U.S. Capital

Austin Federal Judge Reversed in ADA Case

Dec 18, 2017

Civil Rights & Tech Attorney Omar W. Rosales

Austin, TX (Law Firm Newswire) December 18, 2017 – Austin-based civil rights and tech attorney Omar W. Rosales scored a second Appellate victory in an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Civil Rights case where U.S. District Judge Lee Yeakel’s decision to deny attorney’s fees was reversed by the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit on December 14, 2017 in 17-50109, Deutsch v. Becerra, Inc.

Yeakel first denied ADA attorney’s fees and was reversed by the Fifth Circuit on August 29, 2016 in 16-50164, Deutsch v. Becerra, Inc. Yeakel then reduced the fees requested and said that any appellate costs were not legitimate expenses. The Fifth Circuit overturned Yeakel’s second ruling, noting that appellate costs are valid expenses, since the appeal resulted from Yeakel’s error in the first place.

“I am extremely thankful to the Fifth Circuit for its decision. Once again, the Fifth Circuit has supported disabled Americans in their quest for civil rights. The Americans with a Disabilities Act is a very important legislative tool that allows disabled Americans to participate in our great nation,” noted Rosales, who is a former Marine and graduate of The University of Texas School of Law.

“We will continue to fight for civil rights and civil liberties in the physical and digital sphere,” continued Rosales.