Ingram

Cecil Ingram and The Fair Housing Council of the San Fernando Valley (“Appellants”) appeal the district court’s order awarding them attorney fees following settlement of their claims against Armine Oroudjian and Antony Abelyan (“Appellees”) brought under the Fair Housing Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 3601-3619 , and California law.

Ingram, disabled and confined to a wheelchair, lives in an apartment owned by Oroudjian and managed by Abelyan. In May of 2008, Ingram’s bank did not honor his rent check and the landlord initiated an unlawful detainer action against Ingram in state court. While the state action was pending, Appellants filed this federal lawsuit alleging, among other things, discrimination in violation of the Fair Housing Act and violation of the California Fair Employment and Housing Act. Ingram eventually prevailed in the unlawful detainer action and maintained possession of his apartment.

After learning Ingram succeeded in the unlawful detainer action, the district court strongly encouraged the parties to settle this case. Instead, according to the district court, counsel for Appellants took unreasonable settlement positions and prolonged the litigation, forcing…