Can a successful plaintiff in a Title VII action recover attorneys' fees?

Explanation:

Attorneys' fees in a Title VII action: In a Title VII action, the successful plaintiff is typically awarded attorneys' fees. This provision is intended to encourage individuals to bring legitimate claims of discrimination and to provide access to legal representation for those who may not be able to afford it on their own.

Exception: However, there is an exception to this general rule. If the defendant can demonstrate that the plaintiff's claim was brought in pursuit of a frivolous motive, the court may deny the recovery of attorneys' fees. This means that if the plaintiff's claim is found to be frivolous, unreasonable, or groundless, the court may decide against awarding attorneys' fees.

Example: An important case that helped establish this exception is Christianburg Garment Co. v. EEOC, 434 U.S. 412 (1978). In this case, the Supreme Court ruled that attorneys' fees could be denied to a successful plaintiff if it can be shown that the plaintiff's claim was frivolous, unreasonable, or groundless.

It is essential to remember that the denial of attorneys' fees in Title VII actions is not a common occurrence and requires specific circumstances. As a general rule, a successful plaintiff is entitled to recover attorneys' fees to cover the costs of legal representation in a Title VII discrimination case.