Opinion ID: 1207601
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Excellent Result

Text: McCown argues that his attorney's fees should be granted in full because, while his monetary success was limited, he achieved an excellent result because his success conferred a benefit on the public. We disagree. We have previously noted that results may not be measured solely in terms of damages, and in determining a reasonable fee award on remand, the district court should consider not only the monetary results but also the significant nonmonetary results [the plaintiff] achieved for himself and other members of society. Morales v. City of San Rafael, 96 F.3d 359, 365 (9th Cir.1996). Such a nonmonetary victory may constitute excellent results for the purpose of calculating attorney's fees. The Supreme Court has likewise indicated that when a decision has served the public interest by vindicating important constitutional rights an award of attorney's fees that is disproportionate to the actual damages may be appropriate. Rivera, 477 U.S. at 572, 106 S.Ct. 2686. However, we find this line of cases to be inopposite to McCown's situation. This particular claim was brought against two police officers, not the entire Fontana Police Department or the City of Fontana itself. Moreover, in both Morales and Rivera, the plaintiffs were members of a minority group that was subject to systematic mistreatment by members of the police force. In both cases, the plaintiffs' victories established a deterrent and resulted in a change of policy. See Rivera, 477 U.S. at 574-76, 106 S.Ct. 2686; Morales, 96 F.3d at 364-65. In contrast, McCown did not allege, and has not established, any animus within the Fontana Police Department against him or others like him, nor has his settlement resulted in any change in policy by the Fontana Police Department. McCown argues that his settlement benefits the public by providing an affirmative defense to those at risk of being sued by the individual police officers named in this suit. Such an attenuated public benefit cannot transform McCown's limited success into an excellent result.