Jones

Common Cause v. Jones

Good Law

235 F. Supp. 2d 1076·2002 WL 31681952·2002 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 25825

United States District Court, Central District of CaliforniaNovember 7, 2002CV-01-3470 SVWCalifornia2,065 words

Opinion

Wilson, J.

ORDER GRANTING PLAINTIFFS’ MOTION FOR ATTORNEYS’ FEES AND EXPENSES

I. INTRODUCTION

On February 19, 2002, this Court issued an Order finding that it was feasible for the nine California counties currently using the pre-scored punch card voting systems to convert to “other certified voting equipment” by March 2004. That Order resolved the only triable issue remaining in the case. On April 26, 2002, the Court denied Defendant’s Motion for Reconsideration of that Order. On May 9, 2002, the Court approved the consent decree lodged by the parties according to the terms of its February 19 Order, and entered final judgment in this matter.

Now before the Court is Plaintiffs’ Motion for Attorneys’ Fees and Expenses, brought pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1988 and Fed.R.Civ.P. Rule 54. For the reasons set forth below, Plaintiffs’ Motion is GRANTED.

II. DISCUSSION

Section 1988 authorizes the district court “in its discretion” to “allow the prevailing party, other than the United States, a reasonable attorney’s fee as part of the costs.” 42 U.S.C. § 1988 . A reasonable fee initially is determined by calculating the “lodestar” figure: the number of hours reasonably expended multiplied by a…

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