Lackey v. Stinnie

Summary

The Supreme Court held that drivers who obtained only a preliminary injunction before the case became moot are not "prevailing parties" eligible for attorney's fees under 42 U.S.C. § 1988(b). The Court reasoned that prevailing party status requires a court‑conclusive, enduring, judicially sanctioned change in the legal relationship between the parties. The Fourth Circuit judgment was reversed and the case remanded for further proceedings consistent with this rule.