Forum
U.S. Supreme Court
Case Status
Decided
Docket Number
Term
2015 Term
Oral Argument Date
March 28, 2016
Lower Court Opinion
Questions Presented
Whether a dismissal of a Title VII case, based on the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s total failure to satisfy its pre-suit investigation, reasonable cause, and conciliation obligations, can form the basis of an attorney’s fee award to the defendant under 42 U.S.C. § 2000e-5(k)?
Case Updates
U.S. Supreme Court rules that victorious defendants may receive attorney’s fees even in cases not resolved on the merits
May 19, 2016
The Supreme Court unanimously ruled that, for purposes of receiving attorney’s fees under Title VII, a defendant may be considered a prevailing party in a suit even if the case does not reach the merits.
U.S. Chamber files amicus brief
January 26, 2016
In its brief, the U.S. Chamber urged the Supreme Court to hold that CRST is entitled to attorney’s fees from EEOC under Title VII for the government’s undisputedly illegal conduct. Specifically, EEOC filed a class action-like lawsuit against CRST and sought relief for 67 individuals it first identified after it filed suit, without complying with Title VII’s multi-step pre-suit process. The coalition brief argues that CRST is entitled to attorney’s fees under the enforcement provisions of 42 U.S.C. § 2000e–5(k). The brief further argues that the EEOC should not be allowed to sidestep its failure to follow its statutory obligations under Title VII.
American Trucking Associations, Inc. and Business Roundtable joined the U.S. Chamber on the brief.
Eric S. Dreiband and Kenton J. Skarin of Jones Day served as co-counsel to the amici with the U.S. Chamber Litigation Center.
Case Documents
- Opinion -- EEOC v. CRST Van Expedited (CA8).pdf
- Cert. Petiton -- CRST Van Expedited v. EEOC (SCOTUS).pdf
- Brief in Opposition -- CRST Van Expedited v. EEOC (SCOTUS).pdf
- Reply Brief -- CRST Van Expedited v. EEOC (SCOTUS).pdf
- Petitioner Brief -- CRST Van Expedited v. EEOC (SCOTUS).pdf
- Americans for Forfeiture Reform Amicus Brief -- CRST Van Expedited v. EEOC (SCOTUS).pdf
- Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World Amicus Brief -- CRST Van Expedited v. EEOC (SCOTUS).pdf
- Equal Employment Advisory Council Amicus Brief -- CRST Van Expedited v. EEOC (SCOTUS).pdf
- U.S. Chamber Amicus Brief -- CRST Van Expedited v. EEOC (SCOTUS).pdf
- Brief for the Respondent by Solicitor General -- CRST Van Expedited v. EEOC (SCOTUS).pdf
- Reply Brief for Petitioners -- CRST Van Expedited v. EEOC (SCOTUS).pdf
- Transcript of Oral Argument -- CRST Van Expedited v. EEOC (SCOTUS).pdf
- Opinion -- CRST Van Expedited v. EEOC (SCOTUS).pdf