Pierce v. Underwood

487 U.S. 552 (1986)

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Pierce v. Underwood

United States Supreme Court
487 U.S. 552 (1986)

  • Written by Susie Cowen, JD

Facts

Ms. Underwood and other individuals (plaintiffs) settled their lawsuit against the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (Secretary) (defendant). Upon finding that the Secretary’s position was not “substantially justified” within the meaning of the Equal Access to Justice Act (EAJA), the court awarded the plaintiffs attorney’s fees. The court allowed fees in excess of the EAJA’s $75 hourly cap. The Secretary appealed the award of attorney’s fees. The court of appeals held that the district court’s holding was not an abuse of discretion. The United States Supreme Court granted certiorari.

Rule of Law

Issue

Holding and Reasoning (Scalia, J.)

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