Opinion
No. 3:01cv0275 AS
October 24, 2002
MEMORANDUM AND ORDER
This Court takes full judicial notice of the entire record in this case. In Moore v. University of Notre Dame, 22 F. Supp.2d 896 (N.D.Ind. 1998), this Court dealt in depth and at length with issues that parallel those remaining in this case. And that decision and the authorities therein stated form the basis of this Court's decision here. Since the return of the verdict on July 18, 2002 and the judgment entered thereon on July 19, 2002, now more than 90 days ago, counsel in this case have had more than enough time to confer with regard to the remaining issues in the case as suggested in this Court's Memorandum of July 29, 2002. The Court first takes up the issue of front pay and takes note of the filing by the plaintiff on August 1, 2002 with regard to front pay. It is worthy of note that the only verdict rendered by the jury in this case was for retaliation, but that does not foreclose the award of front pay. However, candor requires this Court to take the totality of the jury verdict into account.
Paralleling the considerations outlined in Moore, and under Williams v. Pharmacia, 137 F.3d 944 (7th Cir. 1998), this Court awards front pay to this plaintiff in the sum of $23,500.00, which shall be in addition to the amount of $23,500.00 awarded by the jury. Also on August 1, 2002, the plaintiff made filings relevant to attorney fees and costs. No response has been filed on behalf of the defendant. The amount of costs totaling $821.09, as indicated in the Bill for Costs is now GRANTED in favor of the plaintiff and against the defendant. As indicated in Moore, this plaintiff did not prevail on all issues, but certainly prevailed enough to be a prevailing party. Again, looking at Moore for guidance, this Court has no difficulty in awarding this plaintiff's counsel $175.00 per hour. That applies to all three counsel.
This Court will significantly reduce the hours for which fees are awarded, and will not use a multiplier. Therefore, this Court will award as attorney fees for the aforesaid attorneys 300 hours at $175.00 per hour plus reasonable attorney expenses in the sum of $821.09, all to be paid by the defendant. The judgment to be entered on these issues, combined with the judgment previously entered on the jury verdict, constitutes a final, appealable judgment in this case. IT IS SO ORDERED.