Court Opinion

ID: 9469467
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-05 02:41:24.260632+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:41:24.215730
License: Public Domain

GINSBURG, Circuit Judge,
dissenting:
The sole question on appeal is whether the district court correctly found that B. E. Sweatt, Jr., did not “substantially prevail” within the meaning of the Privacy Act when, after counsel was appointed to represent him, he gained access to certain Navy records concerning himself (“the Ho file”). Most of the relevant facts are set forth with admirable clarity in the court’s opinion. I highlight below the features of the case that lead me to conclude that “[the] complainant [has] assert[ed] something more than post hoc, ergo propter hoc," and to answer in the affirmative the “critical question . . whether the court suit ‘actually provoked’ the release of the documents,” slip op. at 9 (citations omitted).
In January 1976, Sweatt filed a pro se complaint in the district court against the Navy. As initially framed, Sweatt’s action, principally for libel, presented no Privacy Act claim.
Some months after commencement of the action, in May 1976, Sweatt requested the Ho file from the Commanding Officer, National Naval Medical Center (NNMC). At that time, the file was in the NNMC’s custody. By letter dated June 4, 1976, NNMC advised Sweatt that the file had been returned to the Naval Air Reserve Unit, Andrews Air Force Base (NARU), and suggested that Sweatt contact that organization regarding release of the information.1 Sweatt did not request the file from *426NARU. On August 3, 1976, however, he wrote to the Chief of Naval Personnel, Department of the Navy, requesting a complete copy of his personnel and medical records “in accordance with the terms of the Privacy Act.” In response, the Navy sent Sweatt a form inviting him to identify more precisely the records he sought. The form asked for an explanation of the “purpose for which information or documents are needed,” an inquiry Sweatt questions as inappropriate under the Privacy Act. Apparently, Sweatt never returned the form.
On March 13, 1978, Sweatt, still proceeding in court pro se, amended his complaint to encompass, inter alia, “the refusal to allow [him] to examine [the] file witnessed in the hands of Lt. Ho.” He annexed to his complaint a “motion for discovery” requesting production of ten items. One of these items was the Ho file. Sweatt identified it with particularity:
One file of documents regarding the plaintiff witnessed in the possession of Lt. J. C. Ho, National Naval Medical Center, while plaintiff was confined there, the existence of which is confirmed by letter from one Cmdr. Geer, Legal Department, NNMC to Ms. Linda Cleveland, then acting under limited power of attorney for the plaintiff.
In a further motion, filed September 11, 1978, Sweatt again sought production of “the file witnessed in the hands of Lt. Julian Ho.” “Wishful thinking,” supra 424, is not required to construe these particular references, framed by Sweatt pro se, as a demand, supported by the Privacy Act, for access to the Ho file.
The district court dismissed Sweatt’s amended complaint.2 This court reversed and instructed appointment of counsel to represent Sweatt. Appointed counsel entered his appearance on October 22, 1979. On November 19, 1979, in opposing the Navy’s motion to dismiss, appointed counsel focused attention on Sweatt’s attempt to state a Privacy Act claim, although at that point counsel was not specific about the records sought. Counsel indicated that, after consultation with Sweatt, he might seek leave to amend the complaint. In January 1980, counsel advised Sweatt of his particular and concentrated efforts to secure the Ho file from the Assistant United States Attorney. On February 12, 1980, the district court granted Sweatt leave to further amend his complaint and, on February 15, 1980, the Navy sent appointed counsel a copy of most of the Ho file.
Counsel moved for attorney’s fees asserting that Sweatt had “substantially prevailed” on the access to records aspect of his case, since the Ho file was released only after counsel became involved in the case and concentrated his efforts upon securing the file. In a one-sentence order, the district court denied the motion, finding that Sweatt did not “substantially prevail,” but offering no explanation for the finding.
Assuming, arguendo, that Sweatt’s 1976 efforts, outside the litigation, were inadequate to require the Navy to release a copy of the Ho file, his amended complaint and motions filed in March and September 1978 notified the Navy of his continuing claim for the Ho file. The Navy remained unresponsive until appointed counsel appeared, pursued the matter vigorously with the Assistant United States Attorney, and, in February 1980, succeeded in obtaining copies of all but the first page of the file.
Recognizing that pro se complaints must be held “to less stringent standards than formal pleadings drafted by lawyers,” Haines v. Kerner, 404 U.S. 519, 520, 92 S.Ct. 594, 595, 30 L.Ed.2d 652 (1972) (per curiam), I believe it fair to read Sweatt’s March 1978 amended complaint, particularly in conjunction with the accompanying discovery motion, as encompassing a Privacy Act claim for access to the Ho file. Sweatt’s specific and repeated requests for the file in his 1978 pro se litigation papers gave the Navy plain notice of the information Sweatt sought nearly two years before it furnished him with copies of the documents. When, as a result of appointed counsel’s efforts, *427Sweatt gained access to the Ho file in February 1980, it seems apparent that he “substantially prevailed” on the Privacy Act claim he attempted to state in March 1978. Because the Navy offered no persuasive explanation for withholding the file once Sweatt identified it in his pro se amended complaint and related motions, I would hold the unelaborated finding that Sweatt did not “substantially prevail” clear error.3 Accordingly, I would remand for a determination whether Sweatt is entitled to an attorney’s fee award covering the effort appointed counsel devoted to securing release of the file.4

. In the cover memorandum from NNMC returning the file to NARU, dated June 4, 1976, NNMC informed NARU that “Petty Officer Sweatt and his sister, Ms. Linda Cleveland, requested access to [the file].”

. Earlier, the district court had dismissed Sweatt’s initial complaint. This court reversed and remanded with instructions that an answer be filed.

. The determination whether a plaintiff “substantially prevailed” is a finding of fact, Cox v. Dep’t of Justice, 601 F.2d 1, 6 (D.C.Cir.1979) (per curiam), and as such can be overturned only if clearly erroneous. Fed.R.Civ.P. 52(a).

. Eligibility for a fee does not automatically entitle a litigant to a fee award. See Cox v. Dep’t of Justice, 601 F.2d at 7 (factors to be weighed in determining whether a plaintiff who has “substantially prevailed” is entitled to attorney’s fees).