Hardt v. Reliance Standard Life Insurance Co.

Summary

The Supreme Court held that a fee claimant need not be a 'prevailing party' to recover attorney's fees under ERISA §1132(g)(1). Instead, fees may be awarded where the claimant achieves some degree of success on the merits. Justice Stevens concurred, agreeing on the outcome but cautioning against extending the Ruckelshaus rationale to other statutes.