Tex. Codes » Labor Code · TITLE 2. PROTECTION OF LABORERS · SUBTITLE A. EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION · CHAPTER 21. EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION
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Tex. Lab. Code § 21.259 (2026)

Attorney's Fees; Costs

✓ current as of May 2026
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Sec. 21.259. ATTORNEY'S FEES; COSTS. (a) In a proceeding under this chapter, a court may allow the prevailing party, other than the commission, a reasonable attorney's fee as part of the costs.

(b) The state, a state agency, or a political subdivision is liable for costs, including attorney's fees, to the same extent as a private person.

(c) In awarding costs and attorney's fees in an action or a proceeding under this chapter, the court, in its discretion, may include reasonable expert fees.

Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 269, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993. Amended by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 76, Sec. 9.07(c), eff. Sept. 1, 1995.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 72 cases (5 in the last 5 years), 1995–2025 · leading case: Intercontinental Grp. P'ship v. KB Home Lone Star L.P., 295 S.W.3d 650 (Tex. 2009).
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Intercontinental Grp. P'ship v. KB Home Lone Star L.P., 295 S.W.3d 650 (Tex. 2009). · cites it 2× “1998) (per curiam) (addressing attorney's fees provided by Texas Labor Code § 21.259, a statute intended to effectuate Title VII of the federal Civil Rights Act, see id.”
Rohrmoos Venture, Eric Langford, Dan Basso, & Tobin Grove v. Utsw DVA Healthcare, Llp, 578 S.W.3d 469 (Tex. 2019). “We explained that: Under the lodestar method, the determination of what constitutes a reasonable attorney's fee involves two steps.”
Burgmann Seals Am., Inc. v. Cadenhead, 135 S.W.3d 854 (Tex. App. 2004). · cites it 2× “Tex. Lab.Code Ann. §§ 21.259 (Vernon 1996).”
Sw. Bell Mobile Sys., Inc. v. Franco, 951 S.W.2d 218 (Tex. App. 1997). · cites it 4× “SBMS first argues that, for attorney's fees purposes, neither Franco nor Mendez were "prevailing parties" because the jury awarded them zero damages on the statutory action.”
Kirk Brand Coburn v. Janet Moreland, 433 S.W.3d 809 (Tex. App. 2014). “012(b) (authorizing award of attorney’s fees to "prevailing party” in various actions); Tex. Lab.Code § 21.259(a) ("[A] court may allow the prevailing party .”
Holland v. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., 1 S.W.3d 91 (Tex. 1999). “50(d); Tex. Lab.Code § 21.259(a); Tex. Gov’t Code § 554.”
Fred Jackson v. Host Int'l, Inc., 426 F. App'x 215 (5th Cir. 2011). · cites it 2× “Appeal Jackson seeks attorney’s fees for his successful defense of this appeal, relying on Texas Labor Code § 21.259, which allows a prevailing party to recover reasonable attorney’s fees in a proceeding under the Labor Code.”
Williams-Pyro, Inc. v. Rhonda Barbour, 408 S.W.3d 467 (Tex. App. 2013). · cites it 2× “Barbour argues that the trial court erred as a matter of law by concluding that it did not have the authority under Texas Labor Code Section 21.259 to apply a multiplier to enhance the amount of attorney’s fees in an age • discrimination case.”
Twigland Fashions, Ltd. v. Miller, 335 S.W.3d 206 (Tex. App. 2010). · cites it 2× “In five issues, Twigland asserts that (1) the evidence was legally insufficient to support a jury submission or finding of its liability under a hostile-work-environment sexual-harassment theory, or it was at least factually insufficient to support that finding; (2) Twigland…”
Winters v. Chubb & Son, Inc., 132 S.W.3d 568 (Tex. App. 2004). “” Tex. Lab.Code Ann. § 21.259 (Vernon 1996) (emphasis added).”
Coastal Mart, Inc. v. Hernandez, 76 S.W.3d 691 (Tex. App. 2002). · cites it 2× “Tex. Lab.Code Ann. § 21.259(a) (Vernon Supp.”
Dillard Dep't Stores, Inc. v. Gonzales, 72 S.W.3d 398 (Tex. App. 2002). “Tex. Lab. Code Ann. § 21.259 (a) (Vernon 1996).”
Show all 72 citing cases →
— Tex. Lab. Code § 21.259(a) — 28 cases
Rohrmoos Venture, Eric Langford, Dan Basso, & Tobin Grove v. Utsw DVA Healthcare, Llp, 578 S.W.3d 469 (Tex. 2019). “We explained that: Under the lodestar method, the determination of what constitutes a reasonable attorney's fee involves two steps.”
Kirk Brand Coburn v. Janet Moreland, 433 S.W.3d 809 (Tex. App. 2014). “012(b) (authorizing award of attorney’s fees to "prevailing party” in various actions); Tex. Lab.Code § 21.259(a) ("[A] court may allow the prevailing party .”
Holland v. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., 1 S.W.3d 91 (Tex. 1999). “50(d); Tex. Lab.Code § 21.259(a); Tex. Gov’t Code § 554.”
Coastal Mart, Inc. v. Hernandez, 76 S.W.3d 691 (Tex. App. 2002). “Tex. Lab.Code Ann. § 21.259(a) (Vernon Supp.”
Labrado v. Cnty. of El Paso, 132 S.W.3d 581 (Tex. App. 2004).
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