Document: 491 U.S. 274 109 S.Ct. 2463 105 L.Ed.2d 229 MISSOURI, et al., Petitionersv.Kalima JENKINS, by her friend, Kamau AGYEI, al. No. 88-64. Argued Feb. 21, 1989. Decided June 19, Syllabus In this major school desegregation litigation in Kansas City, Missouri, which various remedies were granted against the State of Missouri and other defendants, plaintiff class was represented a City lawyer (Benson) NAACP Legal Defense Educational Fund, Inc. (LDF). Benson LDF requested attorney's fees under Civil Rights Attorney's Fees Awards Act 1976 (42 U.S.C. § 1988), provides with respect to such that court, its discretion, may allow prevailing party, than United States, "a reasonable fee as part costs." calculating hourly rates for Benson's, his associates', attorneys' fees, District Court took account delay payment using current market rather those applicable at time services rendered. Both employed numerous paralegals, law clerks, recent graduates, court awarded their work based on rates, again historic order compensate payment. The Appeals affirmed. Held: 1. Eleventh Amendment does not prohibit enhancement award 1988 That has no application an ancillary grant prospective relief, State, H tto v. Finney, 437 678, 98 2565, 57 522, it follows same is true calculation amount fee. An adjustment appropriate factor determining what constitutes 1988. Pp. 278-284. 2. correctly compensated graduates services, cost attorneys. Clearly, fee" used cannot have been meant only performed personally members bar. Rather, term must refer product, thus take into attorneys, but also paralegals like. A one calculated basis practices relevant grants successful civil rights "fully compensatory fee," comparable "is traditional attorneys fee-paying client." case, where practice bill separately, Court's decision separate compensation fully accord 284-280. 838 F.2d 260 (CA8 BRENNAN, J., delivered opinion Court, WHITE, BLACKMUN, STEVENS, KENNEDY, JJ., joined, Parts I III O'CONNOR SCALIA, joined. O'CONNOR, filed concurring dissenting part, REHNQUIST, C.J., joined post, p. 289. opinion, 295. MARSHALL, consideration or case. Bruce Farmer, Jefferson Mo., petitioners. Jay Topkis, New York Russell E. Lovell, II, Des Moines, Iowa, respondents. Justice BRENNAN Court. 1 This aftermath Missouri. We certiorari, 488 888, 218, 102 209 (1988), resolve two questions relating 90 Stat. 2641, amended, 42 First, payment? Second, should clerks applying rate work? 2 * began 1977 suit School (KCMSD), board, children board members, defendants. plaintiffs alleged surrounding districts, federal agencies had caused perpetuated system racial segregation schools metropolitan area. They sought remedies. KCMSD subsequently realigned nominal defendant, present future students certified plaintiffs. After lengthy proceedings, including trial lasted 71/2 months during 1983 1984, found liable, while dismissing suburban districts It ordered intradistrict remedies, be paid KCMSD, $260 million capital improvements magnet-school plan costing over $200 million. See Jenkins 807 657 1986) (en banc), cert. denied, 484 816 (1987); 855 1295 granted, 490 1034, 1930, 104 402 (1989). 3 represented, since 1979, Arthur 1982, 1976, 1988.1 associates devoted 10,875 attorney hours litigation, well 8,108 paralegal clerk time. For corresponding figures 10,854 15,517 clerks. Their applications deleted from these totals 3,628 7,046 allocable unsuccessful claims districts. With additions postjudgment monitoring preparation application, total approximately $1.7 $2.3 App. Pet. Cert. A22-A43. 4 Benson's noted qualifications range $125 $175 per hour, "Mr. would fall higher end upon expertise area rights." Id., A26. even $200, however, because three additional factors: preclusion employment, undesirability services. A26-A27. setting several A28-A30. reason, rates. A33. 5 (generally working time), litigation. categories. As case therefore $35 $40 $50 graduates. A29-A31, A34. affirmed all respects. 1988). II 6 Our certiorari extends issues raised first contends cannot, consistent principle sovereign immunity embodied Amendment, compelled pay enhanced question requires us examine intersection our precedents, Hutto 522 (1978), Library Congress Shaw, 478 310, 106 2957, 92 250 (1986).2 7 lower courts Arkansas, pursuant 1988, connection conditions confinement State's prisons. contended any subject Amendme t's constraints actions damages payable treasury. relied, rejecting contention, distinction drawn earlier cases between "retroactive monetary relief" "prospective injunctive relief." Edelman Jordan, 415 651, 94 1347, 39 662 (1974); Ex parte Young, 123, 28 441, 52 L.Ed. 714 (1908). we held, belonged latter category, they constituted reimbursement "expenses incurred seeking relief," liability prelitigation conduct." Hutto, U.S., 695, S.Ct., 2576; see id., 690, 2573. explained: "Unlike ordinary 'retroactive' relief restitution, costs injury brought him court. Instead, reimburses portion expenses he n. 24, 2576, 24. Section noted, fit easily longstanding awarding "costs" statute imposed "as 695-696, citing Fairmont Creamery Co. Minnesota, 275 70, 48 97, 72 168 (1927). 8 therefore, accepted settled strictures Amendment. And if making beyond reach how "reasonable calculated. supra, 696-697, 2576-2577. 9 contends, enunciated undermined subsequent decisions require "express intention abrogate unmistakable language itself." Atascadero Hospital Scanlon, 473 234, 243, 3142, 3148, 87 171 (1985); Welch Texas Dept. Highways Public Transportation, 483 468, 107 2941, 97 389 (1987). Dellmuth Muth, 223, 2397, 181 (1989); Pennsylvania Union Gas Co., 1, 2273, flaw argument lies misreading holding Hutto. could, exercise enforcement power Fourteenth set aside States' retroactive damages, 693, 2574-75, Fitzpatrick Bitzer, 427 445, 96 2666, 49 614 (1976), intended do so enacting 693-694, 2574-2575. But made clear States did depend congressional abrogation immunity. precisely "clear statement" now suggests Arkansas argued plainly immunity; Employees Health Welfare, 411 279, 93 1614, 36 251 (1973), liability" could "in absence extraordinarily explicit statutory mandate." 2576. responded follows: "[T]hese [Employees ] concern conduct relief. imposes 'as costs.' Costs traditionally without regard Ele enth immunity." Ibid. 10 just spoken sufficiently clearly overcome apply Maine Thiboutot, 448 9, 7, 100 2502, 2507, 65 555 (1980). unaffected jurisprudence concerning degree clarity speak override immunity, reaffirm today. 11 Missouri's line supra. Shaw involved "no-interest rule," interest unless expressly waived held Congress, Federal Government potential defendant Title VII 1964, Government's interest. impermissible 30 percent increase "lodestar" Because refused find waiver interest, argues, likewise conclude constitute 12 answer contention already said about Finney. Since, bar analogy.3 There need determine whether meet requirement, irrelevant standard be, stringent applied purposes no-interest rule Shaw. issue here—whether provided manner include enhancement, appropriate, payment—is straightforward matter interpretation. question, relevance party are State. intended—not manifested "the affirmative intent . waive sovereign's 321, 2965.4 13 difficult one. previously explained, albeit dicta, why is, fee." Delaware Valley Citizens' Council, 711, 3078, 585 (1987), rejected entitled augmentation risk nonpayment. care distinguish delay: 14 "First delay. When plaintiffs' entitlement depends success, lawyers until favorable finally eventuates, years later. Meanwhile, doing business continue met. counsel, regularly recognized factor, either basing adjusting historical reflect value. See, e.g., Sierra Club EPA, 248 U.S.App.D.C. 107, 120-121, 769 796, 809-810 Louisville Black Police Officers Organization, Louisville, 700 268, 276, 281 (CA6 1983). Although nonpayment often mentioned breath, former distinct issue. suggest adjustments inconsistent typical fee-shifting statute." 716, 3082. 15 conclusion 1988.5 repeatedly stressed Blanchard Bergeron, 489 87, 939, 103 67 Riverside Rivera, 477 561, 2686, 91 466 (1986); Blum Stenson, 465 886, 1541, 79 891 (1984). received after rendered—as frequently complex litigation—is equivalent dollar reasonably promptly legal performed, normally private billings.6 agree, payment—whether otherwise—is within contemplation statute. 16 To summarize: Finney hold, determination includes not, barred 17 second erred compensating (hereinafter collectively "paralegals") attorney. While agrees personnel included award, $15 below corresponded salaries, benefits, overhead—would $50. According authorize billing paralegals' produces "windfall" attorney.7 18 begin language, simply product Thus, secretaries, messengers, librarians, janitors, others whose labor contributes bills client; profit. parties suggested reason similarly compensated, nor can think any. starting point self-evident proposition more valuated overall 19 specifies "reasonable" product. elements calculated, consistently looked marketplace guide "reasonable." (1984), example, nonprofit service organizations cost. said: "The legislative history establish 'reasonable fees' according community. ." 895, 1547. also, Valley, 732, 3090 (O'CONNOR, concurring) (controlling contingency enhancements "how community compensates contingency"); 591, 2703 (REHNQUIST, dissenting) (reasonableness determined light both profession, fundamental 'reasonable' means deemed billed affluent own attorneys"). market, i.e., [rates] similar skill, experience, reputation," Blum, 896, 11, 1547, Hensley Eckerhart, 461 424, 435, 1933, 1940, 76 40 (1983), S.Rep. 94-1011, U.S.Code Cong. & Admin.News pp. 5908, 5913. 20 If yield level available "increasingly widespread custom separately who serve clerks," Ramos Lamm, 713 546, 558 (CA10 1983), taken account. All else being equal, charged fee, cost, will competing "market rates." words, rate" independent accounted for.8 T us, given "cost." Similarly, too high custom. 21 reject above "cost" Neither petitioners anyone else, knowledge, ever associate firm creates windfall firm's partners otherwise improper merely exceeds practices, force associates. hardly Congress' provide plaintiff's lawsuit permitted defense able advantage obtain work. Yet result appears outside counsel $35. Record 2696, 2699.9 22 Nothing invariably separately. so, requires. Where, treating lawyers' requests way makes economic sense. By encouraging use wherever possible, permitting market-rate "encourages cost-effective delivery and, reducing spiraling furthers policies underlying statutes." Cameo Convalescent Center, Senn, 738 836, 846 (CA7 1984), 469 1106, 780, 83 775 (1985).10 23 Such most communities today.11 concedes local typically services," Tr. Oral Arg. 14, A29, A31, Under circumstances, court's IV 24 approved judgment 25 Affirmed. 26 MARSHALL 27 whom SCALIA joins, THE CHIEF JUSTICE joins part. agree allows join opinion. Part my view permit assessed 29 course, across-the-board Relief "serves directly bring violation though accompanied substantial effect" Papasan Allain, 265, 278, 2932, 2940, (1986). Milliken Bradley, 433 267, 289-290, 2749, 2761-2762, 53 745 (1977), unanimously upheld ordering $5 eliminate effects de jure certain systems. On hand, "[r]elief essence serves injured past," "expressly denominated damages," "relief [that] tantamount past law, styled something else," prohibited Papasan, 2940. crucial respondents' properly characterized (1986), ourt addressed provision 2000e-5(k), permits 2000e-5(k) provides: 31 "In action proceeding subchapter [Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) costs, [EEOC] shall liable person." 32 analysis "interest element substantive claim." 314, 2961 (citing C. McCormick, Law Damages 50, 205 (1935)). Given "no-interest" absent express contrary, unwilling that, equating persons 314-319, 2961-2964. fact word modify "attorney's fees" alter result, explained "consistently impute ambiguous particular phrase 320, 2964. description mandate contrary "[p]rejudgment considered component 'costs,' " "term 'costs' never understood component." 2965 (emphasis added) Wright, A. Miller, M. Kane, Practice Procedure §§ 2664, 2670 (2d ed. 1983); Sedgwick G. Van Nest, 157-158 (7th 1880)). Finally, proper payment: "Interest share identical function. designed belated receipt money." 322, 2965. 33 notes, ante, 281, 3, "added gloss strictness," 318, 2963, reached awards there much hint anywhere discussions definitions dictated by, limited to, rule. quotations illustrate, filled broad, unqualified language. dissenters disagree sweeping characterization damages. 323-327, 2966-2968 (BRENNAN, dissenting). emphatically statement "Shaw represent general-purpose definition governs here." Ante, 3. 34 Two general propositions here emerge costs. delay, function These make constitut reading reliance rationale forth persuasive. teaches 321-322, 2965-2966, controlling. 697, 27, 2577, ("[W]e expand concept category expenses"). Furthermore, mean inclusion forecloses challenge did, then resolved differently, lists 35 Even narrow interpretation proffered terms, fails. triggered barring States: "Outside context 'no-interest rule' awards." inquire exists. fact, States. Virginia West Virginia, 238 202, 795, 808, 59 1272 (1915) ("Nor derogation sovereignty she agreement construed provides") added); North Carolina, 136 211, 221, 920, 924, 336 (1890) ("general principle" "an obligation debt overdue, arise except consent contract statute, form authorized statute") added). recently Carolina inapplicable situations retain 479 305, 310-312, 702, 706-707, 639 (1987) (State immunity), limited, presented indicate, Clark Barnard, 108 436, 447, 878, 882-83, 780 (1883). interpreted Mo.Rev.Stat. 408.020 (1979 Supp.1989), providing prejudgment money becomes due payable, 408.040, judgments orders, Denton Construction Highway Comm'n, 454 S.W.2d 44, 59-60 (Mo.1970) (§ 408.020); Steppelman Comm'n 650 343, 345 (Mo.App. 1983) 408.040). argument, statutes here. "State's courts." Pennhurst Halderman, 89, 99, 900, 907, 37 matter. involving desegregation, (in guise rates) theoretically despite Amendment's liability. enforce provisions Rome 446 156, 179, 1548, 1562-63, 64 119 (1980); 456, 2671, (1976). must, unequivocal expressing generally (1985) ("Congress itself"). 38 avoid deciding met (without enhancement) nature. 695-697, 2575-2577. here, Cf. Osterneck Ernst Whinney, 169, 175, 987, 991, 146 (1989) ("[U]nlike common regarded [the] plaintiff"). sections 1981, 1983, 1985, 1986 title, title IX 92-318, VI view, Atascadero. mention "Congress yet suggesting interest." Rogers Okin, 821 22, (CA1 1987). comparison indicates currently written, insufficient undoubtedly less expansive equate persons. Since logical narrowly worded (through tacked 41 Compensation reasons fees. A26-A27; 260, 263, 265 reverse respondents remand taking Chief dissenting. 43 Unlike approval 44 gives district discretion reads authorizing recovery product," 285, which, concludes, paralegals. itself uses very familiar untutored linguistic juggling rendered individual licensed law. charges fees." prudent customarily like sort office overhead—from secretarial staff, telephone service, stationery, paper clips—in rate, allowing recover "double recovery." 45 finds justification ruling among clients meaning each every vagary practice. logic, investigators, types lay assist preparing long show drastic departure believe new authorization required it. might 'reduc[e] litigation' delegate individuals tasks perform themselves 288, 10, persuasive enact legislation. rewrite legislation enacted. Badaracco Commissioner, 464 386, 398, 756, 764, 78 549 (1984) ("Courts deem susceptible improvement"). 46 suggestion recoverable nonetheless actual expands fairly read out-of-pocket actually course Absent specific expenses, remains limitations Rule 54(d) 1920, govern taxation cost-shifting applicable. 1920 tax losing specifically enumerates six categories taxed costs: marshal; reporter; printing witness fees; copying docket court-appointed experts interpreters. list exclusive. Crawford Fitting J.T. Gibbons, Inc., 482 437, 2494, 385 none possibly hold 47 expenses. part: 92-318 [20 1681 seq.], 1964 [42 2000d point, F.2d, 265-266, conflict resolution 26-28 1987), denied sub nom. Massachusetts Mental Rogers, 1010, 709, 660 (1988). does, sure, contain some isolation, different Most significantly, equated observed 'costs.' Indeed, 2965, observations, divorced special rule" rule, broad proscription com ensation Outside awards, strictures. O'CONNOR's cites, 293, demonstrate existence state embodies ultrastrict construction grown up around 314-317, 2961-2963 (discussing development rule). dealt Government, prospective-retrospective when, decided 304(d) Clean Air Act, 7604(d). guidance, construing 713, 3080, coupled deferred pending completion cause considerable hardship. illustration. During period nearly years, demands prec uded accepting employment. staff operating obliged borrow $633,000. January 1987, $113,000 debt, continuing payments. 2336-2339; 130-131. LDF, deficits $700,000 $1 largely 46. payment, prospect hardship deter willing offer great benefit society large; defeat purpose "encourag[ing] through lawsuits persons." 737, 3093 (BLACKMUN, note availability interim when litigant Teachers Assn. Garland Independent Dist., 782, 791-792, 1486, 1492-1493, 866 differ Courts variety positions Save Cumberland Mountains, Hodel, 263 409, 420, 826 43, 54, vacated grounds, 273 78, 857 1516 (1988) banc); Jacobs Mancuso, 825 559, 563, 1987) (collecting cases); Spanish Action Committee Chicago Chicago, 811 1129, 1138 1987); 558-559 Richardson Byrd, 709 1016, 1023 (CA5), Dallas County Commissioners Richardson, 1009, 527, 710 (1983). 566, 2, 2690, (1986) (noting clerks). Some courts, "out-of-pocket expense," Northcross Board Education Memphis Schools, 611 624, 1979), 447 911, 3000, 862 Thornberry Delta Lines, 676 1240, 1244 (CA9 1982), vacated, 952, 2421, 77 1311 At least expense apart f om Abrams Baylor College Medicine, 805 528, 535 (CA5 1986). distributing profit margin concentrating them sets variant following: "If reimbursed many times next try profit—for items time, clips, electricity, expenses?" Reply Brief Petitioners 15-16. requesting safeguard clips discipline market. capable carrying out tasks, supervision attorney, rate. include, factual investigation, locating interviewing witnesses; assistance depositions, interrogatories, document production; compilation statistical financial data; checking citations; drafting correspondence. Much gray appropriately paralegal. extent applicants surprising greater themselves, increasing Of purely clerical regardless performs them. What Johnson Georgia Express, 714, 717 1974), analogy paralegals: "It work, strict sense, facts statistics accomplished non-lawyers help available. non-legal command lesser Its value it." Amicus National Association Assistants reports 1,800 assistants responding survey association's membership stated firms basis. Curiae 11.

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