Benton

I. Introduction

The parties have filed cross-appeals of the district court’s order awarding $371,362 in attorney’s fees and $70,828.84 in costs in a case where the sole relief obtained was a judgment in the amount of one dollar. We have jurisdiction pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1291 , and we reverse.

II. Background

Melinda Benton (“plaintiff’) is a professor at a community college in Oregon. She holds a degree from Bob Jones University, an unaccredited institution that emphasizes conservative values. At the time she brought this action, Oregon law provided in relevant part:

Or.Rev.Stat. § 348.609.

Plaintiff brought this action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983 . Plaintiff brought this § 1983 action as a class action seeking declaratory and injunctive relief. Plaintiff alleged seven claims for violation of the federal and state constitutional rights to free speech, free exercise of religion, due process and equal protection. These claims were predicated upon allegations that the Oregon Office of Degree Authorization had decreed that plaintiff should be fired from her position at the college because her degree was “illegal” or face criminal sanctions and then later decreed that plaintiff…