Attorneys who successfully challenged a COVID-19 vaccination policy imposed by the St. Louis Board of Education have secured a $1.3 million attorneys’ fee award, marking a significant development in the closely watched St. Louis Bias Lawsuit. The ruling underscores the financial and legal consequences public employers may face when workplace policies fail to accommodate employees’ religious beliefs.
Background of the St. Louis Bias Lawsuit
The St. Louis Bias Lawsuit arose after 43 employees of St. Louis Public Schools filed suit alleging religious discrimination tied to the district’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate. The employees argued that the school district unlawfully denied their requests for religious exemptions and subjected them to suspension or termination as a result.
Plaintiffs claimed the district’s actions violated their rights under the U.S. Constitution, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and applicable Missouri civil rights laws. They maintained that their religious beliefs were sincerely held and that the district failed to provide reasonable accommodations as required by law.
Court Approves $1.3 Million in Legal Fees
In a December 2025 ruling, U.S. District Judge Stephen R. Clark of the Eastern District of Missouri approved the plaintiffs’ request for approximately $1.3 million in attorneys’ fees and litigation costs. The award compensates the legal team for years of work spent litigating complex constitutional and employment-law issues.
The court found the hourly rates and time billed by the attorneys and paralegals to be reasonable given the scope of the litigation, the procedural challenges involved, and the broader legal significance of the case. Judge Clark also noted that the outcome justified a full fee award under federal civil rights statutes.
Legal Issues at the Center of the Case
At the heart of the St. Louis Bias Lawsuit was whether the school district properly evaluated religious exemption requests and whether its vaccine policy imposed an unlawful burden on religious exercise…