Document: 499 U.S. 432 111 S.Ct. 1435 113 L.Ed.2d 486 Richard B. KAY, Petitionerv.Bremer EHRLER & Kentucky Board of Elections. No. 90-79. Argued Feb. 25, 1991. Decided April 16, Timothy Dyk, Washington, D.C., for petitioner. Ann M. Sheadel, Frankfort, Ky., respondents. 1 Robert A. Long, Jr., the as amicus curiae, in support respondents, by special leave Court. Syllabus 2 After respondent Elections denied petitioner Kay's request to have his name placed on a primary ballot President United States, Kay, an attorney licensed practice Florida, filed civil rights action own behalf District Court, challenging constitutionality state statute which relied. Although he prevailed merits, court attorney's fees under 42 U.S.C. § 1988, and Court Appeals affirmed. 3 Held: A pro se litigant who is also lawyer may not be awarded 1988. Neither 1988's text nor its legislative history provides clear answer question whether represents himself should treated like client has independent or other litigants, who, Courts correctly decided, are entitled fees. However, overriding concern with obtaining counsel victims violations order ensure effective prosecution meritorious claims. That policy best served rule that creates incentive retain every case rather than disincentive employ whenever plaintiff considers competent litigate behalf. Even skilled at disadvantage contested litigation because ethical considerations make it inappropriate him appear witness, deprived judgment third party during litigation. Pp. 435-438. 4 900 F.2d 967 (CA 6 1990), 5 STEVENS, J., delivered opinion unanimous Justice STEVENS 7 The successful "a reasonable fee part costs" 1988.1 8 Petitioner law Florida. In 1980, requested (Board) place Democratic Party's office States. Because members concluded was candidate "generally advocated nationally recognized" within meaning controlling statute, Ky. Rev.Stat.Ann. 118.580 (Michie 1982) (repealed 1982), refused request. 9 statute. Kay v. Mills, 490 F.Supp. 844, 852-853 (ED Ky.1980). held invalid entered injunction requiring petitioner's ballot. Id., 855. Two years later, General Assembly repealed 1986, however, enacted identically worded Ky.Rev.Stat.Ann. 118.581 1982 Supp.1988). 1987, again ballot, when initially request, brought suit prevailed.2 This time, award 1988.3 10 1988 based Falcone IRS, 714 646 (CA6 1983), cert. denied, 466 908, 104 1689, 80 162 (1984).4 App. Pet. Cert. 14a. States Sixth Circuit (1990). majority read language assuming existence paying relationship between client." 971. Moreover, purpose hired objective attorney—rather serving both claimant advocate—to provide "filtering meritless claims." Ibid. dissenting judge emphasized statutory goals promoting lawsuits protect relieving prevailing burdens 972-973. 11 We granted certiorari, 498 807, 38, 112 15 (1990), resolve conflict among Circuits agreement, proposition fees.5 does disagree these cases, see Brief 9, n. 4, we satisfied they were decided. then litigants had benefit advice advocacy attorney. 12 do think either answer. On one hand, "attorney," obviously handled professional responsibilities this manner. word "attorney" assumes agency relationship,6 seems likely Congress contemplated attorney-client predicate 1988.7 section no doubt intended encourage protecting rights, true more specific enable potential plaintiffs obtain assistance vindicating their rights.8 13 end, agree interest violations. not, rely primarily desirability filtering out Rather, interested ensuring 14 Ethical witness.9 He framing theory case, evaluating alternative methods presenting evidence, cross-examining hostile witnesses, formulating legal arguments, making sure reason, emotion, dictates proper tactical response unforeseen developments courtroom. adage fool client" product experience seasoned litigators. authorizes awards litigants—even if limited those bar would create such considered furthering claims better case. 16 17 It so ordered. Civil Rights Attorney's Fees Awards Act 1976, Pub.L. 94-559, 90 Stat. 2641, amended, When determined same person successfully challenged Kentucky's election added Magistrate found moot point "[t]he laws remain books problem posed voters future candidates, including [petitioner], remains unsolved without action." 20a-21a (citation omitted). costs former, but latter. Only issue before us. Falcone, declined Freedom Information (FOIA), 552. reasoned FOIA actions "to relieve legitimate burden claimants seek commencing litigation." F.2d, 647. relied fact "[a]n necessary expertise unlikely 'detached perspective' fulfill aims Act." See, e.g., Gonzalez Kangas, 814 1411 (CA9 1987); Smith DeBartoli, 769 451, 453 (CA7 1985), 475 1067, 106 1380, 89 606 (1986); Turman Tuttle, 711 148 (CA10 1983) (per curiam ); Owens-El Robinson, 694 941 (CA3 1982); Wright Crowell, 674 521 curiam); Cofield Atlanta, 648 986, 987-988 (CA5 1981); Lovell Snow, 637 170 (CA1 Davis Parratt, 608 717 (CA8 1979) curiam). definition Webster's Dictionary reads follows: "[O]ne legally appointed another transact business him; specif: agent qualified act suitors defendants proceedings." New Collegiate 73 (1975). Other dictionaries, popular specialized, emphasize definitions "attorney." American Heritage 140 (Second College ed. ("A another, esp. law"); Black's Law 128 (6th 1990) ("[A]n substitute, authorized stead another. An agent, acting another"); Compact Edition Oxford English 553 (1981 ed.) ("One ordained another; deputy, commissioner"). argues organizations receive even represented themselves, individual permitted himself. organization comparable always counsel, in-house bono, thus, there relationship. Both Senate House Reports explain provision give citizens access could enforce rights: "In many cases arising our laws, citizen must sue little money hire lawyer. If private able assert . opportunity recover what them vindicate court." S.Rep. 94-1011, p. (1976), U.S.Code Cong. Admin.News pp. 5908, 5910. Report, accompanying bill similar wording bill, expressed concern: "Because vast cannot afford unable present courts. authorizing fees, [this bill] designed persons judicial process where grievances can resolved according law." H.R.Rep. 94-1558, (1976). hearings, Subcommittees focused need average lawyers court. Legal Fees, Hearings Subcommittee Representation Citizen Interests Committee Judiciary, 93d Cong., 1st Sess., 1-2, 3-4, 273 (1973) (addressing coal miners receiving adequate coverage); id., 466, 470-471, 505-509, 515 veterans $10 contingent fee); 789, 808-810 (Indians' lawyers); 1127, 1253-1254 (average attorney); Awarding Attorneys' Courts, Liberties, Administration 94th 60, 189, 192, 254-256, 292, 328 (1975) (private needed fee-shifting provisions made whole again). ABA Model Code Professional Responsibility (1977) describes conflict: "The roles advocate witness inconsistent; function advance argue cause while facts objectively." EC 5-9.

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