buckhannon board care home et al west virginia department health human resources et argued february decided may buckhannon board care home operates assisted living residences failed inspection west virginia fire marshal office residents incapable defined state law receiving orders close facilities buckhannon others hereinafter petitioners brought suit federal district state state agencies officials hereinafter respondents seeking declaratory injunctive relief requirement violated fair housing amendments act fhaa americans disabilities act ada respondents agreed stay orders pending case resolution state legislature eliminated requirement district granted respondents motion dismiss case moot petitioners requested attorney fees prevailing party fhaa ada basing entitlement catalyst theory posits plaintiff prevailing party achieves desired result lawsuit brought voluntary change defendant conduct fourth circuit previously rejected catalyst theory district denied motion fourth circuit affirmed held catalyst theory permissible basis award attorney fees fhaa ada american rule parties ordinarily required bear attorney fees courts follow general practice awarding fees prevailing party absent explicit statutory authority key tronic congress employed legal term art prevailing party numerous statutes authorizing awards attorney fees prevailing party one awarded relief see hanrahan hampton judgments merits consent decrees create material alteration parties legal relationship thus permit award catalyst theory however allows award judicially sanctioned change parties legal relationship defendant voluntary change conduct although perhaps accomplishing plaintiff sought achieve lawsuit lacks necessary judicial imprimatur change legislative history cited petitioners best ambiguous availability catalyst theory particularly view american rule history clearly insufficient alter clear meaning prevailing party statutes given meaning need determine way petitioners various policy arguments cut pp affirmed rehnquist delivered opinion scalia kennedy thomas joined scalia filed concurring opinion thomas joined ginsburg filed dissenting opinion stevens souter breyer joined buckhannon board care home et petitioners west virginia department health human resources et al writ certiorari appeals fourth circuit may chief justice rehnquist delivered opinion numerous federal statutes allow courts award attorney fees costs prevailing party question presented whether term includes party failed secure judgment merits consent decree nonetheless achieved desired result lawsuit brought voluntary change defendant conduct hold buckhannon board care home operates care homes provide assisted living residents failed inspection west virginia office state fire marshal residents incapable defined state law see code requiring residents residential board care homes capable capable moving situations involving imminent danger fire code state rules tit ser october receiving cease desist orders requiring closure residential care facilities within days buckhannon board care home behalf similarly situated homes residents hereinafter petitioners brought suit district northern district west virginia state west virginia two agencies individuals hereinafter respondents seeking declaratory injunctive requirement violated fair housing amendments act fhaa stat et americans disabilities act ada stat et seq respondents agreed stay enforcement cease desist orders pending resolution case parties began discovery west virginia legislature enacted two bills eliminating requirement see acts amending regulations ii acts amending statute respondents moved dismiss case moot district granted motion finding legislation eliminated allegedly offensive provisions indication west virginia legislature repeal petitioners requested attorney fees prevailing party fhaa discretion may allow prevailing party reasonable attorney fee costs ada discretion may allow prevailing party reasonable attorney fee including litigation expenses costs petitioners argued entitled attorney fees catalyst theory posits plaintiff prevailing party achieves desired result lawsuit brought voluntary change defendant conduct although courts appeals recognize catalyst theory appeals fourth circuit rejected state bd ed en banc person may prevailing party except virtue obtained enforceable judgment consent decree settlement giving legal relief sought district accordingly denied motion reason appeals affirmed unpublished per curiam opinion judgt order reported resolve disagreement amongst courts appeals granted certiorari affirm parties ordinarily required bear attorney fees prevailing party entitled collect loser see alyeska pipeline service wilderness society american rule follow general practice awarding fees prevailing party absent explicit statutory authority key tronic congress however authorized award attorney fees prevailing party numerous statutes addition issue civil rights act stat voting rights act amendments stat civil rights attorney fees awards act stat see generally marek chesny appendix opinion brennan dissenting designating parties eligible award litigation costs congress employed term prevailing party legal term art black law dictionary ed defines prevailing party party whose favor judgment rendered regardless amount damages awarded award attorney fees prevailing party also termed successful party view prevailing party one awarded relief distilled prior hanrahan hampton per curiam reviewed legislative history found congress intended permit interim award counsel fees party prevailed merits least claims espect ordinary language requires plaintiff receive least relief merits claim said prevail hewitt helms held even award nominal damages suffices test see farrar hobby addition judgments merits held settlement agreements enforced consent decree may serve basis award attorney fees see maher gagne although consent decree always include admission liability defendant see nonetheless chang legal relationship plaintiff defendant texas state teachers assn garland independent school citing hewitt supra rhodes stewart per curiam decisions taken together establish enforceable judgments merits consent decrees create material alteration legal relationship parties necessary permit award attorney fees see also hanrahan supra seems clearly intent congress permit interlocutory award party established entitlement relief merits claims either trial appeal emphasis added think however catalyst theory falls side line examples allows award judicially sanctioned change legal relationship parties even limited form catalyst theory plaintiff recover attorney fees established complaint sufficient merit withstand motion dismiss lack jurisdiction failure state claim relief may granted brief amicus curiae type legal merit prior decisions based upon plain language congressional intent found necessary indeed held hewitt interlocutory ruling reverses dismissal failure state claim stuff legal victories made see also hanrahan supra reversal directed verdict defendant make plaintiff prevailing party defendant voluntary change conduct although perhaps accomplishing plaintiff sought achieve lawsuit lacks necessary judicial imprimatur change precedents thus counsel holding term prevailing party authorizes award attorney fees without corresponding alteration legal relationship parties dissenters chide us upsetting circuit precedent post emphasis added justice scalia points concurrence several courts appeals relied upon dicta prior cases approving catalyst theory see post see also supra issue squarely presented behooves us reconcile plain language statutes prior holdings awarded attorney fees plaintiff received judgment merits see farrar supra obtained consent decree maher supra awarded attorney fees plaintiff secured reversal directed verdict see hanrahan supra acquired judicial pronouncement defendant violated constitution unaccompanied judicial relief hewitt supra emphasis added never awarded attorney fees nonjudicial alteration actual circumstances post urging expansion precedents front dissenters simultaneously abrogate merit requirement prior cases award attorney fees plaintiff claim least colorable groundless post internal quotation marks citation omitted agree term prevailing party authorizes federal courts award attorney fees plaintiff simply filing nonfrivolous nonetheless potentially meritless lawsuit never determined reached destination without obtaining judicial relief post internal quotation marks citation omitted petitioners nonetheless argue legislative history civil rights attorney fees awards act supports broad reading prevailing party includes catalyst theory doubt legislative history overcome think rather clear meaning prevailing party term actually used statute since resorted history garland maher hanrahan however likewise house report phrase prevailing party intended limited victor entry final judgment following full trial merits senate report explains parties may considered prevailed vindicate rights consent judgment without formally obtaining relief petitioners argue reports reference decision appeals eighth circuit parham southwestern bell telephone indicate congress intent adopt catalyst theory think legislative history cited petitioners best ambiguous availability catalyst theory awarding attorney fees particularly view american rule attorney fees awarded absent explicit statutory authority legislative history clearly insufficient alter accepted meaning statutory term key tronic see also hanrahan supra nly party prevailed merits least claims determination substantial rights parties congress determined necessary foundation departing usual rule country party bear expense attorney quoting petitioners finally assert catalyst theory necessary prevent defendants unilaterally mooting action judgment effort avoid award attorney fees also claim rejection catalyst theory deter plaintiffs meritorious expensive cases bringing suit skeptical assertions entirely speculative unsupported empirical evidence whether number suits brought fourth circuit declined relation circuits since decision petitioners discount disincentive catalyst theory may upon defendant decision voluntarily change conduct conduct may illegal defendants potential liability fees kind litigation significant sometimes even significant potential liability merits evans jeff possibility assessed attorney fees may well deter defendant altering conduct petitioners fear mischievous defendants materializes claims equitable relief long plaintiff cause action damages defendant change conduct moot even clear often courts find case mooted well settled defendant voluntary cessation challenged practice deprive federal power determine legality practice unless absolutely clear allegedly wrongful behavior reasonably expected recur friends earth laidlaw environmental services toc internal quotation marks citations omitted case found moot plaintiff later procures enforceable judgment may course award attorney fees given possibility defendant strong incentive enter settlement agreement negotiate attorney fees costs cf marek chesny defendant unwilling make binding settlement offer terms left exposed liability attorney fees whatever amount might fix motion plaintiff internal quotation marks citation omitted also stated request attorney fees result second major litigation hensley eckerhart accordingly avoided interpretation statutes spawn ed second litigation significant dimension garland given clear meaning prevailing party statutes need determine way various policy arguments cut alyeska said congress extended roving authority judiciary allow counsel fees costs otherwise whenever courts might deem warranted disregard clear legislative language holdings prior cases basis policy arguments similar assumption roving authority reasons stated hold catalyst theory permissible basis award attorney fees fhaa ada judgment appeals affirmed buckhannon board care home et petitioners west virginia department health human resources et al writ certiorari appeals fourth circuit may justice scalia justice thomas joins concurring join opinion entirety write respond greater length contentions dissent prevailing party newfangled legal term invented use statutes long established practice universally recognized rule common law actions law prevailing party entitled recover judgment costs mansfield swan costs usually allowed prevailing party incident judgment since statute edw rule acknowledged courts time judicial system organized weighed light several provisions judiciary act conclusion appears clear congress intended allow costs prevailing party incident judgment baltimore wall term found within statutes large since least bankruptcy act provided party prevailing suit shall entitled costs adverse party act mar ch stat see also act mar ch stat government shall put issue right plaintiff recover may discretion allow costs prevailing party time joining issue computer search shows term prevailing party appears least times current code stranger law time enacted know case state federal either statutory invocation prevailing party rule catalyst theory enunciated basis awarding costs indeed dissent cites one case although catalyst theory expressed costs awarded reason catalyst theory support today holding baldwin chesapeake potomac tel md costs awarded granting appellee motion dismiss appeal made unnecessary inquire merits suit dismissal based act appellee performed institution suit entry appeal case irrelevant meaning prevailing party case equity mansfield observed costs awarded actions law prevailing party see equity award costs equities case might require getz johnston md see also horn bohn md question costs equity cases matter resting sound discretion exercise appeal lie internal quotation marks citation omitted state cases dissent cites awarding costs despite absence judgment involve judicial finding equivalent acknowledgement defendant merits plaintiff moreover dissent cites single case even federal applying federal law prior enactment statutes issue regarded prevailing party litigant left courthouse emptyhanded term means dissent contends remarkable absence authority judicial finding liability understood requirement prevailing confirmed many statutes use phrase context presumes existence judicial ruling see employee prevailing party decision based finding prohibited personnel practice providing award attorney fees prevailing party regardless basis decision allowing prevailing party obtain interlocutory award relief provided decision permitting administrative law judge award attorney fee prevailing party losing party argument without reasonable foundation law fact supp allowing district award prevailing party attorney fee addition monetary damages dissent points post prison litigation reform act limits attorney fees amount proportionately related ordered relief violation shows sometimes congress explicitly tightly bind fees judgments post inviting dissent believes conclusion prevailing party fasten fees judgments conclusion follow premise statutory provision demonstrates use phrase prevailing party way impose requirement relief assuredly true rational reject normal meaning prevailing party statutes produce result different language conclude since many synonyms word jump word jump must mean something else undoubtedly true dissent points quoting nonlegal dictionary see post word prevailing meanings contexts prevailing winds winds predominate prevailing party election party wins election prevailing party used courts legislatures context lawsuit term art traditionally knowledge prior enactment first statutes issue invariably meant party wins suit obtains finding admission liability party ultimately gets way adversary dies suit comes judgment party gets way circumstances change victory legal point side turns practical victory party gets way side ceases whatever reason offensive conduct nuisance suit mooted defendant asphalt plant gone bankrupt ceased operations one normally call plaintiff prevailing party make difference far propriety characterization concerned plant go bankrupt moved new location avoid expense litigation one sense plaintiff prevailed prevailing party lawsuit words acquired specialized meaning legal context must accorded legal meaning congress borrows terms art accumulated legal tradition meaning centuries practice presumably knows adopts cluster ideas attached borrowed word body learning taken meaning use convey judicial mind unless otherwise instructed case absence contrary direction may taken satisfaction widely accepted definitions departure morissette cases cited dissent treated black law dictionary preclusively definitive post inapposite pioneer investment services brunswick associates partnership rodgers rejected black definition conflicted precedent see pioneer supra rodgers supra dissent simply reject relevant definition word tailored judicial settings favor general definition another dictionary ii dissent distorts term prevailing party beyond normal meaning policy reasons even seem misguided rest upon presumption catalyst theory applies suit merit led defendant abandon fray switch rather fight accord plaintiff sooner rather later principal redress sought complaint post emphasis added dissent giving term normal meaning today approves practice denying attorney fees plaintiff proven claim discrimination simply merit claim led defendant capitulate judgment case contrary approves result parham southwestern bell tel attorney fees awarded finding defendant acted unlawfully ante dissent stretching term produces something something far less reasonable award attorney fees merits plaintiff case remain unresolved one knows defendant abandon ed fray cost litigation either financial terms public relations great case plaintiff may prevailed webster defines term gain ed victory virtue strength superiority see post doubt greater strength financial resources superiority media manipulation rather superiority legal merit congress intended reward argued perhaps insofar abstract justice concerned little choose dissent outcome former sometimes rewards plaintiff phony claim way knowing latter sometimes denies fees plaintiff solid case whose adversary slinks away eve judgment seems evil former far outweighs evil latter difference world rule denies extraordinary boon attorney fees plaintiffs less deserving others receive rule causes law instrument wrong exacting payment attorney fees extortionist true monetary settlements consent decrees extorted well approved award attorney fees cases resolved mechanisms see ante citing cases decision statute makes plaintiff prevailing party circumstances based entirely language house report see maher gagne issue arise first time today doubt whether agree result see hewitt helms scalia opining espect ordinary language requires plaintiff receive least relief merits claim said prevail emphasis added case settlements consent decrees even judicial determination merits outcome least product bears sanction judicial action lawsuit least basis saying party favored settlement decree prevailed suit extending holding maher case judicial action whatever taken stretches term prevailing party potential injustice maher produces beyond normal meaning term litigation context conceivably support dissent points petitioners object bringing suit obtain judge approbation stop enforcement west virginia rule post see also hewitt supra true enough even dissent claims petitioner accumulated attorney fees preparing threatened complaint never filed prior defendant voluntary cessation offending behavior plaintiff recover fees countertextual since statutes require action proceeding see supp legal parlance though general usage means lawsuit see post concluding party deemed prevailing result postcomplaint payment change conduct leave achievement broad congressional purpose identified dissent unsatisfactorily incomplete failure award fees decree dissent rhetorically asks never mind language statute congress want award fees judgment deny fees defendant capitulates eve judgment also fair us ask congress want award fees suit filed deny fees defendant capitulates threat filing surely determination whether suit actually contemplated threatened difficult proof takes threatening letter batch timesheets surely obstacle deter congress according dissent willing let district judges pursue much evasive called catalyst district courts asks dissent post point take twisting language produce prelitigation attorney fees produce decreeless attorney fees dissent favors though may well true point departure normal usage dissent favors justified ground establishes regime logical even handedness must cutoff seemingly equivalent entitlements fees either failure file suit time failure obtain judgment time term prevailing party suggests latter rather former one prevail suit never determined dissent ultimate worry today opinion impede access less post course catalyst theory also harms less putting pressure avoid risk massive fees abandoning solidly defensible case early litigation since statutes issue allow defendants well plaintiffs receive fee award know congress intend maximize quantity enforcement federal law private attorneys general ibid rather congress desired appropriate level enforcement likely produced limiting fee awards plaintiffs prevail merits least achieve enforceable alteration legal relationship parties permitting inquiry approved iii dissent points catalyst theory accepted clear majority federal circuits post disagreeing clear majority circuits rare phenomenon indeed opinions sometimes contradict unanimous interpretation lower federal courts see mcnally stevens dissenting decision contradicted consider question dissent insistence defer clear majority circuit opinion particularly peculiar present case since majority nurtured preserved misleading dicta unfortunately contributed circuit cases cited dissent post reaffirming catalyst theory decision farrar hobby relied earlier opinion hewitt see marbley bane relying hewitt support catalyst theory payne board baumgartner harrisburg housing explicitly rejecting farrar favor hewitt zinn shalala beard teska morris west palm beach deferring colleagues error bad enough enshrining error improvidently suggested blaming judgment colleagues surely informing courts appeals dicta misled displays seems disrespect becoming humility today concludes party deemed prevailed purposes statutes unless enforceable alteration legal relationship parties normal meaning prevailing party litigation proper basis departing normal meaning congress free course revise provisions guess create sort inequity catalyst theory invites require determine least substantial likelihood party requesting fees prevailed buckhannon board care home et petitioners west virginia department health human resources et al writ certiorari appeals fourth circuit may justice ginsburg justice stevens justice souter justice breyer join dissenting today holds plaintiff whose suit prompts precise relief seeks prevail hence obtain award attorney fees unless also secures entry memorializing victory entry need judgment merits need finding wrongdoing settlement insistence document filed litigated judgment settlement upsets circuit precedent applicable scores federal statutes decision allows defendant escape statutory obligation pay plaintiff counsel fees even though suit merit led defendant abandon fray switch rather fight accord plaintiff sooner rather later principal redress sought complaint concomitantly constricted definition prevailing party consequent rejection catalyst theory impede access less shrink incentive congress created enforcement federal law private attorneys general view catalyst rule applied clear majority federal circuits key component statutes congress adopted advance enforcement civil rights nothing history precedent plain english warrants anemic construction term prevailing party today imposes petitioner buckhannon board care home buckhannon operates residential care homes elderly persons need assisted living nursing services among buckhannon residents october dorsey pierce pierce resided buckhannon four years daughter lived nearby care provided buckhannon met pierce needs west virginia rule prohibiting homes like buckhannon accommodating persons unable exit premises without assistance event fire pierce two buckhannon residents get fire exit without aid informed residents limitations west virginia officials proceeded buckhannon noncompliance rule october three orders issued commanding buckhannon cease operating effect relocation existing population within thirty days app ten days later buckhannon pierce together organization residential homes another buckhannon resident hereinafter plaintiffs commenced litigation federal district overturn orders rule rested sued state state agencies officials hereinafter defendants alleging rule discriminated persons disabilities violation fair housing amendments act fhaa et americans disabilities act ada et seq plaintiffs sought immediate order stopping defendants closing buckhannon facilities injunctive relief permanently barring enforcement requirement damages attorney fees november hearing plaintiffs request temporary restraining order defendants agreed entry interim order allowing buckhannon remain open without changing individual plaintiffs housing care discovery followed january facing state defendants sovereign immunity pleas plaintiffs stipulated dismissal demands damages february response defendants motion dispose remainder case summarily district determined plaintiffs presented triable claims fhaa ada less month district found plaintiffs entitled trial west virginia legislature repealed rule plaintiffs still allege seek prove suit triggered statutory repeal rule demise defendants moved dismiss case moot plaintiffs sought attorney fees prevailing parties fhaa ada finding likelihood west virginia reenact rule district agreed state action rendered case moot turning plaintiffs application attorney fees district followed fourth circuit precedent requiring denial fees unless termination action accompanied judgment consent decree plaintiffs appeal mootness determination fourth circuit affirmed denial attorney fees sum plaintiffs denied fees failed achieve relief sought contrary gained change sought lawsuit west virginia repealed rule stopped buckhannon caring people like dorsey prior every federal appeals except federal circuit addressed issue concluded plaintiffs situations like buckhannon pierce obtain fee award suit acted catalyst change sought even obtain judgment consent courts appeals found clear party may considered prevailed even legal action stops short final judgment due intervening mootness grano barry cadc interpreting term prevailing party practical sense stewart hannon citation omitted federal courts across country held party prevails purposes ends accomplished result litigation associated builders contractors orleans parish school citation internal quotation marks omitted fourth circuit en banc dividing broke ranks sister courts declared light farrar hobby plaintiff become prevailing party without enforceable judgment consent decree settlement state bd ed today acknowledges see ante previously observed language fourth circuit relied dictum farrar involved catalytic effect issue plainly presented decision farrar friends earth laidlaw environmental services toc fourth circuit en banc ruling nine courts appeals reaffirmed consistently held interpretation term prevail predominant view ecuring enforceable decree agreement may evidence prevailing party status judgment agreement simply embodies enforces sought bringing lawsuit victory achieved well short final judgment equivalent marbley bane jacobs array federal decisions applying catalyst rule suggested three conditions necessary party qualification prevailing short favorable final judgment consent decree plaintiff first show defendant provided benefit sought lawsuit wheeler towanda area school circuits precedents plaintiff demonstrate well suit stated genuine claim one least colorable frivolous unreasonable groundless grano internal quotation marks citation omitted plaintiff finally establish suit substantial significant cause defendant action providing relief williams leatherbury circuits make causation showing plaintiff satisfy trial suit achieved results threat victory dint nuisance threat expense marbley see also hooper demco render plaintiff prevailing party suit must prompted defendant act cease behavior based strength case wholly one crossed three thresholds recognized prevailing party district discretion supra award attorney fees developed decades legions decisions catalyst rule implementing standards deserve respect approbation ii today detects clear meaning term prevailing party ante heretofore eluded large majority courts construing words prevailing party today opinion announces means one awarded relief ante derives clear meaning principally black law dictionary defines prevailing party critical part one whose favor judgment rendered ante quoting black law dictionary ed one entirely agree black law dictionary party whose favor judgment rendered prevails time resist courts appeals implication party may prevail prior cases treated black law dictionary preclusively definitive instead accorded statutory terms including legal term art ante opinion ante scalia concurring contextual reading see pioneer investment services brunswick associates partnership defining excusable neglect used federal rule bankruptcy procedure broadly black defines term rodgers adopting natural nontechnical definition word jurisdiction term used declining confine definition narrower technical meanings citing black notably refer black law dictionary maher gagne held consent decree qualify plaintiff prevailing explained fact plaintiff prevailed settlement rather litigation weaken claim fees nothing language conditions district power award fees full litigation issues judicial determination plaintiff rights violated spare prevailing party language provision applicable maher similar wording provisions contrast prescriptions tightly bind fees judgments exclude application catalyst concept prison litigation reform act example directs fee awards prisoners proportionately related ordered relief violation stat amended supp iv emphasis added statute express terms forecloses award prisoner catalyst theory fhaa ada prescriptions modeled unmodified see supra similarly staple fee awards ordered relief terms foreclose catalyst theory altogether true concurring opinion points ante litigation costs attorney fees traditionally allowed prevailing party judgment winner ordinarily fits description true however precedent costs calls judgment requirement ironly adopts today attorney fees indeed first decision cited concurring opinion mansfield swan see ante tugs restrictive rule today decision installs mansfield plaintiffs commenced contract action state plaintiffs objections defendants successfully removed suit federal plaintiffs prevailed merits defendants obtained review see determined motion federal jurisdiction absent start based determination reversed lower judgment plaintiffs worse entering leaving courthouse equally emptyhanded ante concurring opinion plaintiffs mansfield stripped judgment including judicial finding merits favor ante concurring opinion mansfield plaintiffs however achieve small consolation awarded costs well recognizing defendants prevail ed formal nominal sense mansfield nonetheless concluded true proper sense defendants losing prevailing party mansfield casts doubt present majority formal nominal approach decision consider whether costs order plaintiff obtains substantial relief final judgment single case concurring opinion today relies ante however enlightening analogies multiple instances state high courts regarded plaintiffs prevailing costs taxation purposes defendants voluntary conduct mooting suit provided relief plaintiffs concurring opinion labors unconvincingly distinguish state law similar federal practice observed cases governed federal rule civil procedure default rule allowing costs prevailing party unless otherwise directs see wright miller kane federal practice procedure pp ed defendant alters conduct plaintiff claim injunctive relief becomes moot judgment reached costs may allowed rule finds changes result least part plaintiff litigation citing inter alia black hills alliance regional forester supp nd short substantial support old new federal state costs award discretion supra plaintiff whose suit prompts defendant provide relief plaintiff seeks recognizing practice set stone statute rule precedent see infra dictates proper construction modern civil rights prescriptions assume congress intends words enactments carry ordinary contemporary common meaning pioneer defining bribery see also sutton air lines defining substantially light ordinary usage rutledge similarly defining concert everyday use prevail means gain victory virtue strength superiority win mastery triumph webster third new international dictionary undoubtedly situations individual goal obtain approval judge situations one prevail short judge formal declaration piano competition figure skating contest example person prevails person declared winner judges however ultimate goal arbiter approval favorable alteration actual circumstances formal declaration essential western democracies instance prevailed cold war even though soviet union never formally surrendered among television viewers john kennedy prevailed first debate richard nixon presidential contest even though moderator howard smith never declared winner see white making president pp lawsuit ultimate purpose achieve actual relief opponent favorable judgment may instrumental gaining relief generally however judicial decree end means end rainbow lies judgment action cessation action defendant hewitt helms common understanding party reaches destination party prevails regardless route taken hennigan ouachita parish school fair reading fhaa ada provisions point hold party prevails true proper sense mansfield achieves instituting litigation practical relief sought complaint misreads congress see insisting invariably relief must displayed judgment correspondingly defendant voluntary action never suffices case buckhannon purpose suing west virginia officials narrowly obtain judge approbation plaintiffs objective stop enforcement rule requiring buckhannon evict residents like centenarian dorsey pierce price remaining business buckhannon achieved objective account strength case see supra succeeded keeping doors open housing caring pierce others similarly situated buckhannon properly judged party prevailed iii courts appeals long recognized catalyst rule suitably advances congress endeavor place private actions civil rights legislatively defined areas securely within federal law enforcement arsenal catalyst rule stemmed modern legislation extending civil rights protections enforcement measures civil rights act included provisions fee awards prevailing parties title ii public accommodations title vii employment title vi federal programs provisions central purpose promote vigorous enforcement laws private plaintiffs although using term prevailing party congress make fees available plaintiffs defendants equal terms christiansburg garment eeoc title vii prevailing plaintiff qualifies fee award absent special circumstances prevailing defendant may obtain fee award plaintiff suit frivolous unreasonable without foundation act came force courts commenced award fees regularly statutory authorizations sometimes without authorization see alyeska pipeline service wilderness society alyeska reaffirmed american rule generally may award attorney fees without legislative instruction see provide authorization alyeska required fee awards title vi civil rights act well reconstruction era civil rights legislation ed supp iv certain enactments congress passed civil rights attorney fees awards act ed supp iv explained reports supporting civil rights statutes vindicate public policies highest priority quoting newman piggie park enterprises per curiam yet depend heavily private enforcement persons bring meritorious civil rights claims light serve private attorneys general suitors congress recognized often afford legal counsel therefore experience severe hardshi american rule congress enacted ensure nonaffluent plaintiffs effective access nation courts enforce civil rights laws objective accounts provisions case prescriptions fhaa ada modeled see supra catalyst rule held sway today plaintiffs obtained relief sought suit genuine claims ordinarily qualified prevailing parties courts discretion award costs fees persons limited resources impelled wage total law order assure counsel fees paid accept relief money another kind voluntarily proffered defendant sought avoid recorded decree rely judge determine equitable discretion whether counsel fees warranted congress appears envisioned prospect senate report civil rights attorney fees awards act purposes award counsel fees parties may considered prevailed vindicate rights consent judgment without formally obtaining relief emphasis added support report cites cases parties recovered fees absence house report corroborates fter complaint filed defendant might voluntarily cease unlawful practice still award fees even though might conclude matter equity formal relief injunction needed emphases added reports courts appeals observed hardly ambiguous compare ante legislative history best ambiguous dunn florida bar legislative history evinces clear congressional intent permit award even formal judicial relief obtained internal quotation marks omitted robinson kimbrough american constitutional party munro senate report directs fee award catalyst rule congress convinced understood ictory civil rights suit typically practical rather strictly legal matter greenwich regional school dist pontarelli citation omitted iv identifies several policy arguments might warrant rejection catalyst rule see ante defendant might refrain altering conduct fearing liability fees price voluntary action see ante moreover rejection catalyst rule limited impact desisting challenged conduct render case moot damages sought even plaintiff seeks equitable relief defendant voluntary cessation challenged practice render case moot unless absolutely clear allegedly wrongful behavior reasonably expected recur ibid quoting friends earth mootness dismissal easily achieved defendant may impelled settle negotiating fees less generous might award see ante finally catalyst rule require analysis defendant subjective motivations thus protract litigation ante declines look beneath surface arguments placing reliance instead meaning prevailing party jurists scarcely recognize plain see ibid inspected policy arguments listed opinion doubt found impressive opposition argument defendants resist change order stave award fees one urge catalyst rule may lead defendants promptly comply law requirements longer litigation larger fees indeed one knows noncompliance expensive might encouraged conform conduct legal requirements litigation threatened cf hylton fee shifting incentives comply law vand rev fee shifting favor prevailing plaintiffs enhances incentives comply legal rules incentives settle disputes doubt mootness dismissal unlikely recurrence controversy defendant control earlier observed see supra rulings drive plaintiff prepared accept adequate relief though unrecorded litigate catalyst rule leads defendants negotiate settlement terms also allied counsel fees consummation applaud deplore burden norm judge case assigned resolve fee disputes deciding whether award order amount due thereby clearing case calendar factfinding becomes necessary catalyst rule sort district courts factfinding expertise deal regular basis baumgartner harrisburg housing might one conclude overall courts appeals suggested catalyst rule saves judicial resources paris department housing urban development encouraging plaintiffs discontinue litigation receiving defendant acquiescence remedy initially sought morris west palm beach concurring opinion adds another argument catalyst rule opinion sees rule accommodating extortionist obtains relief greater strength financial resources superiority media manipulation rather superiority legal merit ante concern overlooks character rule judicial superintendence congress ordered fee allowances catalyst rule auxiliary statutes whose primary purpose promote vigorous enforcement civil rights laws christiansburg garment end courts deemed catalyst counted substance case merely plaintiff atypically superior financial resources media ties political clout see supra congress assigned responsibility awarding fees automatons unable recognize extoritionists judges expected instructed exercise discretion see supra viewed catalyst rule provided berth nuisance suits see hooper thinly disguised forms extortion tyler corner constr citation omitted attorney fee precedents correctly observes never occasion decide whether term prevailing party allows award fees catalyst theory language cases supporting petitioners respondents ante bears emphasis however determining whether fee shifting order past placed greatest weight judicial imprimatur ante practical impact maher gagne held fees awarded basis consent decree opinion nowhere relied presence formal judgment see supra infra years later hewitt helms suggested fees might awarded plaintiff obtain ed relief without benefit formal judgment explained defendant pressure lawsuit pays money claim judicial judgment pronounced defendant pressure suit declaratory judgment alters conduct threatened conduct towards plaintiff conduct basis suit plaintiff prevailed agree apply analysis case posits merit requirement prior cases ante maher however affirmed award attorney fees based consent decree purport adjudicate plaintiff statutory constitutional claims decree maher explicitly stated nothing therein intended constitute admission fault either party ibid catalyst rule short conflicts none prior holdings ante term prevailing party statutes accepted meaning ante accepted meaning one today announces instead meaning accepted every appeals address catalyst issue decision hewitt see supra disavowed since fourth circuit see supra plaintiff prevails federal judges overwhelmingly agreed litigated judgment consent decree settlement ant voluntary postcomplaint payment change duct fact affords redress plaintiff substantial grievances rejects considered judgment prevailing circuits respect colleagues demands cogent explanation today decision provide one narrow construction words prevailing party unsupported precedent unaided history logic congress prescribed provisions like included fhaa ada encourage private enforcement laws designed advance civil rights fidelity purpose calls fees private party lawsuit whether settlement registered vindicates rights congress sought secure hold therefore dissent judgment opinion footnotes original complaint also sought money damages petitioners relinquished claim january see app pet cert district sanctioned respondents federal rule civil procedure failing timely provide notice legislative amendment app see stanton southern berkshire regional school marbley bane baumgartner harrisburg housing authority payne board zinn shalala little rock school dist pulaski cty school kilgour pasadena beard teska morris west palm beach interpreted provisions consistently see hensley eckerhart approach nearly identical provisions issue never occasion decide whether term prevailing party allows award fees catalyst theory described dicta hewitt helms alluded possibility attorney fees voluntary action defendant affords plaintiff relief sought expressly reserved question see need decide circumstances catalyst theory justify fee award though appeals fourth circuit relied upon decision farrar hobby rejecting catalyst theory farrar involved catalytic effect friends earth laidlaw environmental services toc thus language cases supporting petitioners respondents last term observed open question see ibid however circumstances prevailing party still receive award attorney fees see farrar hobby supra subsequently characterized maher opinion also allowing award attorney fees private settlements see farrar hobby supra hewitt helms supra dicta ignores maher held fees may assessed case settled entry consent decree evans jeff private settlements entail judicial approval oversight involved consent decrees federal jurisdiction enforce private contractual settlement often lacking unless terms agreement incorporated order dismissal see kokkonen guardian life ins america although dissenters seek support mansfield swan case involved costs attorney fees long established practice universally recognized rule common law prevailing party entitled recover judgment costs rule long attorney fees ordinarily recoverable alyeska pipeline service wilderness society quoting fleischmann distilling maier brewing courts generally particular presumptive rule costs discretion may vary see rule reverses vacates judgment respondent appellee shall pay costs unless otherwise orders mansfield defendants successfully removed case federal successfully opposed plaintiffs motion remand case state lost merits case reversed course successfully argued lower federal jurisdiction awarded costs plaintiffs even though lost defendants jurisdictional issue question decided ordinary sense word plaintiffs said prevailing party lost opponents litigated issue use term must regarded figurative rather literal one justifying departure presumptive rule allowing costs prevailing party obvious equities favoring plaintiffs employed discretion recognize plaintiffs victims defendants legally successful whipsawing tactics although appeals parham awarded attorney fees plaintiff lawsuit acted catalyst prompted defendant take action seeking compliance requirements title vii finding defendant acted unlawfully see hold matter law plaintiff evidence established violation title vii thus consistent holding farrar parham stands proposition enforceable judgment permits award attorney fees like consent decree maher gagne appeals parham ordered district retain jurisdiction matter reasonable period time insure continued implementation appellee policy equal employment opportunities clearly parham support theory fee shifting untethered material alteration legal relationship parties defined precedents state officers acting official capacity immune suits damages federal see edelman jordan plaintiffs may bring suit damages others including municipalities political subdivisions state see mt healthy city bd ed doyle footnotes jurisdiction issued baldwin used phrase prevailing party frequently including equity cases mean party acquiring judgment see getz johnston md equity decision noting reversal following usual rule costs generally go prevailing party appellant internal quotation marks citation omitted see also hoffman glock md app md rule provides unless otherwise provided law ordered prevailing party shall entitled allowance costs shall taxed clerk embraced fritts fritts md app viewed evidence must light favorable appellee prevailing party volunteer button goode md app common law arbitration award became cause action favor prevailing party burch scott wl md ct demurrer set argued proceeds affirm reverse decree prevailing party takes deposite decision award costs mansfield swan tu restrictive rule today decision installs post defendants removed case federal losing merits sought us vacate judgment basis removal diversity citizenship absent concluded defendants responsible improper removal first place judgment effect defeat entire proceeding originated prosecuted words plaintiffs prevailed defendants original position jurisdiction defeated ficklen danville appellants deemed substantially prevail ed appeal appellees abandoned contention made lower abandoned intention desire rely upon correctness trial decree talmage monroe cal app costs awarded defendant complied alternative writ mandamus writ mere petition led defendant action scatcherd love wagner wagner cases cited dissent represent rule adopted settling defendant acknowledged liability scatcherd supra see also wagner supra rule hardly uniform among compare citing cases hold settlement equivalent confession judgment citing cases hold settlement plaintiff recover costs osts follow judgment final determination action internal quotation marks citation omitted think state cases scatcherd federal case applying state law justify expanding federal meaning prevailing party based confession judgment fiction include party accepting settlement much less expand beyond settlements domain catalyst theory case cited dissent conclusion acknowledgment liability rested something settlement board ed madison county fowler one considered settlement acknowledgment liability analogized compliance sought mandamus suit settlement slim reed upon rest broad conclusion catalyst theory dissent incorrectly characterizes parham involving undifferentiated finding retention jurisdiction post fact parham involved finding defendant discriminated jurisdiction retained finding given effect form injunctive relief defendant ever backslide voluntary provision relief plaintiffs jurisdiction retained determine whether discrimination read opinion suggesting fee award appropriate circumstances dissent notes two cases cited senate legislative history parham cited legislative history senate house claims support catalyst theory legislative history general risky interpretive tool legislative history one legislative chamber consisting citation appeals cases surely members congress read virtually worthless event kopet esquire realty support catalyst theory defendant voluntary compliance issue fees awarded dubious premise discovery uncovered documents potential use litigation making case award interim fees thomas honeybrook mines also inapposite question whether counsel union members whose fruitless efforts sue union nonetheless spurred union sue employer paid fund established union victory whether union members prevailing parties union suit whether entitled attorney fees prevailing parties earlier suit union even issue even legislative history relied upon dissent supports conclusion merit necessary justify fee award see post citing house report proposition statutes designed give victims civil rights violation access judicial emphasis added ibid citing senate report violate nation fundamental laws proceed impunity fee awards necessary emphasis added reasons given see ante catalyst theory purported merit test ability survive motion dismiss failure state claim absence frivolousness scant protection innocent cases adopting catalyst theory predate hewitt helms see post irrelevant point absent dicta hewitt light everything else said topic see ante unlikely catalyst theory achieved universality acceptance courts appeals upon dissent relies footnotes fhaa provides civil action discretion may allow prevailing party reasonable attorney fee costs similarly ada provides action discretion may allow prevailing party reasonable attorney fee including litigation expenses costs ada fhaa provisions modeled prevailing party statutes notably civil rights attorney fees awards act ed supp iv see pt ada pp fhaa section patterned upon attorney fees provisions contained titles ii vii civil rights act voting rights act amendments hensley eckerhart citing hanrahan hampton per curiam accord congressional intent interpreted provisions consistently across statutes observes see ante notably statutes mandate fees provide award discretion plaintiffs motion district sanctioned defendants federal rule civil procedure failing timely notify plaintiffs proposed repeal rule progressing successfully several stages pendency litigation app rule motion plaintiffs requested fees costs totaling cover expense litigating defendants became aware disclose elimination rule likely alternative plaintiffs sought offset fees expenses incurred litigating rule motion district stating primary purpose rule deter compensate awarded smaller sum app pierce remained buckhannon resident death january nadeau helgemoe koch institutionalized juveniles secretary pub welfare bonnes long robinson kimbrough citizens tax waste westerville city school dist bd stewart hannon williams miller american constitutional party munro anderson erie doe busbee grano barry cadc twelve decisions antedate hewitt helms cf ante scalia concurring maintaining decision hewitt improvidently suggested catalyst rule asserting cases adopting catalyst theory predate hewitt hewitt said settled law lawsuit prompts defendant voluntary action redresses plaintiff grievances plaintiff deemed prevailed despite absence formal judgment favor statement accurately conveyed unanimous view held federal circuits stanton southern berkshire regional school marbley bane baumgartner harrisburg housing payne board zinn shalala little rock school dist pulaski cty school kilgour pasadena beard teska morris west palm beach baltimore wall featured concurring opinion see ante run distance opinion take baltimore judgment one party favor see address question whether costs available absent judgment baltimore incident judgment language concurrence emphasizes ante citing likely related rule without jurisdiction may award costs see mayor cooper wall ancient rule figured years later mansfield swan noted universally recognized rule common law absent jurisdiction render judgment either party therefore render judgment even costs receding rule awarded costs even upon dismissal lack jurisdiction judgment final order cause dismissing want jurisdiction ibid see bancorp mortgage bonner mall partnership see board ed madison county fowler mandamus action dismissed moot costs awarded plaintiffs purposes mandamus petition accomplished subsequent acts defendants thus obviating necessity proceeding baldwin chesapeake potomac tel md costs awarded plaintiff trial granted defendant demurrer plaintiff appeal dismissed based act defendant performed entry appeal dismissal rendered unnecessary inquire merits suit ficklen danville costs appeal awarded plaintiffs even though trial denied injunctive relief high dismissed appeal due mootness plaintiffs achieved equivalent substantially gain ing sought appeal cf scatcherd love although judgment defendant upon merits defendant acknowledged liability paying plaintiff sum rendering plaintiff successful party entitled costs talmage monroe cal app fees awarded petitioner issued alternative writ directing respondent either take specified action show cause respondent chose take action concurrence urges baldwin inapposite action equity equity courts award costs equities required ante catalyst rule becomes relevant however party seeks relief sort traditionally typed equitable change conduct damages thing injunction law therefore one expect find plaintiffs quested mythical remedy received voluntary relief concurrence reasoning paucity precedent applying catalyst rule prevailing parties artifact nothing remarkable ante historic separation concurrence notes cited cases involve judicial finding equivalent acknowledgment defendant merits plaintiff case ante emphasis added agree fowler scatcherd however acknowledgment consisted nothing defendant voluntary provision plaintiff relief plaintiff sought see also jefferson weinman ind costs awarded defendant voluntarily paid damages admission merits judgment wagner wagner hudson johnson courts thus regarded defendant voluntary compliance settlement otherwise acknowledgment merits sufficient warrant treatment plaintiff prevailing cf ante opinion one wonder concurring opinion follow practice today see vast majority victims civil rights violations afford legal counsel unable present cases courts statute designed give persons effective access judicial process private citizens able assert civil rights violate nation fundamental laws proceed impunity citizens must opportunity recover costs vindicate rights quoted part kay ehrler see also newman piggie park enterprises per curiam civil rights act passed evident enforcement prove difficult nation rely part upon private litigation means securing broad compliance law congress enacted provision counsel fees encourage individuals injured racial discrimination seek judicial relief given protection furnished catalyst rule aggrieved individuals left worry wrongdoers led believe strategic maneuvers defendants might succeed averting fee award cf ante opinion apt judge friendly observation construing statute kin provisions us congress clearly mean freedom information act suit gone trial developments made apparent judge rule plaintiff government abort award attorney fees eleventh hour tender information vermont low income advocacy council usery interpreting allowing complainant substantially prevails earn attorney fee accord cuneo rumsfeld cadc see citing kopet esquire realty partner sued firm release documents firm released documents awarded fees release even though partner claims dismissed lack subject matter jurisdiction thomas honeybrook mines union committee twice commenced suit pension fund payments suits prompted recovery awarded fees even though first suit dismissed second yet adjudicated features case cited house well senate reports parham southwestern bell tel deems parham consistent rejection catalyst rule alternately eighth circuit made finding defendant acted unlawfully ordered district retain jurisdiction matter insure continued implementation defendant policy equal employment opportunities ante quoting congress fix factors however nothing either report suggests judicial findings retention jurisdiction essential award fees courts kopet thomas awarded fees based claims neither made finding retain ed jurisdiction nonetheless bears attention line description parham plaintiff qualify prevailing party based finding retention jurisdiction concurring opinion notes correctly must seemingly equivalent entitlements fees either failure file suit time failure obtain judgment time ante former cutoff held impelled plain language requiring legal action proceeding antecedent fee award legislative history replete references enforcement suits courts judicial process north carolina dept transp crest street community council citations omitted latter requiring judgment time similarly impelled text legislative history concurring opinion also prevailing party must obtain relief lawsuit ante one demur elaboration statutory text still adhere catalyst rule rule plaintiff suit raising genuine issues must trigger defendant voluntary action plaintiff prevail rule defendant ceases offensive conduct dying going bankrupt see ante event like dying bankruptcy occurs outside lawsuit change precipitated lawsuit claims demand relief occurrence brought suit qualify fees case held relief must real see rhodes stewart per curiam plaintiff obtains formal declaratory judgment gains real relief whatsoever prevailing party eligible fees hewitt helms interlocutory decision reversing dismissal failure state claim although stating plaintiff rights violated entitle plaintiff fees prevail plaintiff must gain relief substance favorable judicial statement affect relationship plaintiff defendant repeatedly quotes passages hanrahan hampton hanrahan quoted senate report recognizing parties may prevail consent judgment without formally obtaining relief quoting emphasis added hanrahan also selected citation influential elaboration catalyst rule nadeau helgemoe see additionally cites texas state teachers assn garland independent school held unanimously plaintiff become prevailing party without obtaining relief central issue suit texas state teachers linked fee awards material alteration legal relationship parties say today change must ante parties legal relationship change defendant stops engaging conduct furnishes basis plaintiff civil action action parties otherwise litigated dismissed decision language unfavorable catalyst rule farrar hobby figure prominently opinion good reason farrar involved catalytic effect see ante quoting friends earth laidlaw environmental services toc internal quotation marks omitted supra farrar held plaintiff sought damages million received damages prevailing party nonetheless entitled fees reinforcing link right fee award degree success obtained quoting hensley eckerhart farrar holding consistent catalyst rule