Source: https://www.legalcrystal.com/case/104774/new-york-gaslight-club-inc-vs-carey
Timestamp: 2018-02-18 22:30:26
Document Index: 445374337

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 706', '§ 706', '§ 706', '§ 706', '§ 5', '§ 706', '§ 706', '§ 297', '§ 706', '§ 706', '§ 204', '§ 2000', '§ 204', '§ 706', '§ 204', '§ 204', '§ 706', '§ 706', '§ 706', '§ 706', '§ 706', '§ 706', '§ 706', '§ 706', '§ 706', '§ 706', '§ 706', '§ 706', '§ 297', '§ 297', '§ 706', '§ 2000']

New York Gaslight Club Inc Vs Carey - Citation 104774 - Court Judgment | LegalCrystal
New York Gaslight Club, Inc. Vs. Carey - Court Judgment
LegalCrystal Citation legalcrystal.com/104774
Case Number 447 U.S. 54
Appellant New York Gaslight Club, Inc.
new york gaslight club, inc. v. carey - 447 u.s. 54 (1980) u.s. supreme court new york gaslight club, inc. v. carey, 447 u.s. 54 (1980) new york gaslight club, inc. v. carey no. 79-192 argued february 19, 1980 decided june 9, 1980 447 u.s. 54 certiorari to the united states court of appeals for the second circuit syllabus section 706(k) of title vii of the civil rights act of 1964 provides that in "any action or proceeding under this title" the court may allow attorney's fees to "the prevailing party," other than the equal employment opportunity commission (eeoc) or the united states. alleging that petitioners had denied her employment because of her race, respondent filed an employment discrimination charge with.....
New York Gaslight Club, Inc. v. Carey - 447 U.S. 54 (1980)
U.S. Supreme Court New York Gaslight Club, Inc. v. Carey, 447 U.S. 54 (1980)
Held: Sections 706(f) and 706(k) of Title VII authorize a federal court action to recover an award of attorney's fees for work done by the prevailing complainant in state administrative and judicial proceedings to which the complainant was referred pursuant to the provisions of Title VII, and no special circumstances exist in this case that would justify denial of a fee award. Pp. 447 U. S. 60 -71.
(a) Congress' use of the broadly inclusive disjunctive phrase "any action or proceeding" in § 706(k) indicates an intent to subject the losing party to an award of attorney's fees and costs that includes expenses incurred for administrative proceedings. Other provisions of the statute that interact with § 706(k), the purpose of § 706(k) to facilitate the bringing of discrimination complaints, the humanitarian remedial policies of Title VII, and the statute's structure of cooperation between federal and state enforcement authorities -- calling for deferral to state proceedings, with proceedings before the EEOC and in federal courts being supplements to available state remedies -- all point to the conclusion that fee awards are authorized for work done in state administrative or judicial proceedings as, well as in federal proceedings. Since Congress intended to authorize fee awards for work done in administrative proceedings, § 706(f)(1)'s authorization of a civil suit in federal court encompasses a suit solely to obtain an award of attorney's fees for legal work done in state or local proceedings. Pp. 447 U. S. 666 .
(b) Awarding fees for work done in state proceedings for which the State does not authorize fees does not infringe on the State's powers under the Tenth Amendment, since Congress' power under § 5 of the Fourteenth Amendment is broad, and overrides any interest the State might have in not authorizing awards for fees. Nor is there any merit in the argument that Congress' intent to preempt the state law has not been clearly expressed. Section 706(k) does not "preempt" state law, since § 706(f)(1) merely provides a supplemental right to sue in federal court if satisfactory relief is not obtained in state forums, and one aspect of complete relief is an award of attorney's fees, which Congress considered necessary for the fulfillment of federal goals. And even if it can be said that § 706(k) preempts the state rule, Congress' intent to achieve this result is manifest. Furthermore, the availability under New York law of an agency attorney to present the case in support of the complaint at the public hearing is not a "special circumstance" depriving a prevailing complainant of a fee award, since a private attorney is needed to assist the complainant during administrative procedures before and after the public hearing stage, and even if an agency attorney appears at the public hearing, he does not represent the complainant's interests, but rather those of the State. Pp. 447 U. S. 66 -70.
BLACKMUN, J., delivered the opinion of the Court, in which BRENNAN, STEWART, MARSHALL, and POWELL, JJ., joined, and in all but n. 6 of which BURGER, C.J., joined. STEVENS, J., filed an opinion concurring in the judgment, post, p. 447 U. S. 71 . WHITE and REHNQUIST, JJ., filed a dissenting statement, post, p. 447 U. S. 71 .
In May, 1975, after an investigation during which respondent was represented by counsel, [ Footnote 1 ] the Division found probable cause to believe that petitioners had engaged in an unlawful discriminatory practice. Efforts at conciliation failed, and the Division, pursuant to N.Y.Exec.Law § 297(4)(a) (McKinney Supp. 1979), recommended that a public hearing be held.
The words of § 706(k) leave little doubt that fee awards are authorized for legal work done in "proceedings" other than court actions. Congress' use of the broadly inclusive disjunctive phrase "action or proceeding" indicates an intent to subject the losing party to an award of attorney's fees and costs that includes expenses incurred for administrative proceedings. This conclusion is supported by a comparison of § 706(k) with another fee provision in the same Act, namely, § 204(b) of Title II, 78 Stat. 244, 42 U.S.C. § 2000a-3(b). The pertinent language of § 204(b) is identical to that of § 706(k) except that § 204(b) permits an award only with respect to "any action commenced pursuant to this title." The two provisions were enacted contemporaneously as parts of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The omission of the words "or proceeding" from § 204(b) is understandable, since enforcement of Title II depends solely on court actions. See Newman v. Piggie Park Enterprises, 390 U. S. 400 , 390 U. S. 401 (1968). It is apparent, therefore, that the two fee provisions were carefully tailored to the enforcement scheme of each Title. It cannot be assumed that the words "or proceeding" in § 706(k) are mere surplusage.
It might be argued that the words "or proceeding" authorize fee awards only for work done in federal administrative proceedings, [ Footnote 2 ] such as those before the EEOC, but not for
Section 706(k) authorizes a fee award to the prevailing party in " any . . . proceeding under this title." (Emphasis added.) The same Title creates the system of deferral to state and local remedies. The statute uses the word "proceeding" to describe the state and local remedies to which complainants are required to resort. For example, § 706(c), 86 Stat. 104, provides:
administrative and judicial. [ Footnote 3 ] The conclusion that fees are authorized for work done at the state and local levels is inescapable.
This Court recently examined the legislative history and purpose of § 706(k). In Christiansburg Garment Co. v. EEOC, 434 U. S. 412 (1978), it was noted that, although the legislative history of § 706(k) is "sparse," 434 U.S. at 434 U. S. 42 , it is clear that one of Congress' primary purposes in enacting the section was to "make it easier for a plaintiff of limited means to bring a meritorious suit." Ibid., quoting 110 Cong.Rec. 12724 (1964) (remarks of Sen. Humphrey). Because Congress has cast the Title VII plaintiff in the role of "a private attorney general," vindicating a policy "of the highest priority," a prevailing plaintiff "ordinarily is to be awarded attorney's fees in all but special circumstances." 434 U.S. at 434 U. S. 416 , 434 U. S. 417 . See also Newman v. Piggie Park Enterprises, 390 U.S. at 390 U. S. 402 . It is clear that Congress intended to facilitate the bringing of discrimination complaints. Permitting an attorney's fee award to one in respondent's situation furthers this goal, while a contrary rule would force the complainant to bear the costs of mandatory state and local proceedings, and thereby would inhibit the enforcement of a meritorious discrimination claim.
Oscar Mayer Co. v. Evans, 441 U. S. 750 , 441 U. S. 755 (1979). Congress envisioned that Title VII's procedures and remedies would "mes[h] nicely, logically, and coherently with the State and city legislation," and that remedying employment
Pursuant to this policy of cooperation, Title VII provides that where the unlawful employment practice is alleged to have occurred in a State or locality which has a law prohibiting the practice and in which an agency has been established to enforce that law, "no charge may be filed [with the EEOC] by the person aggrieved before the expiration of sixty days after proceedings have been commenced under the State or local law, unless such proceedings have been earlier terminated." § 706(c). In practice, § 706(c) has resulted in EEOC's development of a referral and deferral system, which the Court approved in Love v. Pullman Co., 404 U. S. 522 (1972). When a charge is filed with the EEOC prior to exhaustion of state or local remedies, the Commission refers the complaint to the appropriate local agency. The EEOC then holds the complaint in "suspended animation." Id. at 404 U. S. 526 . Upon termination of the state proceedings or expiration of the 60-day deferral period, whichever comes first, the EEOC automatically assumes concurrent jurisdiction of the complaint. Ibid. [ Footnote 4 ]
Of course, the "ultimate authority" to secure compliance with Title VII resides in the federal courts. Alexander v. Gardner-Denver Co., 415 U. S. 36 , 415 U. S. 11 15 (1974). The statute
authorizes civil enforcement actions by both the EEOC and the private plaintiff. After the deferral period, the EEOC assumes jurisdiction, and, "as promptly as possible," it determines whether there is probable cause to believe that the charge is true. § 706(b). After an additional 30 days, the EEOC is authorized to bring an action, in which the complainant has an absolute right to intervene. § 706(f). If the Commission does not file suit, or enter into a conciliation agreement to which the complainant is a party, within 180 days after it reassumes jurisdiction, it must issue a "right to sue" letter notifying the complainant of his right to bring an action within 90 days. Ibid. [ Footnote 5 ]
It is clear from this scheme of interrelated and complementary state and federal enforcement that Congress viewed proceedings before the EEOC and in federal court as supplements to available state remedies for employment discrimination. Initial resort to state and local remedies is mandated, and recourse to the federal forums is appropriate only when the State does not provide prompt or complete relief. See Alexander v. Gardner-Denver Co., 415 U.S. at 415 U. S. 48 -50.
availability of a federal fee award for work done in state proceedings following EEOC referral and deferral should not depend upon whether the complainant ultimately finds it necessary to sue in federal court to obtain relief other than attorney's fees. But our agreement with the District Court compels us to reject its conclusion. It would be anomalous to award fees to the complainant who is unsuccessful or only partially successful in obtaining state or local remedies, but to deny an award to the complainant who is successful in fulfilling Congress' plan that federal policies be vindicated at the state or local level. Since it is clear that Congress intended to authorize fee awards for work done in administrative proceedings, we must conclude that § 706(f)(1)'s authorization of a civil suit in federal court encompasses a suit solely to obtain an award of attorney's fees for legal work done in state and local proceedings. [ Footnote 6 ]
which the State does not authorize fees [ Footnote 7 ] infringes on the State's powers under the Tenth Amendment. Second, they argue that Congress' intent to preempt the state law has not been clearly expressed. Third, they contend that, even if § 706(k) authorizes fees for work done in state proceedings in some instances, denial of an award here was within the District Court's discretion.
Petitioners cite Florida Lime Avocado Growers, Inc. v. Paul, 373 U. S. 132 (1963), Schwartz v. Texas, 344 U. S. 199 (1952), and Florida v. United States, 282 U. S. 194 (1931), in support of their argument that Congress' intent to preempt state regulation of the administration of state proceedings is not clearly expressed in § 706(k) and should not be inferred. We find these cases inapposite. Section 706(k) does not "preempt" state law. "Title VII was designed to supplement, rather than supplant, existing laws and institutions relating to employment discrimination." Alexander v. Gardner-Denver Co., 415 U.S. at 415 U. S. 449 . Title VII explicitly leaves the States free, and indeed encourages them, to exercise their regulatory power over discriminatory employment practices. Title VII merely provides a supplemental right to sue in federal court if satisfactory relief is not obtained in state forums. § 706(f)(1). One aspect of complete relief is an
We also find no merit in petitioners' suggestion that denial of a fee award was within the District Court's discretion. As noted earlier, the court's discretion to deny a fee award to a prevailing plaintiff is narrow. Absent "special circumstances," see Newman v. Piggie Park Enterprises, 390 U.S. at 390 U. S. 402 ; Christiansburg Garment Co. v. EEOC, 434 U.S. at 434 U. S. 416 -417, fees should be awarded. Petitioners argue that the availability of a Division attorney to present the "case in support of the complaint" is a "special circumstance" which should deprive a prevailing complainant of a fee award. Clearly, however, an attorney is needed to assist the complainant during the state proceedings, and the Division employee does not take the place of private counsel.
§ 297(4)(a) (McKinney Supp. 1979). At the time of the hearing on respondent's complaint, however, the practice of the Division was to involve one of its attorneys only if the complainant was not represented by private counsel. Brief for New York State Attorney General and New York State Division of Human Rights as Amici Curiae 5. [ Footnote 8 ] Complainants were "encouraged" to obtain private counsel due to a growing caseload and staff limitations. App. to Pet. for Cert. A58-A59.
If a Division attorney appears at the public hearing, he does not represent the interests of the complainant, but rather those of the State. Id. at 5; App. to Pet. for Cert. A9-A60. He presents the "case in support of the complaint," not in support of the complainant. N.Y.Exec.Law § 297(4)(a) (McKinney Supp. 1979). Upon appeal, the Division attorney is authorized only to support the order entered by the Division or the Appeal Board. Without doubt, the private attorney has an important role to play in preserving and protecting federal rights and interests during the state proceedings. [ Footnote 9 ]
A quite different question would be presented if, before any federal litigation were commenced, an aggrieved party had obtained complete relief in the administrative proceedings. It is by no means clear that the statute, which merely empowers a "court" to award fees, would authorize a fee allowance when there is no need for litigation in the federal court to resolve the merits of the underlying dispute. Indeed, it is not even clear that the EEOC has the authority to issue a "right to sue" letter, empowering the complainant to bring suit in federal court, after the complainant has obtained complete relief on the merits of his claim in administrative proceedings. See § 706(f)(1) of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as amended, 42 U.S.C. § 2000e-5(f)(1). In any event, the facts of this case present no occasion for the Court's resolution of the issue, ante at 447 U. S. 66 . All that needs to be decided is whether an allowance of fees may properly cover the work