Bobby Darnell White v. City of Richmond, Henry L. Royal v. City of Richmond, Anthony Evans v. City of Richmond

The City of Richmond, California, appeals from an order requiring it to pay attorneys’ fees in three civil rights cases, pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1988 . We note jurisdiction and affirm.

BACKGROUND

In 1979 and 1980, twenty-seven black residents of the City of Richmond filed three civil rights actions against the City and other defendants. They alleged that the Richmond Police Department routinely harassed and beat black residents and then groundlessly charged the victims with offenses such as resisting arrest or interfering with the official lawful duties of an officer. All three cases sought individual damages and broad injunctive relief.

At the suggestion of the District Court, the parties entered into formal settlement negotiations which lasted about eleven months. In August, 1981, the parties settled on the terms of the injunctive relief; the court approved the consent decrees in September. Plaintiffs subsequently moved for an award of attorneys’ fees. The court, 559 F.Supp. 127 , granted the motion and applied a multiplier of 1.5, for a total award of $694,185.91.

DISCUSSION

The City first contends that the appellees are not entitled to an award of attorneys’ fees because…