Vance v. Young et al

Filing 75

ORDER granting 62 Motion for Attorney Fees; Pltf, as the prevailing party, is awarded a total of $30,861.55 in attorney fees. Signed by Judge William R. Wilson, Jr on 12/17/08. (mkf)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT EASTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS EASTERN DIVISION EMANUAL VANCE vs. 2:05-CV-00316-WRW DEFENDANTS ORDER PLAINTIFF

BRINKLEY PUBLIC SCHOOLS, et al.

Pending is Plaintiff's Motion for Attorney's Fees (Doc. No. 62). Defendants have responded (Doc. Nos. 71, 74). For the reasons set out below, Plaintiff's Motion is GRANTED in the amount of $30,861.55. Mr. Walker billed for 6.8 hours of services: 4 hours in 2004; 1.3 hours in 2005; and 1.5 hours in 2008. Mr. Walker is not pursuing his present rate for services performed before 2008.1 Accordingly, Plaintiff is awarded $250 an hour for 4 hours of services performed by Mr. Walker in 2004, and $325 an hour for 2.8 hours of services performed by Mr. Walker in 2005 and 2008. Plaintiff first filed a lawsuit in the Western Division of the Eastern District of Arkansas, and voluntarily dismissed that case.2 Plaintiff then filed this case, which is similar to the case Plaintiff voluntarily dismissed.3 Some of the fees billed to Plaintiff in connection with the case he voluntarily dismissed did not appear again in this case -- for example, drafting a complaint.4 Some fees, however, were billed in both cases -- for example, drafting a rule 26(f) report. It seems to me that it wouldn't be fair to direct Defendants to pay for fees Plaintiff incurred twice
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Doc. No. 74. Doc. Nos. 62, 72; No. 4:04-CV-00808-WRW. See No. 4:04-CV-00808-WRW Doc. No. 62. 1

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for similar services when Plaintiff voluntarily dismissed his first suit. Accordingly, I will not award fees for 13.9 of the hours Mr. Childs billed in the voluntarily dismissed case. Defendant Richard Young was dismissed from this case before the case went to trial, and was represented by different counsel. Plaintiff will not be awarded fees in connection with 1.6 hours Mr. Childs billed for services involving Defendant Young only. In sum, no fees will be awarded for 15.5 hours billed by Mr. Childs. CONCLUSION Plaintiff is awarded attorney's fees for 156.4 hours billed by Mr. Childs at the rate of $175 per hour, or $27,370. Plaintiff is further awarded fees billed by Mr. Walker as follows: 4 hours at $250 per hour, plus 2.8 hours at $325 per hour, or $1,910. Plaintiff is awarded attorney's fees totaling $29,280. Plaintiff is also awarded costs in the amount of $1,581.55. Pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1988, Plaintiff, as the prevailing party, is thus awarded a total of $30,861.55. IT IS SO ORDERED this 17th day of December, 2008.

/s/Wm. R. Wilson, Jr. UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

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