hensley eckerhart argued november decided may respondents behalf persons involuntarily confined forensic unit missouri state hospital brought suit federal district petitioner hospital officials challenging constitutionality treatment conditions hospital district trial found constitutional violations five six general areas treatment subsequently respondents filed request attorney fees civil rights attorney fees awards act provides federal civil rights actions discretion may allow prevailing party reasonable attorney fee part costs determining respondents prevailing parties even though succeeded every claim district refused eliminate attorney fees award hours spent respondents attorneys unsuccessful claims finding significant extent relief clearly justified award reasonable attorney fee appeals affirmed held district properly consider relationship extent success amount attorney fee award extent plaintiff success crucial factor determining proper amount attorney fee award plaintiff failed prevail claim unrelated successful claims hours spent unsuccessful claim excluded considering amount reasonable fee lawsuit consists related claims plaintiff substantial relief attorney fee reduced simply district adopt contention raised plaintiff achieved limited success award amount fees reasonable relation results obtained pp vacated remanded powell delivered opinion burger white rehnquist joined burger filed concurring opinion post brennan filed opinion concurring part dissenting part marshall blackmun stevens joined post michael boicourt assistant attorney general missouri argued cause petitioners brief john ashcroft attorney general stanley eichner argued cause filed brief respondents robert williams douglas mcdowell lorence kessler filed brief equal employment advisory council amicus curiae urging reversal jack greenberg james nabrit iii charles stephen ralston steven winter norman chachkin richard larson filed brief naacp legal defense educational fund et al amici curiae urging affirmance briefs amici curiae filed state pennsylvania et al leroy zimmerman attorney general pennsylvania andrew gordon allen warshaw deputy attorneys general charles graddick attorney general alabama wilson condon attorney general alaska robert corbin attorney general arizona anthony ching solicitor general john steven clark attorney general arkansas george deukmejian attorney general california macfarlane attorney general colorado richard gebelein attorney general delaware jim smith attorney general florida michael bowers attorney general georgia tany hong attorney general hawaii david leroy attorney general idaho tyrone fahner attorney general illinois linley pearson attorney general indiana thomas miller attorney general iowa robert stephan attorney general kansas steven beshear attorney general kentucky james tierney attorney general maine stephen sachs attorney general maryland francis bellotti attorney general massachusetts frank kelley attorney general michigan warren spannaus attorney general minnesota william allain attorney general mississippi paul douglas attorney general nebraska richard bryan attorney general nevada gregory smith attorney general new hampshire irwin kimmelman attorney general new jersey jeff bingaman attorney general new mexico rufus edmisten attorney general north carolina robert wefald attorney general north dakota william brown attorney general ohio jan eric cartwright attorney general oklahoma hector reichard attorney general puerto rico daniel mcleod attorney general south carolina mark meierhenry attorney general south dakota william leech attorney general tennessee mark white attorney general texas david wilkinson attorney general utah john easton attorney general vermont gerald baliles attorney general virginia kenneth eikenberry attorney general washington chauncey browning attorney general west virginia bronson la follette attorney general wisconsin steven freudenthal attorney general wyoming american bar association david brink taracido justice powell delivered opinion title provides federal civil rights actions discretion may allow prevailing party reasonable attorney fee part costs issue case whether partially prevailing plaintiff may recover attorney fee legal services unsuccessful claims respondents brought lawsuit behalf persons involuntarily confined forensic unit fulton state hospital fulton mo forensic unit consists two residential buildings housing patients dangerous others patients housed marion biggs building criminally insane rest patients reside less restrictive rehabilitation unit respondents filed complaint district western district missouri petitioners officials forensic unit members missouri mental health commission count challenged constitutionality treatment conditions forensic unit count ii challenged placement patients biggs building without procedural due process count iii sought compensation patients performed labor count ii resolved consent decree december count iii largely mooted august petitioners began compensation patients labor pursuant fair labor standards act et seq april respondents voluntarily dismissed lawsuit filed new complaint count related constitutionality treatment conditions forensic unit count ii sought damages based thirteenth amendment value past patient labor july respondents voluntarily dismissed backpay count finally august respondents filed amended complaint specifying conditions allegedly violated constitutional right treatment august following trial district held involuntarily committed patient constitutional right minimally adequate treatment supp found constitutional violations five six general areas physical environment individual treatment plans least restrictive environment visitation telephone mail privileges seclusion restraint respect staffing sixth general area district found forensic unit staffing levels increased litigation minimally adequate petitioners appeal district decision merits february respondents filed request attorney fees period january end litigation four attorneys claimed hours worked sought payment rates varying per hour amounted approximately respondents also requested fee enhanced percent total award somewhere petitioners opposed request numerous grounds including inclusion hours spent pursuit unsuccessful claims district first determined respondents prevailing parties even though succeeded every claim refused eliminate award hours spent unsuccessful claims petitioners suggested method calculating fees based strictly mathematical approach comparing total number issues case actually prevailed upon method consideration given relative importance various issues interrelation issues difficulty identifying issues extent party may prevail various issues wd record appeals eighth circuit affirmed basis district memorandum opinion order granted certiorari vacate remand proceedings ii alyeska pipeline service wilderness society reaffirmed american rule party lawsuit ordinarily shall bear attorney fees unless express statutory authorization contrary response congress enacted civil rights attorney fees awards act authorizing district courts award reasonable attorney fee prevailing parties civil rights litigation purpose ensure effective access judicial process persons civil rights grievances accordingly prevailing plaintiff ordinarily recover attorney fee unless special circumstances render award unjust quoting newman piggie park enterprises amount fee course must determined facts case issue house report simply refers factors set forth johnson georgia highway express senate report cites johnson well also refers three district decisions correctly applied factors one factors johnson amount involved results obtained indicates level plaintiff success relevant amount fees awarded importance relationship confirmed varying degrees cases cited approvingly senate report stanford daily zurcher nd cal aff rev grounds plaintiffs obtained declaratory judgment moved preliminary injunction defendants promised violate judgment motion denied district awarded attorney fees time spent pursuing motion plaintiff substantially advanced clients interests obtaining significant concession defendants result motion davis county los angeles cd cal plaintiffs important judgment requiring los angeles county fire department undertake program hiring minorities awarding attorney fees district stated also legally relevant plaintiff counsel expended certain limited amount time pursuing certain issues fact law ultimately become litigated issues case upon plaintiffs ultimately prevail since plaintiffs prevailed merits achieved excellent results represented class plaintiffs counsel entitled award fees time reasonably expended pursuit ultimate result achieved manner attorney traditionally compensated client time reasonably expended matter three cases plaintiffs obtained essentially complete relief legislative history therefore provide definitive answer proper standard setting fee award plaintiff achieved limited success consistent legislative history courts appeals generally recognized relevance results obtained amount fee award adopted varying standards however applying principle cases plaintiff succeed claims asserted case petitioners contend award attorney fees must proportioned consistent extent plaintiff prevailed time reasonably expended support successful claims compensated brief petitioners respondents agree plaintiff success relevant propose less stringent standard focusing whether time spent prosecuting unsuccessful claim way contributed ultimate results achieved brief respondents parties acknowledge discretion district area take opportunity clarify proper relationship results obtained award attorney fees iii plaintiff must prevailing party recover attorney fee standard making threshold determination framed various ways typical formulation plaintiffs may considered prevailing parties attorney fees purposes succeed significant issue litigation achieves benefit parties sought bringing suit nadeau helgemoe generous formulation brings plaintiff across statutory threshold remains district determine fee reasonable useful starting point determining amount reasonable fee number hours reasonably expended litigation multiplied reasonable hourly rate calculation provides objective basis make initial estimate value lawyer services party seeking award fees submit evidence supporting hours worked rates claimed documentation hours inadequate district may reduce award accordingly district also exclude initial fee calculation hours reasonably expended cases may overstaffed skill experience lawyers vary widely counsel prevailing party make effort exclude fee request hours excessive redundant otherwise unnecessary lawyer private practice ethically obligated exclude hours fee submission private sector billing judgment important component fee setting less important hours properly billed one client also properly billed one adversary pursuant statutory authority copeland marshall app en banc emphasis original product reasonable hours times reasonable rate end inquiry remain considerations may lead district adjust fee upward downward including important factor results obtained factor particularly crucial plaintiff deemed prevailing even though succeeded claims relief situation two questions must addressed first plaintiff fail prevail claims unrelated claims succeeded second plaintiff achieve level success makes hours reasonably expended satisfactory basis making fee award cases plaintiff may present one lawsuit distinctly different claims relief based different facts legal theories suit even claims brought defendants often institution officers case counsel work one claim unrelated work another claim accordingly work unsuccessful claim deemed expended pursuit ultimate result achieved davis county los angeles congressional intent limit awards prevailing parties requires unrelated claims treated raised separate lawsuits therefore fee may awarded services unsuccessful claim may well cases involving unrelated claims unlikely arise great frequency many civil rights cases present single claim cases plaintiff claims relief involve common core facts based related legal theories much counsel time devoted generally litigation whole making difficult divide hours expended basis lawsuit viewed series discrete claims instead district focus significance overall relief obtained plaintiff relation hours reasonably expended litigation plaintiff obtained excellent results attorney recover fully compensatory fee normally encompass hours reasonably expended litigation indeed cases exceptional success enhanced award may justified circumstances fee award reduced simply plaintiff failed prevail every contention raised lawsuit see davis county los angeles supra litigants good faith may raise alternative legal grounds desired outcome rejection failure reach certain grounds sufficient reason reducing fee result matters hand plaintiff achieved partial limited success product hours reasonably expended litigation whole times reasonable hourly rate may excessive amount true even plaintiff claims interrelated nonfrivolous raised good faith congress authorized award fees whenever reasonable plaintiff bring lawsuit whenever conscientious counsel tried case devotion skill critical factor degree success obtained application principle particularly important complex civil rights litigation involving numerous challenges institutional practices conditions type litigation lengthy demands many hours lawyers services although plaintiff often may succeed identifying unlawful practices conditions range possible success vast plaintiff prevailing party therefore may say little whether expenditure counsel time reasonable relation success achieved case example district award fees based hours worked may reasonable light substantial relief obtained respondents prevailed one six general claims example claim petitioners visitation mail telephone policies overly restrictive see supra fee award based claimed hours clearly excessive precise rule formula making determinations district may attempt identify specific hours eliminated may simply reduce award account limited success necessarily discretion making equitable judgment discretion however must exercised light considerations identified request attorney fees result second major litigation ideally course litigants settle amount fee settlement possible fee applicant bears burden establishing entitlement award documenting appropriate hours expended hourly rates applicant exercise billing judgment respect hours worked see supra maintain billing time records manner enable reviewing identify distinct claims reemphasize district discretion determining amount fee award appropriate view district superior understanding litigation desirability avoiding frequent appellate review essentially factual matters remains important however district provide concise clear explanation reasons fee award adjustment requested basis either exceptional limited nature relief obtained plaintiff district make clear considered relationship amount fee awarded results obtained iv case district began finding relief respondents obtained trial substantial certainly entitles considered prevailing without need examining issues disposed prior trial order determine went respondents favor record declined divide hours worked winning losing claims stating fails consider relative importance various issues interrelation issues difficulty identifying issues extent party may prevail various issues finally assessed amount obtained declared respondents considered prevailing parties parties obtained relief significant import respondents relief affects also numerous institutionalized patients similarly situated extent relief clearly justifies award reasonable attorney fee findings represent commendable effort explain fee award given interrelated nature facts legal theories case district err refusing apportion fee award mechanically basis respondents success failure particular issues given findings respect level respondents success district award may consistent holding today unable affirm decisions however district opinion properly consider relationship extent success amount fee award finding significant extent relief clearly justifies award reasonable attorney fee answer question reasonable light level success emphasize inquiry end finding plaintiff obtained significant relief reduced fee award appropriate relief however significant limited comparison scope litigation whole hold extent plaintiff success crucial factor determining proper amount award attorney fees plaintiff failed prevail claim distinct respects successful claims hours spent unsuccessful claim excluded considering amount reasonable fee lawsuit consists related claims plaintiff substantial relief attorney fee reduced simply district adopt contention raised plaintiff achieved limited success district award amount fees reasonable relation results obtained remand district determine proper amount attorney fee award light standards judgment appeals vacated case remanded proceedings consistent opinion ordered footnotes prevailing defendant may recover attorney fee suit vexatious frivolous brought harass embarrass defendant see christiansburg garment eeoc district may discretion award attorney fees prevailing defendant title vii case upon finding plaintiff action frivolous unreasonable without foundation even though brought subjective bad faith factors time labor required novelty difficulty questions skill requisite perform legal service properly preclusion employment attorney due acceptance case customary fee whether fee fixed contingent time limitations imposed client circumstances amount involved results obtained experience reputation ability attorneys undesirability case nature length professional relationship client awards similar cases factors derive directly american bar association code professional responsibility disciplinary rule intended amount fees awarded governed standards prevail types equally complex federal litigation antitrust cases reduced rights involved may nonpecuniary nature appropriate standards see johnson georgia highway express cir correctly applied cases stanford daily zurcher nd cal davis county los angeles cd cal swann board education wdnc cases resulted fees adequate attract competent counsel produce windfalls attorneys computing fee counsel prevailing parties paid traditional attorneys compensated client time reasonably expended matter davis supra stanford daily supra courts appeals stated flatly plaintiffs recover fees work unsuccessful claims see bartholomew watson muscare quinn hughes repko others suggested prevailing plaintiffs generally receive fee based hours spent nonfrivolous claims see sherkow wisconsin northcross board educ memphis city schools cert denied brown bathke still courts appeals held recovery fee hours spent unsuccessful claims depends upon relationship hours expended success achieved see copeland marshall app en banc jones diamond en banc cert dism gurule wilson opinion rehearing lamphere brown parties disagree results obtained case petitioners believe respondents prevailed extremely limited degree brief petitioners respondents contend prevailed practically every claim advanced brief respondents discussed part iv infra leave dispute district remand noted hanrahan hampton per curiam provision counsel fees patterned upon attorney fees provisions contained titles ii vii civil rights act voting rights act amendments legislative history indicates congress intended standards awarding fees generally fee provisions civil rights act standards set forth opinion generally applicable cases congress authorized award fees prevailing party see also busche burkee cert denied sethy alameda county water per curiam cf taylor sterrett proper focus whether plaintiff successful central issue exhibited fact acquired primary relief sought district also may consider factors identified johnson georgia highway express though note many factors usually subsumed within initial calculation hours reasonably expended reasonable hourly rate see copeland marshall app en banc unsuccessful claim frivolous defendant may recover attorney fees incurred responding see supra agree district rejection mathematical approach comparing total number issues case actually prevailed upon record ratio provides little aid determining reasonable fee light relevant factors necessarily significant prevailing plaintiff receive relief requested example plaintiff failed recover damages obtained injunctive relief vice versa may recover fee award based hours reasonably expended relief obtained justified expenditure attorney time recognize certain method determining claims related unrelated plaintiff counsel course required record great detail minute time expended least counsel identify general subject matter time expenditures see nadeau helgemoe future view sympathy claim district abused discretion awarding unreasonably low attorney fees suit plaintiffs partially successful counsel records provide proper basis determining much time spent particular claims addition district properly considered reasonableness hours expended reduced hours one attorney percent account inexperience failure keep contemporaneous time records district expressly relied brown bathke case believe understates significance results obtained case fired schoolteacher sought reinstatement lost wages damages expungement derogatory material employment record obtained lost wages requested expungement reinstatement damages district awarded attorney fees hours estimated plaintiff attorney spent particular legal issue relief granted eighth circuit reversed stated results obtained may considered factor given weight reduces fee awarded prevailing party reasonable attorney fee authorized act determined unsuccessful issues raised plaintiff frivolous remanded case district holding today differs least emphasis eighth circuit brown hold extent plaintiff success crucial factor district courts consider carefully determining amount fees awarded brown plaintiff lost major issue reinstatement district found obtained minor part relief sought remanding eighth circuit implied district withhold fees work unsuccessful claims unless claims frivolous today hold otherwise certainly well within brown district discretion make limited fee award light minor relief obtained dissent errs suggesting district opinion acceptable merely single word changed see post note example district determine whether petitioners unilateral increase staff levels result litigation petitioners asserted attorney time case spent question staffing levels forensic unit memorandum opposition plaintiffs request award attorney fees expenses costs true respondents lawsuit catalyst staffing increases respondents failure prevail challenge staffing levels material determining whether award based hours expended justifiable light respondents actual success district failure consider issue obviated mere conclusory statement fee reasonable light success obtained chief justice burger concurring read opinion requiring lawyer seeks adversary pay fees prevailing party lawyer must provide detailed records time services fees sought inconceivable prevailing party required establish least much support claim lawyer required show client challenged fees district judge may view authorize payment attorney fees unless attorney involved established clear convincing evidence time effort claimed shown time expended necessary achieve results obtained claim legal services presented prevailing party losing party pursuant presents quite different situation bill lawyer presents client latter case attorney client presumably built relationship mutual trust respect client confidence lawyer exercised appropriate billing judgment ante unless challenged client billing need kind extensive documentation necessary payment statute requires losing party civil rights action bear cost adversary attorney course relationship trust confidence adverse parties result party seeks payment must keep records sufficient detail neutral judge make fair evaluation time expended nature need service reasonable fees allowed justice brennan justice marshall justice blackmun justice stevens join concurring part dissenting part today holds extent plaintiff success crucial factor determining proper amount award attorney fees ante agree carefully worded statement fully consistent purpose well interpretation statute reached courts appeals also agree plaintiffs may receive attorney fees cases succeed significant issue litigation achieves benefit parties sought bringing suit ante quoting nadeau helgemoe plaintiffs may receive fees hours reasonably spent litigating case even prevail every claim legal theory see ante regretfully however join opinion restating general principles law attorney fees omits number elements crucial calculation attorney fees take account additional elements evaluating claim attorney fees entirely fail perform task congress entrusted task congress think rightly deemed crucial vindication individuals rights society access justice often requires services lawyer furthermore whether one considers relevant factors merely relationship fees results obtained district case awarded fee well within zone discretion explained amount fee meticulously admits much see ante vacating fee award remanding explanation serve invitation losing defendants engage must one least socially productive types litigation imaginable appeals awards attorney fees merits case concluded appeals likely affect amount final fee appeals greatly increase costs plaintiffs vindicating rights frustrate purposes district awarded fee comes within range possible fees facts history results case permit appellate duty affirm award promptly alyeska pipeline wilderness society held beyond competence judges pick choose among plaintiffs statutes sue award fees cases others congress however full authority make decisions responded challenge alyeska picking choosing legislative solution legitimates federal common law attorney fees developed years alyeska specifying fees available section manifests finely balanced congressional purpose provide plaintiffs asserting asserting specified federal rights fees adequate attract competent counsel produce windfalls attorneys hereinafter senate report cf hereinafter house report today emphasizes aspects judicial discretion necessary prevent windfalls lower courts must forget need ensure civil rights plaintiffs bona fide claims able find lawyers represent enacting congress rejected traditional assumption private choices whether litigate compromise forgo potential claim yield socially desirable level enforcement far enumerated civil rights statutes concerned civil rights laws depend heavily upon private enforcement fee awards proved essential remedy private citizens meaningful opportunity vindicate important congressional policies laws contain many cases arising civil rights laws citizen must sue enforce law little money hire lawyer private citizens able assert civil rights violate nation fundamental laws proceed impunity citizens must recover costs vindicate rights senate report yet congress also took steps ensure become relief fund lawyers cong rec remarks kennedy first limited fee awards prevailing plaintiffs rather allowing fees anyone litigated bona fide claim good faith see house report expressly reaffirmed doctrine attorney fees awarded plaintiffs litigated frivolous vexations claims see christiansburg garment eeoc also left district courts discretion set precise award individual cases deny fees entirely special circumstances award unjust even plaintiff prevailed see senate report house report newman piggie park enterprises per curiam key feature bill mandate fees allowed discretion congress passed many statutes requiring fees awarded prevailing party committee adopted moderate approach leaving matter discretion judge guided course case law interpreting similar attorney fee provisions house report omitted nearly possible market standards prevail best way ensuring competent counsel available persons bona fide civil rights claims means judges awarding fees must make certain attorneys paid full value efforts receive open market cases see generally copeland marshall app en banc awarding fees awarding fees time reasonably expended attorneys representing civil rights plaintiffs expect receive full compensation efforts successful feel lard winning cases additional work solely augment fees balance struck goes awry accepts principles today litigation clients certain amount billing judgment appropriate taking account fact congress intend fees civil rights cases unlike litigation depend obtaining relief substantial monetary value plaintiffs prevail claims lose others correct holding extent success important factor calculating fee awards system awarding attorney fees take account relationship results fees fail accomplish congress goal checking insubstantial litigation time however courts recognize reasonable counsel civil rights case much litigation must often advance number related legal claims order give plaintiffs best possible chance obtaining significant relief admits uch lawsuit viewed series discrete claims ante even two claims apparently share common core facts related legal concepts see actual work performed lawyers develop facts claims may closely intertwined instance taking deposition state official plaintiffs counsel may find necessary cover range territory includes successful unsuccessful claims sometimes virtually impossible determine much time devoted one category incremental time required pursue claims rather one likely small furthermore many occasions awarding counsel fees reflect full market value time require paying customary hourly rates attorneys paid hourly rate expect paid promptly without regard success failure customary rates reflect expectations attorneys take cases contingency thus deferring payment fees case ended taking upon risk receive payment generally receive far winning cases charged hourly rate difference however reflects money risk nonrecovery usually borne clients cases lawyers paid hourly rate courts applying must also take account money fact attorneys never certain win even best case therefore district courts end fee inquiries multiplied customary hourly rate times reasonable number hours expended checked product results obtained also consider delays payment prelitigation likelihood claims fact prevail prevail copeland marshall supra northcross board education memphis city schools lindy builders american radiator standard sanitary factors potentially relevant every case even results obtained justify awarding fees hours spent particular case fee reasonable unless adequate induce attorneys represent similarly situated clients seeking relief comparable obtained case hand ii setting one side theoretical issues district courts approach attorney fees questions fear makes serious error vacating judgment case remanding proceedings simply reason another round litigation parties lower courts need guidance us admits district made commendable effort explain fee award award may consistent today opinion ante professes unable affirm solely district finding extent relief clearly justifies award reasonable attorney fee app pet cert accompanied finding reasonable light level success ante even district silent reasonableness amount fee award difficult imagine presume apparently federal judge awarded unreasonable fee without explaining result compelled event district stated expressly concludes case entire award made plaintiffs constitutes reasonable attorney fee portion characterized penalty damage award state missouri app pet cert significance case measured terms dollars cents involves constitutional civil rights plaintiff class resulted number changes regarding conditions treatment state hospital plaintiffs considered prevailing parties parties obtained relief significant import plaintiffs relief affects also numerous institutionalized patients similarly situated extent relief clearly justifies award reasonable attorney fee significant legal error requires today judgment notes district relied brown bathke opinion emphasis regards misplaced see ante finds suspicious brown implication district must award attorney fees work reasonably calculated advance client interest nonfrivolous claims whenever client satisfies prevailing party test see district however refer language criticized rather cited brown proposition mechanical division claimed hours ignores interrelated nature many prevailing claims app pet cert citing remainder brown makes clear concerned related legal theories one ultimately becomes basis relief extent brown perfectly consistent today opinion see ante appeals eighth circuit brief unpublished memorandum affirming district cite brown app pet cert perhaps questionable language brown misapplied cases eighth circuit courts circuit misinterpreting light precedents similar implications today result instructive value case appeals eighth circuit never applied brown manner fears rather published opinions following brown made clear although abuse discretion deny fees entirely plaintiff crossed prevailing party threshold district courts consider degree plaintiffs success setting fee award see williams trans world airlines handicapped federation andre rejecting claim fees setting limit award limited success case oldham ehrlich cleverly western electric law circuits substantially identical federal courts appeals adopted analysis whereby plaintiffs obtain significant relief considered prevailing parties district courts directed take consideration overall degree plaintiff success extent work claims relief obtained contributed success setting exact amount award due mere fact plaintiffs prevail every claim preclude award fees work reasonably performed rarely abuse discretion refuse award fees work done nonprevailing claims closely related relief obtained see syvock milwaukee boiler mfg jones diamond en banc lamphere brown university eeoc safeway stores cf copeland marshall app many courts however also stressed congress clearly expressed intent apparent monetary value relief obtained measure success civil rights case recognized many cases various claims essentially part parcel single attempt establish vindicate plaintiffs rights see copeland marshall supra gurule wilson modified en banc nadeau helgemoe evaluation interrelatedness several claims within single lawsuit legal work done claims appropriately task district heard decided case subject appellate review abuse discretion implicitly recognizes case us manifests clear abuse discretion although plaintiffs obtained part specific injunctive relief requested district opinion merits confirmed existence constitutional right minimally adequate treatment claimed app established strict standards staffing treatment plans environment future conduct defendants state mental health authorities measured large extent district opinion fixed plaintiffs entitlement improvements instituted defendants course litigation see treatment plans staff compare deposition bratkowski reprinted brief opposition app increase staff litigation thus entirely understandable district considered respondents prevailed extent justifying fees hours reasonably spent subject one substantial reduction hours wasteful litigation practices see ante remain faithful legislative objectives appellate courts including hesitate prolong litigation attorney fees merits case concluded congress enacted solely make certain attorneys representing plaintiffs whose rights violated expect paid spawn litigation however interesting claims related constitutes optimal documentation fees request scrutiny explanations specific exercises district broad discretion serves productive purpose vindicates one civil rights exacerbates myriad problems crowded appellate dockets district articulated fair explanation fee award given case appeals reverse remand judgment unless award low provide clearly inadequate compensation attorneys case high constitute unmistakable windfall see gurule wilson supra furtado bishop award falls rough poles substantially accomplishes congress objectives exacting review clear mandate statute legislative history frustrates rather advances policies systemic terms attorney fee appeals take lawyers judges time profitably devoted cases including substantive civil rights claims meant facilitate regular appellate scrutiny issues like case also generates steady stream opinions requiring yet another harmonize one one ultimately straightforward command replaced vast body artificial doctrine arcane procedures like frankenstein monster meanders way legal landscape leaving waste confusion mention circuit splits wake within confines individual cases prevailing plaintiffs point view appellate litigation attorney fee issues increases delay uncertainty expense bringing civil rights case even plaintiffs relief deserve defendants generally deeper pockets plaintiffs lawyers whose lawyers may well salaried thus lower opportunity costs plaintiffs counsel much gain simply dragging litigation longer litigation proceeds prospect improved results pressure plaintiffs attorneys may feel compromise claims simply give case provides perfect example petitioners little prospect substantially reducing amount fees ultimately pay managed delay paying respondents owe two years litigation ended delay come respondents attorneys hardly certain ever compensated efforts defending judgment five justices find deficient minor respects apart result case prospect protracted appellate litigation regarding attorney fee awards prevailing parties likely discourage litigation victims civil rights violations missouri elsewhere obstacles placed path parties significant relief seek reasonable attorney fees less likely lawyers undertake risk representing civil rights plaintiffs seeking equivalent relief cases may well become difficult civil rights plaintiffs prospects success obtain attorneys anomalous result judicial construction statute enacted attract competent counsel cases involving civil constitutional rights house report cf copeland marshall app fee awards intended provide incentive competent lawyers undertake title vii work differences basic framework attorney fees law divide today apart matters nuance tone largely tangential case hand object two aspects today judgment first see reason us devoted scarce time hearing case fear sudden appearance new precedent area unjustifiably provoke new litigation prolong old litigation attorney fees fundamentally principles share led us granted writ certiorari affirm judgment extent dissent see cases cited marshall dissenting see also bill creates startling new remedy meets technical requirements laid federal courts continue practice awarding attorney fees going years prior decision selectivity statutory attorney fee remedies created analogues bear little resemblance either attorney fee rule american rule parties bear attorney fees matter outcome case english rule losing party whether plaintiff defendant pays winner fees far like new causes action tied specific rights like background procedural rules governing litigation fundamental distinction often ignored see ante alyeska pipeline wilderness society certain rights selected congress facilitates litigation plaintiffs encourages reject compromises see new york gaslight club carey newman piggie park enterprises per curiam time gives defendants strong incentives avoid arguable civil rights violations first place make concessions hope early settlement see copeland marshall app en banc dennis chang civil rights plaintiffs meritorious claims appear cloaked mantle public interest citing steel congress granted statutory right attorney fees addition rights fees rules general applicability newman piggie park enterprises supra see christiansburg garment eeoc traditional rules reflect assumption plaintiff defendant approach litigation less equal basis leave parties private essentially symmetrical calculations whether litigation including attorney fees entails represents better investment compromise settlement simply acceding opposing party demands course parties approach calculations different risk preferences financial positions principal difference two rules english rule enhancing cost losing litigation gives party superior ability undertake risk tactical advantage american rule theory least neither rule systematically favors plaintiffs defendants vice versa portion issue case action proceeding enforce provision sections title title ix public law title vi civil rights act discretion may allow prevailing party reasonable attorney fee part costs civil rights attorney fees awards act stat section drafted based congress experience provisions statutes dating back civil rights statutes see senate report alyeska pipeline wilderness society supra claims public interest lies primarily providing neutral easily available forum resolving dispute plaintiff choice compromise claim forgo altogether based private calculation stands gain justify cost pursuing claim little public concern enacting congress determined public whole interest vindication rights conferred statutes enumerated value civil rights remedy particular plaintiff simply put congress decided better vigorous enforcement civil rights laws result plaintiffs left finance cases congress reasons well believe civil rights plaintiffs often unable pay desirable level law enforcement civil rights remedies often benefit large number persons many involved litigation making difficult evaluate particular lawsuit really worth stand gain spread costs obtaining relief among cf hall cole mills electric finding nonstatutory awards traditional common fund exception american rule appropriate reason problem compounded facts monetary damages often important part recovery sought statutes enumerated cf newman piggie park enterprises supra doctrines official immunity often limit availability damages governmental defendants see house report case reflects fact congress provided public funding limited extent number programs legal services corporation respondents attorneys associated legal services eastern missouri inc may however use money receive federal government cases fees available see purposes attorneys paid private practice order avoid windfalls defendants free public resources types law enforcement see new york gaslight club carey copeland marshall app rodriguez taylor congress imposition liability attorney fees also represents decision abrogate sovereign immunity order accomplish purposes fourteenth amendment see senate report fitzpatrick bitzer maher gagne thus opinion read imply exceptional success provides basis awarding fee higher reasonable rate times reasonable number hours see ante contrary expressly approves consideration full range johnson georgia highway express factors see infra rate used calculating fee already include factor risk money enhanced percentage figure token attorneys need obtain excellent results merit fully compensatory fee see ante merely prevailing significant extent entitles full compensation work reasonably required obtain relief see infra senate house reports make clear congress conclusion success every claim necessary see ante addition discussion awards final judgment senate report appropriate circumstances counsel fees may awarded pendente lite see bradley school board city richmond awards especially appropriate party prevailed important matter course litigation even ultimately prevail issues senate report emphasis added see also mills electric allowing fees pendente lite suit yet produced may never produce monetary recovery issue still tried house report notes courts also awarded counsel fees plaintiff successfully concludes class action suit even though individual granted relief house report citing parham southwestern bell telephone reed arlington hotel note reed appeals awarded reasonable attorney fees including services appeal although appellant obtained significant relief major issue either trial appeal see cf note promoting vindication civil rights attorney fees awards act colum rev congress delegated responsibility setting reasonable attorney fee tried case reviewing courts matter good judicial policy disturb trial solution problem balancing many factors involved unless end product falls outside rough zone reasonableness unless explanation articulated patently inadequate cf permian basin area rate cases