Ledbetter v. Jones

How later courts describe this case

• “a prisoner has a right to be protected from the constant threat of violence ... ”
• defendants’ compliance came only after five years of “hotly contested” litigation, and only after oral argument of Fifth Circuit appeal; at time of trial, jail “still violated some constitutional requirements”
• "Lawyers who are to be compensated only in the event of victory expect and are entitled to be paid more when successful than those who are assured of compensation regardless of result"
• if unsuccessful claims contributed to success of case, attorneys' fees are available on claims