Legal Document

506 U.S. 103 113 S.Ct. 566 121 L.Ed.2d 494 Dale FARRAR and Pat Smith, Co-Administrators of Estate Joseph D. Farrar, Deceased, Petitioners,v.William P. HOBBY, Jr. No. 91-990. Argued Oct. 7, 1992. Decided Dec. 14, Syllabus * Petitioners, coadministrators decedent Farrar's estate, sought $17 million in compensatory damages, pursuant to 42 U.S.C. §§ 1983 1985, from respondent Hobby other Texas public officials for the alleged illegal closure school that Farrar his son operated. However, Federal District Court awarded them only nominal damages and, subsequently, $280,000 attorney's fees under § 1988. The Appeals reversed fee award on ground petitioners were not prevailing parties eligible Held: 1. A plaintiff who wins is a party "prevails" when actual relief merits claim materially alters legal relationship between by modifying defendant's behavior way directly benefits plaintiff. Hewitt v. Helms, 482 755, 107 2672, 96 654; Rhodes Stewart, 488 1, 109 202, 102 1; State Teachers Assn. Garland Independent School Dist., 489 782, 1486, 866. Here, entitled Carey Piphus, 435 247, 266, 98 1042, 1053, 55 252, because they able establish Hobby's liability denial procedural due process, but could prove injury necessary award. Judgment demand payment modified petitioners' benefit forcing him pay an amount money he otherwise would have paid. inquiry does turn magnitude obtained, whether "technical," "insignificant" victory affect plaintiff's status. Cf. Garland, supra, U.S., at 792, 1493. Pp. ____. 2. Petitioners are While "technical" nature inquiry, it bear propriety most critical factor determining award's reasonableness degree success since based hours expended litigation as whole may be excessive if achieves partial or limited success. Hensley Eckerhart, 461 424, 436, 1933, 1941, 76 40. When recovers failure essential element monetary relief, reasonable usually no all. In light "the between" extent amount, id., 438, S.Ct., 1942, was Court's 941 F.2d 1311 (CA5 1991), affirmed. THOMAS, J., delivered opinion Court, which REHNQUIST, C.J., O'CONNOR, SCALIA, KENNEDY, JJ., joined. filed concurring opinion. WHITE, part dissenting part, BLACKMUN, STEVENS, SOUTER, Gerald M. Birnberg, Houston, Tex., petitioners. Finis E. Cowan, respondent. Justice THOMAS Court. 1 We decide today civil rights receives "prevailing party" receive Fifth Circuit receiving party. Although we hold such party, affirm this case. 2 Davis Lawson owned operated Artesia Hall, Liberty County, Texas, delinquent, disabled, disturbed teens. After Hall student died 1973, County grand jury returned murder indictment charging with willful administer proper medical treatment provide timely hospitalization. also obtained temporary injunction closed Hall. 3 Respondent William Hobby, Jr., then Lieutenant Governor participated events leading closing indicted, issued press release criticizing Department Public Welfare its licensing procedures. He urged department's director investigate accompanied Dolph Briscoe inspection school. Finally, attended hearing spoke reporters after hearing. 4 sued Judge Clarence Cain, Attorney Arthur J. Hartell III, two employees injunctive 1985. complaint deprivation liberty property without process means conspiracy malicious prosecution aimed Later amendments added plaintiff, dropped increased request million. February 20, 1983, substituted plaintiffs. 5 case tried before Southern August 15, 1983. Through special interrogatories, found all defendants except had conspired against plaintiffs proximate cause any suffered "committed act acts color state law deprived Plaintiff right," conduct "a damages" Farrar. App. Brief Opposition A-3. made findings favor accordance jury's answers ordered "Plaintiffs take nothing, action dismissed merits, their own costs." Id., A-6. 6 affirmed part. 756 1148 (1985). court conspirators proved constitutional right. 1151-1152. Because right, however, remanded entry judgment damages. 1152. 7 On January 30, 1987, entered order awarding fees, $27,932 expenses, $9,730 prejudgment interest Hobby. denied motion reconsider 31, 1990. 8 divided panel (1991). reviewing our decisions 654 (1987), (1988) (per curiam ), 866 (1989), majority held therefore ineligible 1988: 9 "The Farrars damages; gave nothing. No declaratory relief. Nothing. . [T]he did succeed securing jury-finding violated one dollar. finding meaningful sense 'change relationship' Nor result 'significant issue achieve[d] some [Farrars] bringing suit.' sole fail see how 'prevails' winning dollar out requested." F.2d, 1315 (citations omitted) (quoting 791-792, 1493).1 10 reasoned even represented sort victory, "surely [the Farrars'] 'a technical so insignificant near situations addressed Rhodes, insufficient support status.' " 1493).2 11 dissent argued "Hewitt, [do not] go far" "where obtains deprivation, cannot considered party." 1317 (Reavley, dissenting). 12 granted certiorari. 502 ----, 112 1159, 117 407 (1992). II 13 Civil Rights Attorney's Fees Award Act 1976, 90 Stat. 2641, amended, 1988, provides relevant part: 14 "In proceeding enforce provision sections 1981, 1982, 1986 title, title IX Law 92-318 ., VI 1964 court, discretion, allow than United States, 15 "Congress intended permit counsel has prevailed merits." Hanrahan Hampton, 446 754, 758, 100 1989, 64 670 (1980) curiam). Therefore, qualify must Under "generous formulation" term, 'plaintiffs parties" purposes significant 433, 1939, 40 (1983) Nadeau Helgemoe, 581 275, 278-279 (CA1 1978)). "[L]iability responsibility hand hand; where defendant been against, either immunity 1988 authorize defendant." Kentucky Graham, 473 159, 165, 105 3099, 3104, 87 114 16 elaborated definition three recent cases. peculiar-sounding question litigates loses claims can nonetheless 'prevailing party.' 757, 2674. prison violations, Helms interlocutory ruling should claim." 760, 2675-76. Observing "[r]espect ordinary language requires least said prevail," Ibid. required settling dispute affects towards plaintiff." 761, 2676 (emphasis omitted). 17 premised solely plaintiffs' First Fourteenth Amendment rights. By time judgment, "one longer custody." 2, 202. these circumstances, held, neither explained "nothing [Hewitt ] suggested [a declaratory] party's automatically renders 1988." 3, 203. reaffirmed judgment—declaratory —"will constitute if, toward 4, Whatever "modification policies" might effected "could benefited whom dead released." Ibid.3 18 synthesized teachings Rhodes. "[T]o within meaning 1988," point resolution changes itself reemphasized "[t]he touchstone material alteration parties." 792-793, test, "obtained vindicating [their] [as] employees" "materially altered [defendant] district's policy limiting teachers communicate each concerning employee organizations union activities." 793, 1494. 19 obtain claim. enforceable sought, Hewitt, 2675, comparable through consent decree settlement, Maher Gagne, 448 122, 129, 2570, 2574, 65 653 (1980). secures settlement. See 764, 2677. Otherwise settlement "affec[t] Only circumstances effect thereby transform into short, III A. 20 Doubtless basic purpose compensate persons injuries caused rights." 254, 1047, 252 (1978). For reason, suit absent proof injury. 264, 1052. Accord, Memphis Community Dist. Stachura, 477 299, 307, 308, n. 11, 106 2537, 2543, 2543-2544, 91 249 (1986). actionable injury." Carey, 1054. "absolute" right "recognizes importance organized society [this] righ[t] scrupulously observed" while "remain[ing] true principle substantial Thus, obligates establishes violation 21 awards enters nor declares suit. 3104; Supreme Virginia Consumers Union Inc., 719, 738, 1967, 1977, 641 To sure, judicial pronouncement Constitution, unaccompanied render Of itself, moral satisfaction [that] results favorable statement law" bestow 762, 2676. occurs until becomes decree, defendant. less millions dollars nominal, modifies pay. As result, erred holding failed parties. 22 previously stated status." 1493.4 example chosen illustrate status test adopt today. case, declared unconstitutionally vague regulation requiring "nonschool hour meetings conducted prior approval local principal." alone sustain there 'no evidence ever refused permission use premises during non-school hours.' deficiency hypothetical "victory" identical shortcoming Despite alter board's benefit. Now confronted confer status, obtained. recognized much noted success" "eligibility award." 790, 1492 original). B 23 Once parties, overall goes reasonableness" (1983). Indeed, factor" "is obtained." Hensley, 1941. Marek Chesny, 3012, 3017, received instead sought. This accomplished little beyond giving knowing federal concluded violated" unspecified way. already observed achieved success, product reasonably times hourly rate amount." Yet calculated precisely fashion, engaging measured exercise discretion. "Where recovery private litigation, district fixing obligated give primary consideration compared sought." Riverside Rivera, 561, 585, 2686, 2700, 466 (1986) (Powell, judgment). Such comparison promotes court's "central" "make assessment what case." Blanchard Bergeron, 87, 96, 939, 946, 67 (1989). Having awarded, lawfully low reciting factors bearing reasonableness, 430, 1937-1938, multiplying number rate," 1939. 24 formally seeks more often allowing vindicate enforcement 1053. highlights actual, compensable 254-264, 1047-1052. basis substantive liability, "must always designed 'to [constitutional] deprivation.' 309, 2544 265, 1053) brackets 256-257, 1048-1049, 1052, apparent heed admonition never 'produce windfalls attorneys,' 580, 2697 (plurality opinion) S.Rep. 94-1011, p. (1976) U.S.Code Cong. & Admin.News 1976 pp. 5908, 5913), "consider[ing] 25 failing recognize correctly accordingly Appeals. 26 So ordered. 27 concurring. 28 If deserved all, lawsuit demanding six defendants. years trips Appeals, got holds today, simply type fees. Accordingly, I join concur judgment. write separately explain fully why, my view, appropriate deny 29 Congress authorized courts fee" certain cases, 1988; 789, 1491, become obtain, absolute minimum, "actual [the] claim," ante, ____, "affects plaintiff," 2676, (1987) omitted); accord, ____ (relief "alte[r] "modif[y] plaintiff"). met minimum condition lawsuit, One exactly bonanza, constitutes merits. And something done. Ante, 30 Nonetheless, explicitly states enough: "Beyond th[e] limitation [of merits], insufficient" read indicating de minimis exclusion second barrier makes clear that, fact, determination fee. Compare ibid. (purely victories "insufficient status") (the "does inquiry" "bear[s] 1988"). exclusion's location debatable, not: purely minimis, awarded. achieve pyrrhic zero. unanimous thus accord. (merely "forma[l]" yield "no all"); 1493 ("Where characterized justified concluding that" appropriate). 31 Consequently, properly need usual complexities involved calculating (court calculate presumptive rate; apply reasonableness). matter common sound administration, wasteful indeed require laboriously mechanically those steps immediately obvious. Instead, enough why announce sensible decision "award fees" 32 Precedent confirms suggests. It saying prevent obtaining denied. Supra, fact summary still appropriate. 'special unjust.' 429, 1937, exception articulated sometimes bound up reasonableness: serves short-hand lodestar wading factors, fee, unjust; conversely, unjust, 33 course, approach makes, wholly inappropriate contrary intent. construing statute, choices made, wish made. Felicitously, here same. Section enacted specific purpose: restore former equitable practice disapproved Alyeska Pipeline Service Co. Wilderness Society, 421 240, 95 1612, 44 141 (1975). 1936; 5913 ("This bill creates startling new remedy—it meets requirements laid down continue attorneys' going [Alyeska decision"). That included who, although technically See, e.g., Tatum Morton, 386 F.Supp. 1308, 1317-1319 (DC 1974) (fees recovered $100 each); Mills Electric Auto-Lite Co., 396 375, 392, 396, 616, 625, 627, 593 (1970) (under judge-made fee-shifting rule shareholder actions corporation, available merely 'technical consequence' Bosch Meeker Cooperative Light Power Assn., 257 Minn. 362, 366, 367, 101 N.W.2d 423, 426, 427 (1960))); cf. Ruckelshaus Sierra Club, 463 680, 688, 9, 3274, 3279, 77 938 ("[W]e do mean suggest trivial victories, justify statutes setting 'when appropriate' standard"). intend every detail pre-Alyeska practice, West Univ. Hospitals, Inc. Casey, 499 111 1138, 68 (1991), denying victors clearly preserve. expressly grants discretion withhold circumstances: "may" "in discretion." occurrence circumstance. Chimerical accomplishments kind change promote statute. 34 contemplates yet another mechanism. statute authorizes "as denies costs, well; nothing of." costs Rule Procedure 54(d) technical. Lewis Pennington, 400 806, 819 (CA6) (" prima facie costs' unless 'the actually amounted defendant' Lichter Foundation, Welch, 269 142, 146 (CA6 1959))), cert. denied, 393 983, 89 450, 444 (1968); Esso Standard (Libya), Wisconsin, 54 F.R.D. 26, (SD Tex.1971) ("Circumstances justifying [exist] sought"); Brown GSA, 425 820, 828, 1961, 1966, 48 402 (inquiry Congress' understanding law, correct not). Just victor 54(d), too 35 context readily apparent: asked bundle pittance. pittance being something. But "render concept meaningless. Every damage obviously many [p]yrrhic ones." Lawrence Hinton, Fed.R.Serv.3d 934, 937 (CA4 1991); Commissioners Medina 221 U.S.App.D.C. 116, 123-124, 683 435, 442-443 (1982) (where net far position originally propounded stretching imagination consider 'victory' claimants"). say minimis. Nominal necessarily make. But, difference suggests ("A "formally 'prevai[l]' 1988" will "often" all). Here suggestion quite strong. dollars; one. hard envision dramatic difference. 36 consideration, however. (1978), represent though proved. ________. look factors. significance prevailed. succeeded issue—liability. victory. just engaged conspiracy. recovering culpable rest legitimately labeled victory—and doubt —surely hollow won point, game, set, match went 37 Given wanted—one seventeen millionth, precise—his goal occupying energy counsel, client. lawyers." 588, 2701, (Rehnquist, tool ensures vindication important rights, large sums stake, making attorney general theory. searches facts vain served. speculated award, deter future lawless conduct, Pet. Cert. A23-A24, identify prevented. deterred verdict, acknowledge "regrettably obtuse." Tr. Oral Arg. 16. misconduct bolt lightning can; devastating, teaches valuable lesson carries discernable meaning. Chicano Police Officer's Stover, 624 127, 131 (CA10 1980) (nuisance fees), cited quoted 38 indicia success—the prevailed, served—all single conclusion: everything deserved—nothing —I affirming below. 39 SOUTER join, certiorari entitles Following (1983), does. With aspect today's decision, agree. respondent, "material alteration" relationship, 1493, 41 reason reach instance. presented petition briefed grounded exclusively threshold requirement At purport abused misapplied precedents belittling ascertaining thing $280,000; especially views fair whatsoever.1 43 Litigation lasted decade, entailed 6-week trial given rise appeals. cases complex, committed task good reason. 436-437, 1941; 789-790, 1492; 945, Estimating particular situation guidance needed. Short fees—which, clearly, not, follow remand reconsideration amount. FTC Anheuser-Busch, 363 536, 542, 80 1267, 1270, 1385 (1960). respondent's conceded oral argument assuming remand. 31-32. vacate further proceedings. dissent. syllabus prepared Reporter Decisions convenience reader. States Detroit Lumber 200 321, 337, 282, 287, 50 L.Ed. 499. Circuit's original 1148, 1152 (1985), estate personal capacity, A-12. assumption petitioned us Smith estate. acknowledged conflict Courts Second, Eighth, Ninth, Tenth, Eleventh Circuits. 1316-1317, nn. 26. Ruggiero Krzeminski, 928 558, 564 (CA2 Coleman Turner, 838 1004, 1005 (CA8 1988); Scofield Hillsborough, 862 759, 766 (CA9 Nephew Aurora, 830 1547, 1553, 1987) (en banc) (Barrett, dissenting), 485 976, 108 1269, 99 481 (1988); Garner Wal-Mart Stores, 807 1536, 1539 (CA11 1987). decided Ninth Circuits rejected Domegan Ponte, 972 401, 410 1992); Romberg Nichols, 970 512, 519-520 1992), pending, 92-402; 525-526 (Wallace, concurring). Fourth adopted consistent Circuit's. Fed.Rules Serv.3d 936-937 Spencer General Elec. 894 651, 662 1990) (dicta). Similarly, 763, 2677, "had long released prison" putatively prompted beneficial policy. "fortuity" subsequent return prison, presumably allowed procedures, "hardly him, retroactively, party' final entered." basis, "[t]hey brief Circuit, argue Rather, asserted "excessive" requested reduced. Defendant-Appellant 90-2830, 38-42.

Classification Label: 5