Document: 447 U.S. 54 100 S.Ct. 2024 64 L.Ed.2d 723 NEW YORK GASLIGHT CLUB, INC., et al., Petitioners,v.Cidni CAREY. No. 79-192. Argued Feb. 19, 1980. Decided June 9, Syllabus Section 706(k) of Title VII the Civil Rights Act 1964 provides that in "any action or proceeding under this title" court may allow attorney's fees to "the prevailing party," other than Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) United States. Alleging petitioners had denied her employment because race, respondent filed an discrimination charge with EEOC, which, as required by VII, forwarded complaint appropriate New York administrative agency. Respondent was represented counsel throughout and judicial proceedings state system, which ultimately resulted affirmance agency's order directing offer pay back wages but not awarding fees. Meanwhile, EEOC reassumed jurisdiction and, § 706(f) issued a right-to-sue letter respondent, who suit Federal District Court, alleging claim inter alia, seeking relief, including Petitioners having agreed comply order, Court dismissed federal action, except for respondent's request fees, services proceedings. The later fee request, ruling although EEOC's issuance forced preserve rights filing court, mere did entitle aggrieved party option pursuing remedies without incurring any expenses legal services, since law case support is be presented hearing examiner one attorneys. Appeals reversed. Held : Sections authorize federal-court recover award work done complainant referred pursuant provisions no special circumstances exist would justify denial award. Pp. 60-71. (a) Congress' use broadly inclusive disjunctive phrase proceeding" indicates intent subject losing costs includes incurred Other statute interact 706(k), purpose facilitate bringing complaints, humanitarian remedial policies statute's structure cooperation between enforcement authorities—calling deferral proceedings, before courts being supplements available remedies—all point conclusion awards are authorized well Since Congress intended 706(f)(1)'s authorization civil encompasses solely obtain local 60-66. (b) Awarding State does infringe on State's powers Tenth Amendment, power 5 Fourteenth Amendment broad overrides interest might have authorizing Nor there merit argument pre-empt has been clearly expressed. "pre-empt" law, 706(f)(1) merely supplemental right sue if satisfactory relief obtained forums, aspect complete considered necessary fulfillment goals. And even it can said pre-empts rule, achieve result manifest. Furthermore, availability agency attorney present at public "special circumstance" depriving award, private needed assist during procedures after public-hearing stage, appears hearing, he represent complainant's interests, rather those State. 66-70. 598 F.2d 1253, affirmed. Albert N. Proujansky, City, petitioners. James I. Meyerson, respondent. Harriet S. Shapiro, Washington, D.C., States al ., amici curiae, leave Court. Mr. Justice BLACKMUN delivered opinion 1 This presents question whether, 1964, performed prosecuting requires claimants invoke. 2 * Cidni Carey, August 1974, applied cocktail waitress petitioner Gaslight Club, Inc. After interview, she advised position available. 3 following January, petitioners, Club its manager, race. App. Brief a1-a3. As 706(c) 78 Stat. 259, redesignated, 86 104, 42 U.S.C. 2000e-5(c), Division Human (Division). 4 In May 1975, investigation counsel,1 found probable cause believe engaged unlawful discriminatory practice. Efforts conciliation failed, Division, N.Y.Exec.Law 297(4)(a) (McKinney Supp.1979), recommended held. Counsel wrote 20, advising Division. He asked "reassume" over so that, necessary, could time. On 22, responded, stating investigator assigned matter soon possible. 6 held two separate days late 1975 early 1976. Both were counsel. 68. No appeared. 13, 1976, discriminated against black. Id., 70. ordered from 1974. 70-72. awarded. 7 appealed Appeal Board, established hear appeals orders 297-a 1972 Supp.1979). Board December 1976 8 begun. Giving due weight finding cause, see 706(b), 2000e-5(b), determined reasonable violated VII. attempts also failed. Commission's General chose sue, 706(f)(1), 2000e-5(f)(1), letter. July 1977; then 90 file district court. 9 26, confirmed Division's order. immediately Board's decision Supreme cross-petitioned 10 September 30, Southern York, asserting claims 1866, 1981, Thirteenth Amendment. 29. alleged hire black, employed only four blacks waitresses 20-year existence. sought declaratory judgment petitioners' practices requiring backpay interest, retroactive employment-related benefits, relief. Petitioners' answer virtually all allegations cited pendency affirmative defense. 11 Appellate November unanimously affirmed determination. v. 59 App.Div.2d 852, 399 N.Y.S.2d 158 (1977). unsuccessfully moved reargument, motion appeal. 12 February 3, 1978, while pending, pretrial conference, their appeal, they 73. One week motion. 43 N.Y.2d 951 (1978). 13 parties thereafter apparently dismissed, See 75-79. 82 hours Of total, spent preparing suit, 22 presenting examiner, 29 defending courts, Pet. Cert. A39-A40. 14 complaint, 35, left pending application further briefing, request. 458 F.Supp. 79 (SDNY 1978). 15 propriety "very doubtful." 80. Although given choice ruled reasoned fortuity need protective should make defendants responsible representing plaintiff forums. 81. 16 relied "had services," Supp.1978), attorneys F.Supp., Parker Califano, 182 U.S.App.D.C. 322, 561 320 (1977), upholding prosecution employee's mandatory preliminary within agency, distinguished ground provide independent prosecute complaint. 17 A divided panel Second Circuit 1253 (1979). ruled: "A complaining successful accordance statutory scheme entitled same manner prevails court." 1260. several factors reaching decision. Among them significant role human agencies scheme; strong preference resolution complaint; importance providing incentive development record; language provision; desirability encouraging retain notwithstanding participation certain points 18 We granted certiorari, 444 897, 204, 62 132 (1979), consider antidiscrimination II 19 261, 2000e-5(k), provides: 20 "In title discretion, party, States, part costs." words statute, "prevailing party" "action title." An examination history nature participated, relationship VII's mechanisms, together persuade us persons situation. 21 little doubt "proceedings" actions. supported comparison another provision Act, namely, 204(b) II, 244, 2000a-3(b). pertinent identical permits respect commenced enacted contemporaneously parts 1964. omission "or understandable, depends Newman Piggie Park Enterprises, 390 400, 401, 88 964, 965, 1263 (1968). It apparent, therefore, carefully tailored each Title. cannot assumed surplusage. argued proceedings,2 such reading least render nullity. find nothing however, suggest draw particular line. Rather, 706(k); VII; authorities, opposite conclusion. 23 authorizes . (Emphasis added.) creates system remedies. uses word "proceeding" describe complainants resort. For example, 706(c), 24 "[N]o expiration sixty unless earlier terminated If requirement commencement imposed authority written signed statement facts upon based, shall deemed purposes subsection time sent ." added). 25 Indeed, "proceeding," plural form, used refer different types enforced, federal, judicial.3 levels inescapable. 26 recently examined legislative 706(k). Christiansburg Garment Co. 434 412, 98 694, 648 (1978), noted "sparse," U.S., 420, S.Ct., 699, clear primary enacting section "make easier limited means bring meritorious suit." Ibid., quoting 110 Cong.Rec. 12724 (1964) (remarks Sen. Humphrey). Because cast "a general," vindicating policy "of highest priority," "ordinarily awarded circumstances." 416, 417, 698. 402, 966. complaints. Permitting situation furthers goal, contrary rule force bear thereby inhibit claim. 27 establishes comprehensive opportunity resolve problems unnecessary resort victims discrimination." Oscar Mayer & Evans, 441 750, 755, 99 2066, 2071, 60 609 envisioned "mes[h] nicely, logically, coherently city legislation," remedying area "[t]he Government governments cooperate effectively." 7205 Clark). 28 Pursuant cooperation, where practice occurred locality prohibiting enforce "no [with EEOC] person terminated." 706(c). practice, referral approved Love Pullman Co., 404 522, 92 616, 30 679 (1972). When prior exhaustion remedies, refers holds "suspended animation." 526, 618. Upon termination 60-day period, whichever comes first, automatically assumes concurrent Ibid.4 course, "ultimate authority" secure compliance resides courts. Alexander Gardner-Denver 415 36, 44-45, 94 1011, 1017-1018, 39 147 (1974). actions both plaintiff. jurisdiction, "as promptly possible" determines whether true. 706(b). additional days, absolute intervene. 706(f). enter into agreement 180 reassumes must issue "right sue" notifying his days. Ibid.5 interrelated complementary viewed discrimination. Initial mandated, recourse forums when prompt 48-50, 1019-1021. 31 construction advocate clashes congressional design. Complainants unable expected wait out focusing efforts obtaining n. 6, infra. Only ensures incorporation meaningful scheme. 32 felt granting "windfall" based unforeseeable became necessary. agree depend finds But our compels reject anomalous unsuccessful partially deny fulfilling plan vindicated level. we conclude proceedings.6 III 33 Against considerations favoring three arguments. First, contend fees7 infringes Second, argue Third, some instances, here Court's discretion. 34 argument. broad, connection Hutto Finney, 437 678, 2565, 57 522 (1978); Fitzpatrick Bitzer, 427 445, 96 2666, 49 614 (1976). 35 cite Florida Lime Avocado Growers, Paul, 373 132, 929, 83 1210, 248 (1963); Schwartz Texas, 344 199, 73 232, 97 L.Ed. 231 (1952), 282 194, 51 119, 75 291 (1931), regulation administration expressed inferred. these cases inapposite. law. "Title designed supplement, supplant, existing laws institutions relating 48-49, 1020. explicitly leaves free, indeed encourages them, exercise regulatory practices. 706(f)(1). Provision ultimate injunction favor complainant, it, proceed "supplement" remedy. fails pre-empted. event, 36 suggestion earlier, court's discretion narrow. Absent circumstances," 966; 416-417, 697-698, "case complaint" deprive Clearly, employee take place 37 procedure, referred, adversary quasi-judicial hearings leading findings fact, appeals, review. first stage investigation; results either dismissal 297(2) prelude hearing. 297(4)(a). makes investigation, stage. Attorney Amici Curiae 4-5. 38 Following conciliate grievance employer. §§ 297(3)(a), (b), (c) 1972). participates behalf staff empowered execute settlement employer objections. 297(3)(c). fail scheduled, 40 "The agents division attorney. With consent division, attorney." 41 At involve 5.8 "encouraged" growing caseload limitations. A58-A59. appellate level, seek Board. 298 appeal adverse claimant. addition, reversing 5-6. thus obvious assistance provided fully adequate, obligation client. times detrimental interests rights. Representation assures factual record investigative both, possible encouraged. act him accept settlement. Retention will help assure compromised process. 44 5; A59-A60. complaint," complainant. entered Without doubt, important play preserving protecting proceedings.9 45 sum, 46 therefore 47 ordered. 48 THE CHIEF JUSTICE joins footnote thereof; view, dealt WHITE REHNQUIST reverse essentially reasons Judge Mulligan dissenting Appeals. 50 STEVENS, concurring judgment. While I most what opinion, useful emphasize litigation merits basic dispute simply Whether costs, nondeferral doubtful plainly record. 52 1977, review yet completed. until sometime months, questions finally removed case. clear, plain 2000e-5(k),* costs. 53 quite if, commenced, empowers "court" allowance underlying dispute. letter, empowering amended, 2000e-5(f)(1). occasion issue, ante, 66. All needs decided properly cover prerequisite action. disposition observe analysis apply appearing Accordingly, concur NAACP Special Contribution Fund. involving employees, upheld exhausted condition E. g., Brown Bathke, 588 634, 638 (CA8 1978); Fischer Adams, 572 406 (CA1 (1977); Foster Boorstin, 342, 340 Johnson 554 632 (CA4 1977). See, e. 260, 105, 2000e-5(f)(1) (court stay "further proceedings" "State proceedings"); 706(i), 107, 2000e-5(i) (Commission commence compel order). evidence promoting federal-state enforcement. "accord substantial weight" determination, 709(b), 262, 108, 2000e-8(b), "cooperate charged fair laws" funding research mutually beneficial projects, work-sharing agreements processing disagree 79, 80 read regardless posture note reason suing almost always found. give Thus, waiting 240 (60 deferral), maximum more permit completion took years desired systems many existence get ensure abandon This, undermine encourage full Law Speer, 111-112, 313 28, (1970), rev'd grounds, 555, 324 297, 272 N.E.2d 884 (1971); Gorton, 933, 934, 302 966, 968 (1969). October 18, regulations amended presentation submit lieu appearance. N.Y.C.R.R. 465.11(d)(2). argument, suggested petition representation group Courts Appeals' decisions contrary. Reynolds Coomey, 567 1166 Torres Sachs, 538 10, (CA 1976). endorsed allowing groups considering, passed, Attorney's Fees Awards 2641, 1988, legislation similar design provision. H.R.Rep.No.94-1558, pp. 8, That part:

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