Rivera

MEMORANDUM DECISION AND RE PLAINTIFFS’ MOTION FOR REVIEW OF CLERK’S TAXATION OF COSTS (DOC. 741)

I. INTRODUCTION

This Title VII and FEHA employment discrimination case was tried before a jury starting in October 2008. On November 26, 2008, the Jury returned verdicts in favor of Defendant on all causes of action submitted to them. Doc. 696. On October 7, 2009, the Clerk of Court taxed costs in the amount of $84,434.40. Doc. 739. Plaintiffs, who timely objected to the bill of costs, Doc. 706, now move for review of the Clerk’s taxation of costs. Doc. 741.

Plaintiffs first argue that, under Association of Mexican-American Educators v. State of California, 231 F.3d 572, 592 (9th Cir.2000) (“AMAE”), the district court should exercise its discretion to refuse to award costs here, because the case involved issues of substantial importance, the losing parties have limited financial resources, there is great economic disparity between Plaintiffs and Defendant, the issues in the case are close and difficult, and the imposition of high costs may cause a “chilling effect” on future civil rights litigants. In addition, Plaintiffs maintain that the “majority” of the specific costs taxed are…