Ad u l t s

,

(ALDA), an Il l i n oi s Co rp o rat i o n

l l l l l l l l l ll l l l l l l l l l l Pl a in t i

f f s - Ap pel l eesM ary

St o d d en , In di vi d u al

, o n b eh al f o f Hers el f an d Ot h ers Si m i l arl y Si t u at ed

ll l l l l l l l l l l l ll l l l l l l Pet i t i o n er

- Ap pel l ee

Heari n g Lo s s As s o ci at i o n o f Am eri ca, Great er St . Lo u i s Ch ap t er, (HLAA-St L), an

u n i n co rp o rat ed affi l i at e o f t h e Heari n g Lo s s o f Am eri ca, A M ary l an d Co rp o rat i o n

l ll l l l l l l l l l l l ll l l l l l Pl a i n t i

f f - Ap pel l ee

v

.

Fo x As s o ci at es , LLC, d oi n g b u s i n es s as Fab u l ou s Fo x Th eat re

l ll l l l l l l l l l l l ll l l l l l Def

en da n t - Ap pel l an t

_ __ _ _ __ _ __ _ _

Ap peal s fro m

Un i t ed St at es Di st ri ct Co u rt

fo r t he Eas t ern Di s t ri ct o f M i s s o u ri - St . Lo u i s

_ __ _ _ __ _ __ _ _

Su b m it t ed : Ap ri l 1 7, 2 0 1 9

Fi l ed : Au g u s t 7 , 2 0 1 9

_ __ _ _ __ _ __ _ _

Befo re SHEPHERD, M ELLOY, an d GRASZ, Ci rcu i t J u d g es

.

_ __ _ _ __ _ __ _ _

SHEPHERD, Ci rcu i t J u dg e.

Fo x As s o ci at es

, LLC, do i n g b u s i n es s as t h e Fab u lo u s Fo x Th eat er, ap peal s t h e

d i s t ri ct co u rt ’ s 1 ad v ers e g ran t o f su m m ary ju d g m e n t an d award o f at t o rn ey ’ s fees

,

ex p en s es

, an d co s t s o n an Am eri can s wi t h Di s ab i l i t i e s A ct cl ai m bro u g h t b y M ari a

1 Th e Ho n o rab l e Cat h eri n e D. Perry

, Unite d S ta te s D is t ri ct Ju d ge fo r t h e Eas t ern

Di s t ri ct o f M i s s o u ri

.

-2

-Ch i ld res s an d M ary St od d en

, t w o i n d i v i d u al s wi th h eari n g i m p ai rm en t s

, as wel l as

t w o o r g an i zat i o n s t h at s erv e i n di v i d u al s wi t h h eari n g im pai rm en t s. Hav i n g

ju ri s d i ct i o n u n d er 2 8 U.S.C. § 1 2 9 1 , we affi rm

.

I.

F o x As s o ci at es ru n s t h e Fab u l o u s Fo x T h eat er (t h e Fo x ), a 4

, 5 0 0 -s eat l i v e

t h eat er i n St

. Lo u is

, M i s s o u ri

. Th e Fo x d o es n o t d ev el o p o r p ro d uce i t s o wn s h o w s ;

rat h er, i t p ro v i d es a v en u e fo r trav el i n g Bro ad w ay s h o ws t o p erfo rm

. Th es e t rav el i n g

s h o ws d o n o t reh ears e at t h e Fo x fo r an y l en gt h o f t i m e b efo re p erfo rm i n g

. Th ey

s i m p l y arri v e at t h e v en u e, set u p t h ei r s et s an d eq u i p m en t p u rs uan t to t h ei r n e e d s

,

an d co n d u ct m

ul t i p l e p erfo rm an ces o f t h e s am e p ro d u ct i o n

.

In Ap ri l 2 01 6

, M ari a Ch i l d res s

, a l at e

- d e a f en ed ad ul t

, co n t act ed th e Fo x an d

req u es t ed cap t i o n i n g fo r a p erfo rm an ce of t he m u s i cal Ren t

, s ch ed u l ed fo r M ay 2 0 1 7.

Ch i ld res s

, wh i le fl u en t i n Am eri can Si g n Lan g u ag e (ASL), p refers cap t i o n ed s h o ws

t o ASL-i n t erp ret ed s ho ws s o t h at s h e can ex p eri en ce t he wri ters ’ o ri g i n al d i al o g u e

an d l y ri cs rat h er t h an an ASL in t erp ret er’ s v ers i o n

. Th e Fo x t o l d Ch i l d res s t h at i t d id

n o t offer cap t i o n i ng a n d h ad n o p l an s to do s o i n t h e fu t u re, bu t t hat Ch i l d res s was

wel co m e t o at t en d a s ch ed u l ed ASL-i n t erp ret ed p erfo rm an ce o f t h e s h ow.

Ch i l d res s an d t h e As s o ci at i o n o f Lat e-Deafen ed Ad u l t s (ALDA) fi l ed s u i t

ag ai n s t Fo x A s s o ci at es u n der Ti t l e III o f t he Am eri can s wi t h Di s ab il i ti es Act (ADA),

4 2 U.S.C. § 1 2 18 2

, i n J u n e 2 01 6

. 2 Sh e s o u g h t i n j u n ct i ve an d d ecl arat o ry rel i ef,

i n cl u d i n g m an d at ed c a p t io n s at al l perfo rm an ces fo r wh i ch t h e Fo x recei v ed a

cap t i on i n g req u es t t wo w eek s i n ad v an ce, p u b li ci t y t h at cap tio n s were av ai l ab l e al o n g

wi t h a way t o req u es t t h em

, an d s al e o f t ick et s t o d eaf an d hard -o f-h eari n g p at ro n s by

2 Pl ai n ti ffs M a ry St o d d en an d t h e H eari n g Lo ss A s s o ci at i o n of Am eri ca

(HLAA) jo i n ed t h e l aws u i t i n J u l y 2 0 1 7

.

-3

-n o n

- t e l ep h o n i c m ean s

. Aft er Ch i l d res s s u ed

, t h e Fo x o ffered t o am en d i t s p o l i ci e s

an d t o o ffer a s i ng le p res ch ed u l ed cap t i o ned p erfo rm an ce o f each Bro ad way

p ro d uct i o n as lo n g as a t h eat er p at ro n req u es t ed cap t i on s fo r a perfo rm an ce o f t h a t

p ro d uct i o n t wo week s i n ad v an ce. To t h at en d

, t h e Fo x p ro v i d ed a s i n g l e s ch ed u l ed

cap t i on ed p erfo rm an ce— a Sat u rd ay m at i n ee— fo r each o f s i x s ep arat e p ro d u ct i on s

fro m M ay 2 0 1 7 to J an u ary 2 0 1 8

. Th e Fo x al s o b eg an p ub l ici zi n g th e av ai l ab i l i ty o f

t h es e p erfo rm an ces an d pro vi d ed a m ean s t o req u es t cap t i o n i n g an d p u rch as e t i ck et s

t h ro u g h i t s web si t e.

Ch i l dres s was u n ab l e t o at t en d t h e p res ch e d u l e d cap t i o n ed p erfo rm an ce o f

S ch oo l o f Ro ck i n J an u ary 20 1 8

, s o t h e Fo x p ro v i d ed a s eco n d cap t i o n ed p erfo rm an ce

a week earl ier. It n o ti fi ed Ch i ld res s, h o wev er, t hat t h i s se co n d cap t io n ed p erfo rm an ce

wa s a n e x cep t i on t o i t s p o li cy an d th at fu t u re req u es ts fo r ad d i t i o n al cap t i o n ed

p erfo rm a n c e s w o u l d n o t al way s be g ran t ed

. 3 W h en M ich el e W es t m aas

, a s eas o n

t i ck et h o l der an d m em

b er o f ALDA, req u es t ed t h at t h e Fo x p ro v i d e cap ti o n i n g at t h e

rem a i n i n g 2 0 1 8 p erfo rm an ce fo r w h i ch s h e h ad t i ck et s

, t h e Fo x i n s t ead ex ch an g ed

h er t i ck et s fo r t ick et s t o t h e p res ch ed u l ed cap t i o n ed p erfo rm an ce.

W h i l e Ch i l dres s ’ s i n i t i al req u es t as k ed t h e Fo x t o pro v i de o p en cap t io n i n g

, t h e

Fo x ch o s e t o p ro v i d e cl o s ed cap t i o n i n g

. 4 It t h erefo re p u rch as ed s i x el ect ro n i c t ab let s

t h at al l o w t h eat er p at ro n s to v i ew cap t i o n s d u ri n g a p erfo rm an ce. Th e t ab let s can b e

u s ed fro m an y seat i n t h e t heat er. Th e Fo x al s o o ffers d ev ice h o l d ers fo r t h es e t ab let s

s o t h at p at ro n s can v i ew cap t i o ns h an ds -free, b u t t h es e h o l d ers can o n l y b e affi x ed to

3 Th i s h ed gi ng by t he Fo x b l u nt s t h e fo rce o f t h e d is s en t ’ s co n t en t i o n t hat

, s i nce

t h e o ri g i n al co m

p ro m i s e was reach ed

, th e Fo x h as n o t d en i ed t he p l ai n t iffs cap t i o n i n g

at an y req u es t ed p erfo rm an ce.

4 Cl o s ed cap t i o ni n g i s g en eral l y p ro v i d ed o n h an dh el d d ev i ces a n d i s v i s i b l e

o n l y to t h e p at ro n wh o req u es t s t h e cap t i on i n g

, wh i l e o p en cap t i o n i n g i s p ro ject ed o n

a s u rface t h at i s v i s ib l e t o an en t i re t h eat er o r s ect i o n o f t he t h eat er.

-4

-wh eel ch ai r-acces s i b l e seat i n g d u e t o fi re h azard s

. Cap t i o n s are g en erat ed an d ap p ear

i n real t i m e s o as t o ex act l y d u p l i cat e wh at o ccu rs on s t ag e, i n cl u d i n g di al o g u e, s o n g

l y ri cs

, an d s o u n d effect s

. Becau s e ev ery li v e perfo rm an ce i s s l i g h t ly d i fferen t

, a l i ve,

i n -p ers o n co urt rep o rt er m u s t b e p res en t t o t ran s cri b e cap t i o n s fo r each p erfo rm an ce.

Fo l l owi n g t h e Fo x ’ s i m p l em en t at i o n o f i t s s i n g l e-cap t io n ed -p erfo r m a nce

p o l i cy

, bo t h p art i es m o v ed fo r s um m ary ju d g m en t

. T h e p l ai n t i ffs arg u ed t h at

,

b ecau s e t h e A DA req u i res eq u a l s e r v i ce, t h e Fo x was req u i red t o o ffer cap t i o n i n g

wh en req u es ted

, s u b

ject o nl y t o t h e ADA’ s “ un d ue b urd en ” aff i r m a t i v e d efen s e.

Becau s e Fo x As s o ci at es refu sed t o p ro v id e fi n an ci al i n fo rm at i o n du ri n g d i s co v ery

,

s t at i n g t h at s u ch i nfo rm at i o n was i rrel ev an t

, an d b ecau s e t h e u nd u e b u rd en d efen s e

req u i res co n s i d erat i o n o f a d efen d an t ’ s fi n an ci al s t at e, th e pl ai nt i ffs co n t en d ed t h at

Fo x As s o ci at es h ad w a i v e d t h e d efen s e. Fo x As s o ci at es arg u ed th at req u i ri n g

cap t i on i n g wh en ev er i t was req ues t ed was n o t a reas o n ab l e m o d ifi cat i o n t o t h e Fo x ’ s

p o l i ci es

, p ract i ces

, an d p ro ced ures an d t h at

, b ecau s e it p ro v id ed cap t i on i n g wh en ev er

t h e p l ai n ti ffs req u es t ed i t

, t h ei r cl ai m fo r i n ju n ct i v e rel ief was m o o t

. It fu rt h er arg u ed

t h at i t was n o t y et rai s in g an u n d u e bu rd en arg u m en t an d t h at th i s fact

, al o ne,

p rev en ted a g ran t o f s u m m ary ju d g m en t ag ai n s t i t

.

Th e d i s tri ct co u rt fo u n d t h at t h e p l ai n t i ffs b ro u g h t s ui t u n d er t he ADA’ s

au x il i ary ai d s an d s erv i ces req u i rem en t s

, s ee 4 2 U.S.C. § 12 1 8 2 (b )(2 )(A)(i i i ), rat h er

t h an th e l es s -s p eci fi c s ect i on ad d res s i n g m o d i fi cat i o n t o “ p o l ici es

, pract i ces

, an d

p ro ced ures ,” s ee 4 2 U.S.C. § 12 1 8 2 (b )(2 )(A)(i i ). It fu rt her fo u n d t h at fai l in g t o o ffer

cap t i on i n g at an y perfo rm an ce wh ere cap ti o n s were req u es t ed “ res u l t s i n d eaf p ers on s

b ei n g ex cl u d ed

, d e n i e d s e rv i ces

, or o t h erwi s e t reat ed di fferen t l y t h an o t h er

i n d i v i d u al s m erel y b ecau s e o f t h e ab s en ce o f [an au x i l i ary ] ai d

. Th i s fai l u re v i o l at es

4 2 U.S.C. § 1 2 1 8 2 (b )(2 )(A)(i i i ).” Ch i l d res s v

. Fo x As s o cs

., LLC, N o

. 4 : 1 6 CV 9 3 1

CDP, 2 0 1 8 W L 1 8 58 15 7

, at * 4 (E.D. M o

. Ap r. 1 8

, 2 0 18 ). Fo x As s o ci at es p res en t ed

n o arg u m en t reg a r d i n g t he un d u e b u rd en defen s e an d t h e d i s t ri ct co u rt g ran t ed

s u m m ary ju d g m en t fo r t he p l a i n t i f f s

. It award ed th em in

ju n ct i v e rel i ef an d

, as

-5

-rel ev an t to t hi s ap p eal

, req u i red t h e Fo x t o p ro vi d e cap t i on i n g wh en ev er i t recei v ed

a req u es t t wo week s i n ad v an ce.

Fo l l owi n g t h e g ran t o f s u m m ary j u d gm en t i n t h ei r fav o r, t h e p lai n t i ffs m o v ed

fo r an award o f at t o rn ey ’ s f e e s

, ex p en s es

, an d co s t s u nd er 42 U.S.C. § 1 2 20 5

. Th e

d i s t ri ct co u rt g ran t ed t h e m o ti o n an d cal cu l at ed reas o n ab l e at t o rn ey ’ s fees b as ed o n

t h e l o des tar m et ho d

. See Hen s l ey v. Eck erh art

, 4 61 U.S. 4 2 4, 43 3 (1 9 8 3 ). It red u ced

t h e req ues t ed am o u n t o f at t o r n ey ’ s fees

, h o wev er, b as ed o n i t s fi n d i n g s t h at t h e

p l ai n t i f fs ’ at to rn ey b i l l ed fo r cl eri cal o r s ecret ari al wo rk an d ex p en d ed t i m e o n

m at t ers i rrel ev an t t o t h e cas e as fi l ed

. Th e d i s t ri ct co u rt th erefo re gran t ed t h e

p l ai n t i ffs $ 9 7 ,9 2 0 i n at t o rn ey ’ s fees rat h er t h an t h ei r req u es t ed $ 1 00 ,8 4 5

.

Fo x As s o ci at es n o w ap p eal s

, arg ui n g t h at i t p ro v i d es d eaf an d h ard -o f-h eari n g

i n d i v i d u al s wi th m ean i n g fu l acces s t o i ts b en efi t s an d i t s h o u l d b e al l o wed fl ex i b i l i t y

t o co n s o l i d at e m

u l t i p l e cap t i o n i n g req ues t s i n t o o n e perfo rm an ce b ecau s e p ro v i d i n g

cap t i on s i s ex p en s iv e. Fo x As s o ci at es fu rt h er ch al l en g es t h e award o f at t o rn ey ’ s fees

,

arg u i n g t h at t h e d i s t ri ct co u rt u s ed an i nfl at ed ho u r l y r a t e t o cal cu l at e t ho s e fees

,

al l o wed t h e p l ai n ti ffs ’ co u n s el t o b i ll fo r t as k s h e s h o u ld n o t h av e i n cl ud ed

, an d fai l ed

t o red uce t h e fee award t o acco u n t fo r t h e p l ai nt iffs ’ p art ial s u cces s o n th ei r s u m m ary

ju d g m en t m o t io n.

II.

Fo x As s o ci at es fi rs t arg u es t hat t he di st ri ct co u rt im p ro p erl y g ran ted s u m

m ary

ju d g m en t fo r A p p el lees an d fai l ed t o g ran t Fo x As s oci at es ’ s u m m ary ju d g m en t

m o ti o n o n Ap p el l ees ’ ADA cl ai m . “ W e rev i ew a d i s tri ct co u rt ’ s d eci s io n o n cro s s

m o ti o n s fo r s um m ary ju dg m en t d e n o v o .” Th i rt y & 1 4 1

, L.P. v

. L o we’ s Ho m e Ct rs

.,

In c., 5 6 5 F.3 d 4 4 3, 4 45 -4 6 (8 t h Ci r. 2 00 9 ).

-6

-Un d er t he ADA, a p u b l i c acco m m o d at i o n 5 m

u s t p ro v id e a u x i l i ary ai d s an d

s erv i ces t o i n d i vi d u al s wi t h d i s ab i l i t i es i f s uch i n d i v i d u al s n eed th o s e ai d s an d

s erv i ces to en

j o y “ m ean i n gfu l acces s ” t o t h e p u b l i c acco m m o d at i o n

. Arg en y i v.

Crei g h t o n U ni v

., 7 0 3 F.3 d 44 1

, 4 4 9 (8 t h Ci r. 2 0 1 3 ). A p ers o n wi t h a d i s ab i l i t y

recei v es m ean i n g fu l acces s i f s h e recei v es an “ eq u a l o p p o rt u n i ty t o g ai n t h e s am e

b en efi t ” as a p ers o n wi t h o ut h er d i s ab i l i t y

. Id

. W h et h er a n e n t i t y p ro v i d es

m e a n i n g fu l acces s is a fact -b as ed i n qu i ry ; a p u b l i c acco m m o d at i on ’ s ex act

res p o n s i b i l i t ies un d er t h e ADA m u st b e d et erm i n ed o n a cas e-b y -cas e b as i s . Id

.

Th e ex act f

o r m o f a u x i l i ary ai d neces s ary i s l eft u p to t h e p u b l i c

acco m m o d at i o n

, b u t

, o n ce th e p u b l i c acco m m od at i o n d et erm i n es t h at an ai d i s

n eed ed

, i t m

u s t p ro v i d e t h at ai d u n les s do i n g s o wo u l d b e an u n d u e b u rd en o r wo u ld

f u n d am en t al l y al ter t h e n at u re o f t h e p ro v i d ed b en efi t

. 4 2 U. S

. C

.

§ 1 2 1 8 2 (b )(2 )(A)(i i i). Bo t h t h e u n d u e b u rd en an d t h e fu n d am en t al al t erat i o n

arg u m en t s are affi rm at i v e d efen s es p ro v i d e d b y t he ADA. Go rm an v

. Bart ch

, 1 5 2

F.3 d 9 0 7 , 9 1 2 (8 t h Ci r. 1 99 8) (ci t i n g 2 8 C.F.R. § 3 5 .1 5 0(a)(3 )). Fai l u re to rai s e an

affi rm at i v e d efen se befo re t h e d i s t ri ct co u rt co n s t i t u tes wai ver o f t hat d efen s e.

W arn er Bro s

. En t m ’ t , In c. v . X On e X Pro d s ., 8 4 0 F.3 d 9 7 1 , 9 8 0 (8 th Ci r. 2 0 1 6 ).

On ap p eal

, Fo x As s o ci at es arg u es t hat d eaf an d h ard -o f-h eari n g i n d i v i d u al s

recei v e m ean i ng fu l a c c es s t o t h e Fo x ’ s p ro d u ct i o n s b ecau s e t h e Fo x cu rren t l y

cap t i on s o ne p erfo rm an ce o f e ach Bro ad way p ro d u ct i o n an d h as n ev er d en i ed a

cap t i on i n g req u es t

. Ap p el l ees co u n ter th at d eaf an d h ard -o f-h eari n g i n d i v i d u al s are

gua r a nte e d onl y on e p erfo rm an ce d at e w h i l e i n d i v i d u al s wi t h o ut h eari n g i m p ai r m e nts

m ay ch oo s e fro m a b ro ad ran g e o f p erfo rm an ce d at es

. Th i s d i s crep an cy , Ap p el l ees

arg u e, in d i cat es t hat in d i v i d u al s wi t h h eari n g i m p ai rm en t s h av e l es s o pp o rt u n i t y to

5 Fo x As s o ci at es d o es n o t d i s p ut e t h at th e Fo x i s a p u b l i c acco m m o d at i o n an d

i s s ub ject t o t h e ADA’ s req u i rem en t s

.

-7

-recei v e t h e b en efi t s t h e Fo x pro v i d es

, an d t h a t

, t h erefo re, t h e Fo x d en i es t h em

m ean i n g fu l acces s

.

Th e F o x p ro v i d es i t s s ch ed u l ed cap ti o n ed p erfo rm an ce d uri n g a Sat u rd ay

m at i n ee t i m e s l o t fo r each Bro ad way p ro d u ct i o n. Un d er t he Fo x ’ s cu rren t p o l i ci es

,

i n d i v i d u al s wi t h h eari n g i m p ai rm en t s m

u s t at t en d t h at p ro d u c t i o n i n o rd er t o h av e

acces s t o ca p t i o ni n g an d th erefo re can n ot

, l i ke t hei r h eari n g-en ab l ed co u n t erp art s

,

at t en d t h e t h eat er d u ri n g t h e week o r i n th e ev en i n g. T hi s ex cl u d es i n d i v i d u al s wi th

h eari n g i m

p ai rm en t s fro m “ t h e eco n o m i c an d s o ci al m ai n s t ream o f Am eri can l i fe[,] ”

p erp et u at i n g t h e d i s cri m i n at i o n t h e ADA s o u gh t t o ad d res s

. McGan n v

. Ci n em ark

USA, In c., 8 7 3 F.3 d 2 1 8

, 2 3 0 (8 t h Ci r. 2 0 1 7 ) (q u ot i n g PGA To u r, In c. v

. M art i n

, 5 3 2

U.S. 6 6 1

, 6 7 5 (2 0 0 1 )).

W e no t e, t o o

, t h at t h e Fo x i m p l em en t ed Ch i l d res s ’ s req u es t fo r a s eco n d

cap t i on ed p erfo rm an ce o f S ch o o l o f Ro ck o n ly aft er ex p l i ci t l y s t at i n g t h at i t d i d s o as

an ex cep ti o n t o i t s p ol i cy an d t h at i t wo u l d n o t al w ay s g ran t s i m i lar req u es t s i n t h e

fu t u re. 6 W e t h erefo re fi n d th at t h e Fo x ’ s o n e-cap t io n ed -p erfo rm an ce p o l i cy d en i es

p ers o n s w i t h h eari n g i m

p ai rm en t s an eq u al o p po rt u ni t y t o g ai n t h e s am e b en efi t as

p ers o n s wi t h o u t h eari n g i m pai rm en t s

, an d t h at d eaf an d h ard -o f-h eari n g i n d i v i d u al s

t h erefo re d o n ot h av e m ean in g fu l acces s t o t h e b en efi t s t h e Fo x p ro v i d es

.

Des p i t e i ts fai l u re t o p ro v i d e m ean i n g f u l a cces s t o in d i vi d u al s wi t h h eari n g

i m p ai rm en t s

, Fo x A s s o ci at es co u l d s t i l l prev ai l i f i t co u l d s h o w t h at p ro v i d i n g

cap t i on i n g at al l req u es t ed p erfo rm an ces wo u l d b e an u n d u e b u rd en

. 7 Ho wev er, in

6 See Fo ot n o t e 3

.

7 Fo x As s o ci at es co ul d al s o p rev ai l if i t co u l d s ho w im p l em en t i n g t h i s req u es t

b as ed c a p t i o n i n g s y st em wo u l d fu n d am en t al l y al t er t h e n at u re o f t h e b en efi t i t

p ro v id es

. Ho wev er, Fo x A s s o ci at es co n ced ed i n t h e d i s t ri ct co u rt t h at cap t i o n i n g i s

n o t a fu n dam en t al al t erat i o n, s ee Def.’ s Res p s

. & Ob j ect i o n s 3

, Di s t

. Ct

. Dk t

. 3 4 -2

,

an d i t p res en ts n o arg u m en t o n t h i s p o i n t o n ap peal

.

-8

-res p o n s e t o Ap p el lees ’ m o t i o n fo r s um m ary ju d g m en t, Fo x As s o ci at es ex p l i ci t l y

s t at ed t h at i t was “ n o t a s s e r t i n g t h e affi rm at i v e d efen s e[] of ‘ u nd u e bu rd en ’

. . . .”

Def.’ s M em

. Op p ’ n Pl s .’ Mo t

. Su m m

. J

. 7

, Di s t

. Ct

. Dk t

. 5 0

. Hav i n g fai l ed t o d o s o

i n th e d i st ri ct co u rt

, i t can n o t d o s o n o w. See W arn er Bro s., 8 4 0 F.3 d at 9 8 0; M o d ern

Leas i n g

, In c. o f Io wa v

. Fal co n M fg

. o f Cal

., In c., 8 8 8 F.2 d 5 9, 62 -6 3 (8 t h Ci r. 1 9 8 9 ).

F ox As so ci at es ’ co n cl u s i o n t h at Ap p el lees were “ no t en t i t l ed t o s u m m a r y

ju d g m en t o n an y n o n -as s ert e d a f f i rm at i v e d efen s es [,] ” ” D ef.’ s M em

. Op p ’ n Pl s .’

M o t

. Su m m

. J. 7

, an d i t s arg u m en t o n ap peal t h at t h e d is t ri ct co u rt erred i n fai l i n g to

acco u n t fo r a p o t en t ial u n d u e b u rd en i g n o re t h e f act t h at i t was Fo x As so ci at es ’

res p o n s i b i l i t y t o as s er t t h e u n d u e b u rd en d efen se. A p art y wh o d o es no t as s ert a

d efen s e i n t h e d i s t ri ct co u rt can n o t as s ert t h at d efen s e o n ap p eal

, an d Fo x As s o ci at es

h as t h erefo re wai v ed t h at d efen s e.

Fi n d i n g t h at t h e Fo x d o es n o t p ro v i d e m ean in g fu l acces s t o i n di v i d u al s wi th

h eari n g i m

p ai rm en ts an d th at A p p el l e e s ’ cl ai m i s n o t s u b ject to t h e u n du e b u rd en

d efen s e, we co n cl u d e t h at t he d i s t ri ct co u rt p ro perl y g ran t ed s u m m ary ju d g m en t i n

fav o r o f Ap p el l ees o n t h ei r AD A cl ai m

. W e no t e, h owev er, t h at i f t he v o l u m e o f

cap t i on i n g req u es t s in t h e fu t u re ri ses t o t he l ev el of an u n d ue b u rd en o n t h e F o x,

n o t h i n g p recl u d e s F o x As s o ci at es fro m b ri n g i n g i t s own l aws u it an d s eek i n g to

m o di fy t h e d i s tri ct co u rt ’ s o rd er i n t hi s cas e.

III.

Hav i n g d et erm i ned t h at t h e d i s t ri ct co u rt p ro p erl y g ran t ed s u m m ary ju d g m en t

i n fav o r o f Ap p el lees

, we m u s t n o w det erm in e wh et h er t he di s t ri ct c o u r t p ro p erl y

award ed Ap p el l ees o v er $ 9 7,0 0 0 i n at t o rn ey ’ s fees

. “ At t o rn ey ’ s fees are wi t h i n t h e

b ro ad d is cret i o n o f t h e d i s t ri ct co urt an d wi ll n o t b e rev ers ed ab s en t an ab u s e o f

d i s cret i o n .” Han i g v . Lee, 4 1 5 F.3 d 8 2 2 , 8 2 5 (8 th Ci r. 2 0 0 5 ).

-9

-F e d e ral co urt s em p l o y t h e l o d es t ar m et h od

, wh i ch m u l ti p l i es th e n u m

b e r o f

h o u rs w o rk ed b y

t h e p rev ai l i n g h o u rl y

rat e, wh en cal cu l at i ng reas o n ab l e at t o rn ey ’ s

fees

. Perd u e v

. Ken ny A

. ex rel W i n n

, 5 5 9 U.S. 5 42

, 5 4 6 (2 0 1 0). A d i s t ri ct co u rt h as

“ g reat l at i t u d e t o d et erm i n e a reas o n ab l e ho u rl y rat e b ecau s e i t is i n t im at el y fam i l i ar

wi t h i t s lo cal b ar[,] ” Ban k s v

. Sl ay

, 8 7 5 F.3 d 87 6

, 8 8 2 (8 t h Ci r. 2 0 1 7 ) (i n t ern al

q u o t at i o n m ark s o m i t t ed ), an d i t m ay rel y o n reco n s t ru ct ed t i m e en t ri es t o cal cu l at e

t h e h o urs wo rk ed i f t h o s e en t ri es “ s at i s fact ori l y d o cu m en t [t h e] t im e[.] ” M acDi s s i

v

. Val m on t In d u s

., In c., 8 5 6 F.2 d 10 5 4

, 10 6 1 (8 t h Ci r. 1 9 8 8). A d i s t ri ct co u rt s h o u ld

ex cl u d e “ h o u rs t h at were n o t ‘ reas on ab l y ex p en ded ’ ” fro m i t s cal cu l at i o ns

, Hen s l ey

,

4 6 1 U.S. at 43 4 (q u o t i n g S. Rep

. No

. 94 -1 0 1 1

, at 6 (1 9 7 6)), an d m ay red u ce a fee

award i f a p l ai n t i ff d o es no t o b t ai n al l t h e rel i ef s h e s o u g h t

. See i d

. at 43 5 -3 6 (fi n d i n g

t h at co u rt s can red uce a fee award t o acco u n t fo r u n s u cces s fu l cl ai m s ).

Fo x A s s o ci at es arg u es o n ap p eal t h at t h e di s t ri ct co u rt co m m i t t ed t h ree erro rs

i n cal cu l at i n g i t s award of at t o rn ey ’ s fees

. Fi rs t

, Fo x As s oci at es arg ues t h at i t

i m p l em en t ed al l t h e rem ed i es Ap p el l ees s o u g ht b efo re th e d is t ri ct co urt ru l ed i n t h ei r

fav o r, i n cl u d ing of

f e r ing c a ptione d pe r f

o r m a nc e s, public iz ing those p erfo rm an ces an d

p ro v id i n g a w ay

t o req u es t cap t i o n i n g , p ro v id i ng h an d h el d cap t i o n i n g d ev i ces

, an d

al l o wi n g d eaf an d h ard -o f-h eari n g i n d i v id u al s t o o b t ai n t i c k e t s th ro u g h n o n

t el ep ho n i c m ean s

. Fo x A s s o ci at es co n t en ds

, th erefo re, t h at Ap p el l ees ’ co u n s el

s h o u ld o n l y b e co m

p en s at ed u p u n t i l t h e d at e t he Fo x i m pl em en t ed t h o s e rem ed i es

.

Ho wev er, as Ap pel l ees co rrect l y p o i n t o u t i n t h ei r b ri ef, th e p art ies co n t i n u ed t o fi g ht

o v er h o w m an y cap ti o n ed perfo rm an ces t he Fo x n eed e d to p r ovide

, nothi n g p rev en t ed

t h e Fo x fro m rev ert i n g t o i ts p rev i o u s p o l i ci es

, an d u l t i m at el y t h e d i s t ri ct c o u r t

award ed n earl y al l th e rel i ef Ap p el l ees req u es t ed i n t h ei r Am en d ed Co m pl ai nt

. 8 “ [I] n

8 Ap p el l ees ad d it i on al l y req u es t ed t h a t t h e Fo x b e req u i red t o s o l i ci t an d

res p o n d t o cu s t o m er feed b ack o n i t s cap t i o n i n g

. T h e d i st ri ct co u rt d id n ot g ran t t h i s

req u es t

. Ho wev er

, t he Fo x d o es n o t arg u e o n ap p eal t h at th e d i s t ri ct co u rt erred in

fai l i n g t o red u ce t h e at t o rn ey ’ s fees award b as ed on Ap pel l ees ’ fai lu re t o o b t ai n t h i s

rem ed y

.

-1 0

-l i gh t o f t h e s u b s tan t i al rel ief [Ap p el l ees ] o b tai n ed ,” s ee i d

. at 4 3 6

, we co n cl u d e t h at

t h e d i s t ri ct co u rt d i d n o t a b u s e it s d is cret i o n i n fai li n g to red u ce i t s award o f

at t o rn ey ’ s fees b as ed o n p art i al l i t i g at i o n s u cces s.

Seco n d

, Fo x A s s oci at es arg ues t h at Ap p el l ees ’ req u es t ed h o u rl y

rat e— $ 4 5 0

— i s u n reas o n ab l e b ecau s e i t ex ceed s prev ai l i n g m ark et rat es an d b ecau s e

Ap p el l ees ’ co u ns el do es n o t c h a r g e h i s cl i en t s t h at m u ch

. W e n o t e fi rs t t h at

Ap p el l ees ’ co u ns el d o es n o t ch arg e h i s cl ien t s $ 4 5 0 an h o u r b e c a u s e h e d o es n ot

ch arg e a s et fee at al l

. Rat h er, h e rel i es o n t h e j u ri s d i ct i o ns i n wh i ch h e p ract i ces to

d et erm i n e a fai r m ark et rat e. Fo x As s o ci at es d o es n o t ad d res s t h e fact t h at Ap p el l ees ’

co u ns el h as o ver 3 0 y ears o f p ract i ce ex p eri en ce, in cl u d i n g 1 0 y ears o f ex p eri en ce

s o l el y i n ADA l i t i g at i o n i n v o l vi n g i n d i v i d u al s w i t h h eari n g i m p ai rm en t s

. No r d o es

Fo x As s oci at es p res en t an y ev i d en ce t h at $ 4 50 i s ab o v e t h e p rev ai l in g m ark et rat e fo r

s u ch an at t o rn ey i n th e St . Lo u is area. In fact

, Fo x As s o ci at es p res en t s n o ev i d en ce

as t o pr e v a i l i n g m ark et rat es i n t h e St

. Lo u is area ot h er t h an t he rat es fo r i t s o wn

at t o rn ey s

. Becau s e a d i st ri ct co u rt i s p res u m ed t o b e fam i l i ar wi t h t h e m ark et rat es

i n i ts ju ri sd i ct i on

, s ee Ban ks

, 87 5 F.3 d at 8 8 2

, an d b ecau s e Fo x As s o ci at es has fai l ed

t o p res en t ev id en ce t h at t h e m ark et rat e th e d i st ri ct co u rt ch os e i s u n reas o n ab l e, we

fi n d t h at t h e d i s t ri ct co u rt d id n o t ab u s e i t s d i s cret i o n i n s et t i n g an h o u rl y rat e o f

$ 4 5 0

.

Th i rd an d fi nal l y

, Fo x As s o ci at es arg u e s t h at t h e d i s t ri ct co u rt s h o u l d h av e

red u ced i t s fee award b ecau s e A p p el l ees ’ co un s el i m p erm i s s i b ly reco n s t ru ct ed t i m e

en t ri es aft er t h e fact

, bi l l ed an ex ces s i v e nu m b er o f h o u rs , an d i m

p erm i ss i b l y b i l l ed

n o n -at t o rn ey

wo rk at th e at t o rn ey rat e. Ho wev er, reco n st ru ct ed t im e en t ri es d o n ot

n eces s ari l y req u ire a fee red u ct i o n

, s ee M acDi s si

, 8 5 6 F.2 d at 1 06 1

, an d t h e d i s t ri ct

co u rt d et erm i n ed th at t h e reco n s t ru ct ed en t ri es

, wh i ch d e a l t o n l y wi t h b ri ef

co m m u n icat io ns

, s at i s fact o ri ly d o cu m en t ed t h e t i m e. W e ag ree. Th e d i st ri ct co u rt

co n du ct ed a t h o ro u g h rev i ew o f t h e t im e en t ri es i n t h is cas e an d co n cl u d ed t h at 5

. 7

h o u rs of w o rk were n o t co m p e n s a b l e a s ei th er n o n -at t o rn ey wo rk o r u n reas o n ab l y

-

-1 1

-ex p en d ed h o u rs

. Fo x As s o ci at es p ro v i d es n o ev i d en ce t h at th e d i st ri ct co u rt ab u s ed

i t s d is cret i o n i n fai li n g t o ex cl u d e m o re h o u rs ; i n d eed

, Fo x As s o ci at es d o es n o t ev en

i n d i cat e h o w m an y h o u rs i t b el i ev es were ex ces s i v e. W i t h o u t m o re, we can n o t s ay

t h e d i st ri ct co u rt ab u s ed it s d i s cret i o n i n fai l in g t o red uce it s fee award fu rt h er f o r

i n effi ci en cy , an d we u p h o l d t h e d i st ri ct co urt ’ s award o f at t o rn ey ’ s fees

.

IV.

W e affi rm

t h e d i s tri ct co u rt ’ s ju d g m en t i n fu l l

.

GRASZ, Ci rcu i t J u dg e, d i s s en t i n g

.

Th ere i s an o l d ad ag e t h at “ b ad fact s m ak e b ad l aw.” Co l b r u n o v. Kes s l er

,

_ _ F.3 d

__ , 2 0 1 9 W L 27 5 1 4 34

, at * 7 (1 0 t h Ci r. J u l y 2

, 2 0 1 9 ) (Ty m k o vi ch

, C.J

.,

d i s s en t i n g). Li k ewi se, a l i ti g at i o n s t rat eg y can res u lt i n b ad l aw l ead i n g t o u n fo res een

co n seq u en ces

. I fear t h at m ay b e t h e cas e h ere. Fo r w h a t e v e r reas o n

, t h e Fo x

ad d res s ed o n l y t h e q u es t i o n o f m ean i n g fu l acces s an d fai led t o as s ert an u n d u e b u rd en

d efen s e at t he s u m m a r y j ud g m en t s t ag e, ev en t h o ug h t h e Fo x s ay s t h e co s t o f

p ro v id i n g an i n -p ers o n cap t i o n er at each p erfo rm an ce is s u bs t an ti al

. Th i s has res u l t ed

i n a d eci s i o n t h at co u l d u n d ercu t t h e m ean i n g fu l acces s preced en t of t hi s ci rcu i t

. S ee,

e.g

. , Ar g en yi v. Cr ei g h to n Un i v. , 7 0 3 F.3 d 4 4 1 , 4 4 9 (8 t h Ci r. 2 0 1 3 ).

Un d er t he m ean i n g fu l acces s s t an d ard

, “ ai d s an d s erv i ces ‘ are n o t req u i red to

p ro d uce t h e i d en ti cal res u l t o r l ev el o f ach i ev em en t fo r h an d i cap p ed an d

n o n h an d i cap p ed p ers o n s ,’ b u t t h ey nev ert h e l e s s ‘ m u s t affo rd han d icap p ed p ers on s

eq u al o p p o rt u n i ty t o

. . . g ai n t h e s am e b en efi t.’ ” Id

. at 4 4 9 (al terat i o n i n o ri g i n al )

(q u o ti n g Lo

ye v. Ct y. o f Da ko t a

, 6 2 5 F.3 d 4 9 4

, 4 9 9 (8 t h Ci r. 2 0 1 0 )). W h i l e t h e ADA

i s b ro ad i n sc o p e

, t he l aw d oes n o t req u i re i n s t i t ut i o n s t o pro v i de al l req u es t ed

au x il i ary ai d s an d s erv ices b u t i n s t ead o n l y “ n eces sary ” o n es

. Id

. Th e l aw t es t s wh at

l ev el o f p ro v i si o n o f n eces s ary ai d s an d s er v i c e s i s req u i red fo r m ean i n g fu l acces s

wi t h o u t reach i n g t h e affi rm at iv e d efen ses

. S e e L o y e

, 6 2 5 F.3 d at 49 9

. Th i s i s an“ i n heren t l y fact -i n t en s iv e” i n q u i ry t hat “ larg el y

d ep en d s o n co nt ex t .” See Ar g en yi

,

7 0 3 F

. 3 d a t 4 4 9 ( q uo t i n g Li es e v. In d i an Ri ver Ct y. Ho s p

. Di s t.

, 7 0 1 F.3 d 3 3 4

, 3 4 3

(1 1 t h Ci r. 2 0 1 2 )).

Here, t h e Fo x o ri g i n al ly p ro v i d ed i t s heari ng -i m p ai red p at ro ns wi t h an

Am eri can Si gn Lan g u ag e i n t erp ret e r

. A n d t h en

, aft er l i t i g at i o n en s ued

, t h e Fo x

p ro v id ed Ch i l dres s wi t h t he s p eci fi c acco m m o d at i o n s he as k ed fo r, l i v e cap t i o n i n g

at o n e s ho wi n g o f each req u es t ed p r o d u ct i o n

. W h en Ch i l d res s req u es t ed l i v e

cap t i on i n g at a d i fferen t s h o wi n g

, th e Fo x p ro v i d ed cap t i o n i ng at h er r e q u e s t ed

s h o wi n g

. In fact

, s in ce t h ei r ori g i n al co m p ro m i se was reach ed

, t h ere is n o ev i d en ce

t h at an y o f t h e p l ai n t i ffs h av e b een d en ied cap t i o n i n g at a req u es t ed s h o wi n g

.

Yet t h e co u rt co n cl ud es t h at

, al t ho u g h t h e Fo x p ro v i d es real t i m e cap t i o n i n g

fro m a l i v e, i n -p ers on co urt rep o rt er fo r at l eas t o ne p erfo rm an ce of ev ery p ro d u ct i o n

at i ts th eat er an d has d em o n s t rat ed a wi l l i n g n es s t o w o rk wi th p at ro n s to

acco m m o d at e req ues ts fo r al t ern at i v e d at es

, i t m u s t in s t ead p ro v i d e th i s s erv i ce at

ever y p erfo rm an ce o f ev ery p ro d u ct i o n in o rd er t o p ro v i d e m ean i n g fu l acces s

.

Ch i ld res s ex p res s l y arg u ed

, an d t h e co u rt s eem i n gl y ag rees

, t h e Fo x h as no ab i l i t y to

l i m i t th e freq u en cy of t h e l i ve cap ti o n i n g s e r v i c e s i t p ro v i d es

. In m y v iew, t h i s

co n cl u s i o n effect i v el y rep l aces t h e m ean i n gfu l acces s t es t wi t h an id en t i cal a c c e ss

s t an d ard

. I a l so bel i ev e t h i s co n cl u s i o n i m p ro p erl y cab i n s arg u m en ts ab o u t wh at

acces s q u al i fi es as m ean i n g fu l to t h e co n t ex t o f affi rm at i v e d efen s es ev en t h o u g h t h e

d efen s es t es t wh et h er t h e au x i l i ary ai d o r s erv i ce m us t b e p ro v i d ed at al l

, no t wh at

l ev el o f acces s i s m ean i n g f u l

. S ee, e.g

. , i d

. at 4 5 1 n .3

. It i s t h e m ean i n g fu l acces s

an al y s i s, n o t t h e u n d u e b u r d en s t an d ard

, t hat d et erm in es w h et her i t i s n eces s ary to

p ro v id e a co u rt rep o rt er at ev ery p erfo rm an ce.

F or tuna t e ly f or al l co n cern ed

, ad v an ced t ech n o l o g y ap p ears po i s ed t o m o o t t h is

i s su e as a p rac t i c a l m a t t er b y m ak i n g real t i m e cap ti o n in g o f l i v e p erfo rm an ces

i n ex p en si v e an d ro u ti n e. T h i s d o es n ot

, ho wev er, n eg at e t he l eg al p ro b l em

. A l eg al

-1 3

-s t an d ard req ui ri n g i d en t i cal acces s i n t h e co n tex t o f au x i l i ary ai ds an d s erv i ces m ay

h av e far-reach i n g u n fo res een co n s eq u en ces in o t h er co n t ex t s

. Id en ti cal acces s wo u ld

p o s s i b l y req ui re, fo r ex am

p l e, 2 4 / 7 s i g n l an gu ag e t ran s lat i o n i n h o s p i t al s as wel l as

a m y ri ad o f o t h er req u i rem en t s

. Su ch a res u lt i s n o t co ns i s ten t wi t h o u r m ean i n g fu l

acces s p reced en t

. S

e e L o y e

, 6 2 5 F.3 d at 49 9 (affi rm i n g d i st ri ct co u rt ’ s o p i n i o n

reject i n g t h e co n t en t i o n t h at “ an i n terp ret er i s m an d at ed fo r ev ery m eet i n g ”). Th e

b en efi t t h e F o x o ffers is t h e o p p o rt u n i t y t o at t en d trav el i n g Bro ad w ay p ro d u ct i o n s

.

Acces s t o t h i s b e n e f

i t d o es n o t req u i re l i v e co u rt rep o rt ers at each an d ev ery

p erfo rm an ce o f ev ery

p ro d u ct i on i n o rd er t o b e m ean i n g fu l

.

I res p ect fu l l y

d i s s en t

.

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-