Opinion ID: 589992
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: against defendant wayne

Text: 80 We have remanded for district court determination the question of Wayne's liability, if any, for the libel committed by the secretary of its board of trustees. If Wayne is ultimately determined to be held liable to plaintiffs on this account, the district court will determine also its liability for costs and attorney fees, if any. 81 With respect to the issue of retaliation discussed in part IV, we also REMAND to the district court the determination of costs, if any, to be assessed against Wayne for retaliation under the Michigan act. 82 [T]he Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act. M.C.L. § 37.2802; M.S.A. § 3.548(802) provides: 83 A court, in rendering a judgment in an action brought pursuant to this article, may award all or a portion of the costs of litigation, including reasonable attorney fees and witness fees, to the complainant in the action if the court determines that the award is appropriate.The decision to grant or deny an award of attorney fees under the section is discretionary with the trial court. King v. General Motors Corp., 136 Mich.App. 301, 308, 356 N.W.2d 626 (1984). The purpose of the provision is to encourage persons deprived of their civil rights to seek legal redress, to ensure victims of employment discrimination access to the courts, and to obtain compliance with the act and thereby deter discrimination in the work force. King, supra, p. 307-308, 356 N.W.2d 626. Jenkins, 369 N.W.2d at 231. 12 84 If plaintiffs are found entitled to at least nominal damages under Michigan law for retaliation under the circumstances of this case, the district court, on remand, must determine the costs and attorney fees, if any, that are properly assessed against Wayne. 85 Victory in civil rights litigation is not always measurable in ordinary economic terms. As a plurality of the Court opined in City of Riverside v. Rivera, [477 U.S. 561, 106 S.Ct. 2686, 91 L.Ed.2d 466 (1986) ].... Regardless of the form of relief he actually obtains, a successful civil rights plaintiff often secures important social benefits that are not reflected in nominal or relatively small damages awards. 86 Romberg v. Nichols, 970 F.2d 512, 519 (9th Cir.1992). 87 This has been a difficult case, we recognize, for the district court, as well as this court. We are reluctant to remand any issues for a second time, but feel compelled, in the interests of justice, to reach the decisions involving remand and reconsideration for the reasons stated. 88 We AFFIRM the judgment for defendants on emotional distress. We REVERSE the award of no damages to either plaintiff as to defendant Ford on the libel issue, and REMAND for further proceedings as to liability of defendant Wayne in this regard. We AFFIRM the judgment for defendant Wayne on civil rights liability under 42 U.S.C. § 1983. We REMAND on the issue of liability for non-economic damages against Wayne for retaliation under Michigan law. We AFFIRM, however, the judgment for defendant Wayne on the issue of economic damages for retaliation. 89 Finally, 13 we REMAND for a determination of costs, and for attorney fees, if any, against the defendants in accord with the principles herein set forth. Fees and costs allowed should be limited to those areas in which plaintiffs were prevailing parties.