Lambert

Defendants appeal a verdict in favor of plaintiffs on plaintiffs’ claims that they were discharged by defendants in retaliation for complaining about overtime compensation, in violation of the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), 29 U.S.C. § 215 (a)(3), and in violation of the public policy of the state of Washington. Plaintiffs, six former ticket sales account executives for the Seattle Su-perSonics professional basketball team, were awarded compensatory and punitive damages as a result of the jury’s finding that defendants, the Seattle SuperSonics, Inc., Full House Sports & Entertainment Inc., and Barry and William Ackerly, unlawfully discharged plaintiffs in retaliation for their overtime complaints.

The district court denied defendants’ motion for judgment as a matter of law, but remitted plaintiffs’ punitive damages award. The district court also awarded plaintiffs attorneys’ fees. The defendants now appeal *1020 both the denial of their motion for judgment as a matter of law and the attorneys’ fee award. Plaintiffs cross-appeal with respect to the issue of attorneys’ fees.

FACTS

Plaintiffs Esther Ackley, Steve Belling, Pat Cooke, Laura Lambert, Letitia Selk, and Chuck…