23-7821, 24-1926 Spring v. Allegany-Limestone Central School District
UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE SECOND CIRCUIT
SUMMARY ORDER
RULINGS BY SUMMARY ORDER DO NOT HAVE PRECEDENTIAL EFFECT. CITATION TO A SUM- MARY ORDER FILED ON OR AFTER JANUARY 1, 2007, IS PERMITTED AND IS GOVERNED BY FED- ERAL RULE OF APPELLATE PROCEDURE 32.1 AND THIS COURT’S LOCAL RULE 32.1.1. WHEN CITING A SUMMARY ORDER IN A DOCUMENT FILED WITH THIS COURT, A PARTY MUST CITE EITHER THE FEDERAL APPENDIX OR AN ELECTRONIC DATABASE (WITH THE NOTATION “SUMMARY ORDER”). A PARTY CITING A SUMMARY ORDER MUST SERVE A COPY OF IT ON ANY PARTY NOT REPRESENTED BY COUNSEL.
1 At a stated term of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, held at the 2 Thurgood Marshall United States Courthouse, 40 Foley Square, in the City of New York, on the 3 10th day of April, two thousand twenty-five. 4 5 Present: 6 DEBRA ANN LIVINGSTON, 7 Chief Judge, 8 RICHARD C. WESLEY, 9 Circuit Judge, 10 BRENDA K. SANNES, 11 District Judge. * 12 _____________________________________ 13 14 KERI SPRING, on behalf of Gregory Spring and as 15 the duly appointed administrator of The Estate of 16 Gregory Spring; EUGENE SPRING, on behalf of 17 Gregory Spring, JULIANNE SPRING, 18 19 Plaintiffs-Appellees, 20 21 v. 23-7821, 24-1926 22 23 ALLEGANY-LIMESTONE CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT; 24 THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF THE ALLEGANY-LIME- 25 STONE CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT, KEVIN STRAUB, 26 Principal, 27
Chief Judge Brenda K. Sannes, of the United States District Court for the Northern District of *
New York, sitting by designation.
1 28 Defendants-Appellants.** 29 _____________________________________ 30 31 For Plaintiffs-Appellees: A.J. BOSMAN (Robert Strum, on the brief), Bosman Law 32 Firm, L.L.C., Blossvale, NY; Stephen Bergstein, Berg- 33 stein & Ullrich, New Palz, NY. 34 35 For Defendants-Appellants: MARINA MURRAY, Sugarman Law Firm LLP, Buffalo, 36 NY. 37 38 Appeal from a judgment of the United States District Court for the Western District of New
39 York (Sinatra, J.).
40 UPON DUE CONSIDERATION, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED, ADJUDGED, AND
41 DECREED that the judgment of the district court is AFFIRMED in part and VACATED AND
42 REMANDED in part.
43 Defendants-Appellants Allegany-Limestone Central School District, the Board of Educa-
44 tion of Allegany-Limestone Central School District, and Kevin Straub (“Allegany-Limestone”),
45 appeal a final judgment entered by the United States District Court of the Western District of New
46 York (Sinatra, J.), denying their motion for a new trial and motion for judgment as a matter of law.
47 Plaintiffs-Appellees Keri Spring, on behalf of, and as administrator of The Estate of Gregory
48 Spring, Eugene Spring, and Julianne Spring (the “Springs”) cross-appeal the district court’s judg-
49 ment reducing their attorney’s fees by 80%. We assume the parties’ familiarity with the under-
50 lying facts, procedural history of the case, and issues on appeal, referencing only what is necessary
51 to explain our decision to AFFIRM in part and VACATE and REMAND in part.
52 I. Allegany-Limestone’s Post-Trial Motions
53 We review a district court’s denial of judgment as a matter of law de novo, construing all
54 facts and inferences in favor of the nonmoving party. Palin v. New York Times Co., 113 F.4th
** The Clerk is respectfully directed to amend the caption.
2 1 245, 263 (2d Cir. 2024). We may grant such judgment if we determine “a reasonable jury would
2 not have a legally sufficient evidentiary basis to find for the party on that issue.” Fed. R. Civ. P.
3 50(a). Allegany-Limestone contends that the evidence was insufficient to find that Gregory
4 Spring was disabled under the Americans with Disability Act (“ADA”), 42 U.S.C. § 12101 et seq.,
5 and Rehabilitation Act, 29 U.S.C. § 701 et seq., and that it discriminated against Gregory by reason
6 of his disability. We disagree.
7 Title II of the ADA prohibits a public entity from discriminating against an individual “by
8 reason of” disability. 42 U.S.C. § 12132. The Rehabilitation Act similarly prohibits programs
9 receiving federal financial assistance from discriminating “solely by reason of” disability. 29
10 U.S.C. § 794(a). An individual is disabled under the ADA and Rehabilitation Act if they have
11 “a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities,” “a
12 record of such an impairment,” or are “regarded as having such an impairment.” 42 U.S.C.
13 § 12102(1); B.C. v. Mount Vernon Sch. Dist., 837 F.3d 152, 158, 159 (2d Cir. 2016) (explaining
14 that the Rehabilitation Act incorporates the ADA definition of disability). Major life activities
15 include, inter alia, speaking, concentrating, and communicating. 42 U.S.C. § 12102(2)(A).
16 Here, the parties agree that an entity subject to the ADA and Rehabilitation Act discriminates
17 against an individual with a disability when the disability is a “motivating factor” in adverse treat-
18 ment. 1
19 There was legally sufficient evidence for the jury to find Gregory Spring disabled under
Thus, for the purpose of resolving this appeal, we assume—without deciding—that this is correct. But see Natofsky v. City of New York, 921 F.3d 337, 348 (2d Cir. 2019) (rejecting the motivating factor test in favor of a “but-for” causation standard under Title I of the ADA); Reg'l Econ. Cmty. Action Program, Inc. v. City of Middletown, 294 F.3d 35, 49 (2d Cir. 2002) (explaining that the Rehabilitation Act requires a higher causal showing than the ADA).
3 1 the ADA and Rehabilitation Act. Witnesses at trial explained that Gregory had Tourette’s and
2 Callosum Dysgenesis, conditions that restricted his ability to process information, “put his
3 thoughts into words,” and speak. A-617–18. When Gregory did speak, verbal tics, such as re-
4 peating the “f” word, interrupted and distracted him. These conditions also inhibited Gregory’s
5 ability to control and articulate his emotions. When Gregory was trying to get a word out, process
6 what was going on, or respond to authority, he became anxious and upset. His tics would worsen,
7 or he would “impulsive[ly] act[],” A-341; A-180, such as by getting into a “verbal confrontation”
8 with someone, A-182. Based on this testimony, a jury could conclude that Gregory’s conditions
9 substantially limited his ability to communicate. Wright v. Memphis Light, Gas & Water Div.,
10 558 F. App'x 548, 550 (6th Cir. 2014) (noting stutter, which occurred when the plaintiff was nerv-
11 ous, substantially limited his ability to speak and communicate).
12 We also find ample evidence indicating that Allegany-Limestone discriminated against
13 Gregory. At trial, the jury learned that Gregory was caught kicking another student as part of a
14 “game.” When confronted by the coach, Gregory said the “f” word and told the coach to “suck
15 it.” A-1244.
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23-7821, 24-1926 Spring v. Allegany-Limestone Central School District
UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE SECOND CIRCUIT
SUMMARY ORDER
RULINGS BY SUMMARY ORDER DO NOT HAVE PRECEDENTIAL EFFECT. CITATION TO A SUM- MARY ORDER FILED ON OR AFTER JANUARY 1, 2007, IS PERMITTED AND IS GOVERNED BY FED- ERAL RULE OF APPELLATE PROCEDURE 32.1 AND THIS COURT’S LOCAL RULE 32.1.1. WHEN CITING A SUMMARY ORDER IN A DOCUMENT FILED WITH THIS COURT, A PARTY MUST CITE EITHER THE FEDERAL APPENDIX OR AN ELECTRONIC DATABASE (WITH THE NOTATION “SUMMARY ORDER”). A PARTY CITING A SUMMARY ORDER MUST SERVE A COPY OF IT ON ANY PARTY NOT REPRESENTED BY COUNSEL.
1 At a stated term of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, held at the 2 Thurgood Marshall United States Courthouse, 40 Foley Square, in the City of New York, on the 3 10th day of April, two thousand twenty-five. 4 5 Present: 6 DEBRA ANN LIVINGSTON, 7 Chief Judge, 8 RICHARD C. WESLEY, 9 Circuit Judge, 10 BRENDA K. SANNES, 11 District Judge. * 12 _____________________________________ 13 14 KERI SPRING, on behalf of Gregory Spring and as 15 the duly appointed administrator of The Estate of 16 Gregory Spring; EUGENE SPRING, on behalf of 17 Gregory Spring, JULIANNE SPRING, 18 19 Plaintiffs-Appellees, 20 21 v. 23-7821, 24-1926 22 23 ALLEGANY-LIMESTONE CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT; 24 THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF THE ALLEGANY-LIME- 25 STONE CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT, KEVIN STRAUB, 26 Principal, 27
Chief Judge Brenda K. Sannes, of the United States District Court for the Northern District of *
New York, sitting by designation.
1 28 Defendants-Appellants.** 29 _____________________________________ 30 31 For Plaintiffs-Appellees: A.J. BOSMAN (Robert Strum, on the brief), Bosman Law 32 Firm, L.L.C., Blossvale, NY; Stephen Bergstein, Berg- 33 stein & Ullrich, New Palz, NY. 34 35 For Defendants-Appellants: MARINA MURRAY, Sugarman Law Firm LLP, Buffalo, 36 NY. 37 38 Appeal from a judgment of the United States District Court for the Western District of New
39 York (Sinatra, J.).
40 UPON DUE CONSIDERATION, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED, ADJUDGED, AND
41 DECREED that the judgment of the district court is AFFIRMED in part and VACATED AND
42 REMANDED in part.
43 Defendants-Appellants Allegany-Limestone Central School District, the Board of Educa-
44 tion of Allegany-Limestone Central School District, and Kevin Straub (“Allegany-Limestone”),
45 appeal a final judgment entered by the United States District Court of the Western District of New
46 York (Sinatra, J.), denying their motion for a new trial and motion for judgment as a matter of law.
47 Plaintiffs-Appellees Keri Spring, on behalf of, and as administrator of The Estate of Gregory
48 Spring, Eugene Spring, and Julianne Spring (the “Springs”) cross-appeal the district court’s judg-
49 ment reducing their attorney’s fees by 80%. We assume the parties’ familiarity with the under-
50 lying facts, procedural history of the case, and issues on appeal, referencing only what is necessary
51 to explain our decision to AFFIRM in part and VACATE and REMAND in part.
52 I. Allegany-Limestone’s Post-Trial Motions
53 We review a district court’s denial of judgment as a matter of law de novo, construing all
54 facts and inferences in favor of the nonmoving party. Palin v. New York Times Co., 113 F.4th
** The Clerk is respectfully directed to amend the caption.
2 1 245, 263 (2d Cir. 2024). We may grant such judgment if we determine “a reasonable jury would
2 not have a legally sufficient evidentiary basis to find for the party on that issue.” Fed. R. Civ. P.
3 50(a). Allegany-Limestone contends that the evidence was insufficient to find that Gregory
4 Spring was disabled under the Americans with Disability Act (“ADA”), 42 U.S.C. § 12101 et seq.,
5 and Rehabilitation Act, 29 U.S.C. § 701 et seq., and that it discriminated against Gregory by reason
6 of his disability. We disagree.
7 Title II of the ADA prohibits a public entity from discriminating against an individual “by
8 reason of” disability. 42 U.S.C. § 12132. The Rehabilitation Act similarly prohibits programs
9 receiving federal financial assistance from discriminating “solely by reason of” disability. 29
10 U.S.C. § 794(a). An individual is disabled under the ADA and Rehabilitation Act if they have
11 “a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities,” “a
12 record of such an impairment,” or are “regarded as having such an impairment.” 42 U.S.C.
13 § 12102(1); B.C. v. Mount Vernon Sch. Dist., 837 F.3d 152, 158, 159 (2d Cir. 2016) (explaining
14 that the Rehabilitation Act incorporates the ADA definition of disability). Major life activities
15 include, inter alia, speaking, concentrating, and communicating. 42 U.S.C. § 12102(2)(A).
16 Here, the parties agree that an entity subject to the ADA and Rehabilitation Act discriminates
17 against an individual with a disability when the disability is a “motivating factor” in adverse treat-
18 ment. 1
19 There was legally sufficient evidence for the jury to find Gregory Spring disabled under
Thus, for the purpose of resolving this appeal, we assume—without deciding—that this is correct. But see Natofsky v. City of New York, 921 F.3d 337, 348 (2d Cir. 2019) (rejecting the motivating factor test in favor of a “but-for” causation standard under Title I of the ADA); Reg'l Econ. Cmty. Action Program, Inc. v. City of Middletown, 294 F.3d 35, 49 (2d Cir. 2002) (explaining that the Rehabilitation Act requires a higher causal showing than the ADA).
3 1 the ADA and Rehabilitation Act. Witnesses at trial explained that Gregory had Tourette’s and
2 Callosum Dysgenesis, conditions that restricted his ability to process information, “put his
3 thoughts into words,” and speak. A-617–18. When Gregory did speak, verbal tics, such as re-
4 peating the “f” word, interrupted and distracted him. These conditions also inhibited Gregory’s
5 ability to control and articulate his emotions. When Gregory was trying to get a word out, process
6 what was going on, or respond to authority, he became anxious and upset. His tics would worsen,
7 or he would “impulsive[ly] act[],” A-341; A-180, such as by getting into a “verbal confrontation”
8 with someone, A-182. Based on this testimony, a jury could conclude that Gregory’s conditions
9 substantially limited his ability to communicate. Wright v. Memphis Light, Gas & Water Div.,
10 558 F. App'x 548, 550 (6th Cir. 2014) (noting stutter, which occurred when the plaintiff was nerv-
11 ous, substantially limited his ability to speak and communicate).
12 We also find ample evidence indicating that Allegany-Limestone discriminated against
13 Gregory. At trial, the jury learned that Gregory was caught kicking another student as part of a
14 “game.” When confronted by the coach, Gregory said the “f” word and told the coach to “suck
15 it.” A-1244. The coach admitted to removing Gregory from the team for “what he said” and
16 “the way he acted after he kicked the other student.” A-1251, 1263. Gregory’s mother had
17 previously warned the coach and administrators of this exact behavior. She explained that Greg-
18 ory’s Tourette’s, “which included foul language along with many other repeating phrases,” was
19 “not something that he can control” and that Gregory “can be easily angered . . . . when he feels
20 cornered, bullied, or pointed out in front of the class.” A-1505; see also A-1351 (IEP document-
21 ing Gregory displayed “impulsive verbal reaction[s] to authority”). Accordingly, a reasonable
22 jury could conclude that conduct caused by Gregory’s disability motivated his removal from the
23 team. See Sedor v. Frank, 42 F.3d 741, 746 (2d Cir. 1994) (explaining that “causation may be
4 1 established if the disability caused conduct that, in turn, motivated” the adverse decision); Gonza-
2 lez v. Rite Aid of New York, Inc., 199 F. Supp. 2d 122, 130 (S.D.N.Y. 2002). Judgment as a
3 matter of law was thus not warranted. Brady v. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., 531 F.3d 127, 134 (2d Cir.
4 2008). 2
5 II. Award of Attorney’s Fees
6 We review an award of attorney’s fees for abuse of discretion. McDonald ex rel Pren-
7 dergast v. Pension Plan of the NYSA-ILA Pension Tr. Fund, 450 F.3d 91, 96 (2d Cir. 2006). The
8 prevailing party in an action commenced under the ADA may recoup “reasonable attorney’s fee[s],
9 including litigation expenses, and costs.” 42 U.S.C. § 12205; Fed. R. Civ. P. 54(d). This party
10 bears the burden of establishing entitlement to a fee award and documenting the hours expended
11 and appropriate hourly rate. Hensley v. Eckerhart, 461 U.S. 424, 437 (1983). Ordinarily, courts
12 use the lodestar method to determine the fee award, Grant v. Martinez, 973 F.2d 96, 99 (2d Cir.
13 1992), but they may “use a percentage deduction as a practical means of trimming fat from a fee
14 application,” McDonald, 450 F.3d at 96 (citations and internal marks omitted). The Springs con-
15 tend the district court abused its discretion by reducing their fee award by 80%, from $451,688.92
16 to $90,337.79. We agree.
17 A court is entitled to reduce fees for several reasons. Where a plaintiff has achieved lim-
18 ited success, the court should award fees reasonable in relation to the results obtained, as deter-
19 mined by looking to quality and quantity of what the plaintiff achieved as compared to what they
20 sought in the complaint. Holick v. Cellular Sales of New York, LLC, 48 F.4th 101, 106 (2d Cir.
For substantially the same reasons, we determine that the verdict was not against the weight of 2
the evidence and that the district court did not abuse its discretion in denying Allegany-Limestone’s motion for a new trial. Qorrolli v. Metro. Dental Assocs., 124 F.4th 115, 125 (2d Cir. 2024); Raedle v. Credit Agricole Indosuez, 670 F.3d 411, 417–18 (2d Cir. 2012).
5 1 2022); Barfield v. New York City Health & Hosps. Corp., 537 F.3d 132, 152 (2d Cir. 2008). A
2 reduction also may be warranted where there are inaccuracies or vagaries in timekeeping that pre-
3 vent meaningful review. Pasini v. Godiva Chocolatier, Inc., 764 F. App'x 94, 95 (2d Cir. 2019)
4 (summary order); Raja v. Burns, 43 F.4th 80, 87 (2d Cir. 2022). However, a court does not have
5 carte blanche to make these reductions. Rather, its reduction must be proportionate to the degree
6 of success or the billing deficiencies it identifies. See Raja, 43 F.4th at 87; Kirsch v. Fleet St.,
7 Ltd., 148 F.3d 149, 173 (2d Cir. 1998) (explaining that a district court has discretion to deduct a
8 “reasonable percentage” (emphasis added)).
9 Although the district court was entitled to reduce Plaintiffs’ fee award, we conclude that
10 the record does not justify “such a steep overall reduction.” Raja, 43 F.4th at 91; Guardians Ass'n
11 of Police Dep't of New York v. City of New York, 133 F. App'x 785, 786 (2d Cir. 2005) (summary
12 order) (explaining that an 80% reduction is “unusually large”). Contrary to what the district court
13 found, the vague timekeeping entries were not so severe as to “obscure redundant or unreasonable
14 billing practices.” Raja, 43 F.4th at 89–90. In fact, the district court was able to identify where
15 the attorneys had double-billed for travel and which “specific entries . . . it viewed as vague.” Id.
16 (determining percentage-based cut was inappropriate where the district court could identify defi-
17 cient entries). These specific deficiencies did not, on their own, “reasonably lead to a substantial
18 across-the-board cut.” Id.
19 The district court similarly miscalculated the degree of the Springs’ success. The district
20 court correctly acknowledged that many of the Springs’ claims were dismissed prior to trial. But
21 it omitted mention of the Springs’ successful appeal to this Court, which reversed some of these
22 dismissals. Spring v. Allegany-Limestone Cent. Sch. Dist., 655 F. App'x 25, 27–28 (2d Cir. 2016)
23 (summary order) (reversing dismissal of the ADA and Rehabilitation Act claims). At trial, the
6 1 Springs proved that Gregory was disabled and that Allegany-Limestone intentionally discrimi-
2 nated against him. And while the district court correctly noted that the Springs’ deliberate indif-
3 ference claim was unsuccessful, it failed to recognize that this claim shared a common core of facts
4 and law with the discrimination claim—most notably, the existence of Gregory’s disability.
5 Green v. Torres, 361 F.3d 96, 98 (2d Cir. 2004) (explaining that, where claims involve common
6 facts or related legal theories, attorney’s fees may be awarded for successful and unsuccessful
7 claims). In sum, the record does not support the district court’s extreme reduction. Its fee award
8 therefore fell outside the range of permissible decisions. Raja, 43 F.4th at 86.
9 * * *
10 We have considered the parties’ remaining arguments and find them to be without merit.
11 Accordingly, we AFFIRM the judgment of the district court regarding judgment as a matter of
12 law and a new trial but VACATE the judgment regarding fees and REMAND the case for pro-
13 ceedings consistent with this decision.
14 FOR THE COURT: 15 Catherine O’Hagan Wolfe, Clerk of Court