Wilfert Bros. Realty v. Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination

**The Dispute** An employee named Keeling filed a disability discrimination complaint against his employer, Wilfert Brothers Realty Company, with the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD). The MCAD is the state agency that handles workplace discrimination cases. Keeling won his discrimination case, proving that his employer had illegally discriminated against him because of his disability. **The Court's Decision** After winning his discrimination case, Keeling asked the court to order his former employer to pay his attorney fees. The court agreed and awarded Keeling $31,241 to cover the legal costs of fighting his discrimination case. However, the court excluded certain fees related to appeals and other court motions that came after the main case. **What This Means for Workers** This ruling shows that employees who successfully prove workplace discrimination may be able to recover their attorney fees from their employer. This is important because discrimination lawsuits can be expensive, and many workers might not be able to afford legal representation otherwise. Knowing that winning plaintiffs can potentially get their legal costs covered makes it more feasible for workers to stand up against discrimination and seek justice when their rights are violated.