Lee v. American Eagle Airlines, Inc.

Anthony Lee (plaintiff) won a racially hostile work environment claim against American Eagle Airlines (defendant), and his attorneys, the Kurzbans, behaved belligerently throughout the 14-day trial — making combative remarks to opposing counsel, visibly mocking the judge's rulings, and getting into an altercation with the court reporter. Lee sought roughly $1.6 million in attorney's fees at $300 per hour as the prevailing party, and the district court held an evidentiary hearing to decide whether the Kurzbans' trial conduct should affect the fee award.