Zalloum v. Weatherford

Filing 40

ORDER denying 39 Appellant's Motion for Reconsideration. Signed by Judge Paul G. Byron on 2/22/2018. (JRJ)

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
MIDDLE DISTRICT OF FLORIDA
ORLANDO DIVISION

In Re: Julie Baker Zalloum
JULIE BAKER ZALLOUM,
Appellant,
v.

Case No: 6:17-cv-561-Orl-40

LAURIE K. WEATHERFORD,
Appellee.
/
ORDER
This cause is before the Court on pro se Appellant Julie Zalloum’s Motion for
Reconsideration of this Court’s Order Dismissing Appeal. (Doc. 39). This case involves
an appeal of a final order of the Bankruptcy Court dismissing Appellant Julie Zalloum’s
bankruptcy case. (Docs. 1–2). On February 1, 2018, this Court affirmed the Bankruptcy
Court orders that Appellant contested. (Doc. 35). Thereafter, on February 14, 2018,
Appellant filed a Notice of Appeal as to this Court’s Order dismissing the case. (Doc. 37).
Then, on February 16, 2018, Appellant filed a Motion for Reconsideration of the same
Order that she had appealed. (Doc. 39). Because the filing of the February 14, 2018,
Notice of Appeal divested this Court of jurisdiction, the Motion for Reconsideration is due
to be denied.
“Subject to exceptions not relevant here, 1 ‘the filing of a notice of appeal is an event
of jurisdictional significance—it confers jurisdiction on the court of appeals and divests

1

For a list of exceptions to this general rule, see United States v. Vicaria, 963 F.2d
1412, 1415 n.2 (11th Cir. 1992) (per curiam).

the district court of its control over the aspects of the case involved in the appeal.’” United
States v. Diveroli, 729 F.3d 1339, 1341 (11th Cir. 2013) (alteration accepted) (quoting
United States v. Tovar–Rico, 61 F.3d 1529, 1532 (11th Cir. 1995)). After an appeal is
filed, district courts are stripped of authority to “take any action with regard to the matter
except in aid of the appeal.” Shewchun v. United States, 797 F.2d 941, 942 (11th Cir.
1986) (per curiam) (quoting United States v. Hitchmon, 602 F.2d 689, 692 (5th Cir. 1979),
superseded by statute on other grounds, 18 U.S.C. § 3731). This doctrine avoids the
potential waste, confusion, and finality problems created by having two separate courts
simultaneously adjudicating the same issues.
When Appellant filed her Notice of Appeal on February 14, 2018, the Court was
divested of jurisdiction over the aspects involved in that appeal. That appeal concerns the
very Order that Appellant requests the Court to reconsider in her February 16, 2018,
motion. The Court thus lacks jurisdiction to rule on the Motion for Reconsideration.
Accordingly, it is hereby ORDERED AND ADJUDGED that Appellant’s Motion for
Reconsideration (Doc. 39) is DENIED.
DONE AND ORDERED in Orlando, Florida, on February 22, 2018.

Copies furnished to:
Counsel of Record
Unrepresented Parties

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