Ferdinand v. City of Fairbanks

OPINION

Before RABINOWITZ, C. J., and CON-NOR, BOOCHEVER, BURKE and MATTHEWS, JJ. CONNOR, Justice.

This case presents the narrow question of whether the court below was correct in concluding that, as a matter of law, an award of fees under the provisions of the Civil Rights Attorney’s Fees Awards Act of 1976, 42 U.S.C. § 1988, must be limited to partial rather than full compensation. 1

In the winter of 1977, the Fairbanks Municipal Utilities Service (M.U.S.) cut off electrical power to Rodger Ferdinand’s residence because of non-payment of a disputed bill. Ferdinand sued on behalf of himself and…