Opinion ID: 2140651
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The Use of a Multiplier

Text: Because of the remand, we also address the district court's decision to apply a 1.5 multiplier to the lodestar amount. There is a strong presumption that the lodestar amount represents a reasonable fee. Pennsylvania v. Del. Valley Citizens' Council for Clean Air, 478 U.S. 546, 565, 106 S.Ct. 3088, 92 L.Ed.2d 439 (1986). Nonetheless, in cases where the lodestar amount is either unreasonably low or unreasonably high, the court may use a multiplier to adjust the lodestar amount upward or downward. Blum v. Stenson, 465 U.S. 886, 897, 104 S.Ct. 1541, 79 L.Ed.2d 891 (1984). We stress, however, that an upward adjustment of the lodestar amount is warranted only in rare cases of `exceptional success.' Id. (quoting Hensley, 461 U.S. at 435, 103 S.Ct. 1933). Further, any upward adjustment must be supported by specific evidence in the record and detailed findings by the district court. Del. Valley, 478 U.S. at 565, 106 S.Ct. 3088; see also Blum, 465 U.S. at 898, 104 S.Ct. 1541 (stating that the fee applicant bears the burden of showing that an upward adjustment is necessary to the determination of a reasonable fee (emphasis added)). In this case, the district court determined that given the circumstances and outcome of this case and public policy considerations, a 1.5 lodestar multiplier is fair and reasonable in this case. Besides this statement, the district court did not give any explanation for its decision to use a 1.5 multiplier. It appears that the district court based the decision, at least in part, on its assessment of the plaintiffs' success, as well as the complexity and duration of the litigation. The district court's findings do not support an upward adjustment of the lodestar amount. As we noted in our discussion of the lodestar amount, we believe that the district court overstated the significance of the results obtained by the plaintiffs, given that the jury completely rejected the plaintiffs' claim for millions of dollars in unpaid overtime compensation and the plaintiffs recovered no back pay or other monetary relief. Moreover, because the results obtained, the complexity of the litigation, and the duration of the litigation should be fully reflected in the lodestar amount, these factors should not be used again in determining whether a multiplier is warranted. See Blum, 465 U.S. at 900, 104 S.Ct. 1541; see also supra n. 11. Based on our review of the record, we conclude that this is not the rare or exceptional case that justifies the use of a multiplier. Therefore, on remand, the district court should base the attorney fees award on the lodestar amount alone, without the use of a multiplier. Affirmed in part, reversed in part, and remanded. GILDEA, J., took no part in the consideration or decision of this case. DIETZEN, J., took no part in the consideration or decision of this case.