Court Awarded Plaintiffs Fees in Michigan Rights Case
A federal court ordered defendants to pay over $400,000 in attorneys' fees following a successful civil rights verdict.
Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Awards
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Following a successful trial, a court has ordered defendants to pay the plaintiffs $406,935 in attorneys' fees and $10,814 in costs. The decision comes after the plaintiffs secured a victory on claims brought under 42 U.S.C. §1981, Title VII, and the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act.
Why it matters
The award recognizes the excellent results achieved by the plaintiffs on claims that prevailed at both summary judgment and trial. The court also affirmed the verdict by denying the defendants' motion for reconsideration.
The court granted in part and denied in part the plaintiffs' petition for fees, resulting in total awards of $406,935 and $10,814 respectively. The defendants are held jointly and severally liable for the total amount.
The players
The Plaintiffs
These parties successfully litigated claims under federal and state civil rights laws in Michigan.
The Defendants
These parties were held jointly and severally liable for the payment of the court-ordered attorneys' fees and costs.
The details
The court determined that the plaintiffs were the prevailing party based on jury verdicts rendered for civil rights violations. Consequently, the judge denied the defendants' request to reconsider the previous rulings.
Timeline
The court issued the order regarding fees and costs on October 4, 2026.
Culture Shift
This case follows the enforcement framework established by the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act to ensure legal remedies for discrimination. The ruling reinforces the standard for prevailing parties to recover costs in state-level civil rights litigation.
This decision clarifies the financial obligations for defendants who lose civil rights claims within the Michigan court system. It serves as a reminder of the potential litigation costs associated with failing to uphold federal and state employment protections.
The takeaway
Successful litigants in civil rights cases are often entitled to recover significant legal expenses when they prevail on their claims. This outcome highlights the importance of the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act as a mechanism for enforcing workplace equity in Michigan.
Further reading
For more on legal outcomes in the state, explore the Awards section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Michigan Lawyers Weekly.
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