Nelson et al v. Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company et al
Filing
39
ORDER granting in part and denying in part 32 Motion for Reconsideration for the reasons set out in the order. The Court will enter a judgment of $7,984.89 against Plaintiffs' counsel for attorney's fees and expenses incurred by the Tatum and Upshaw Defendants. Signed by District Judge Daniel P. Jordan III on February 6, 2012. (SP)
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF MISSISSIPPI
JACKSON DIVISION
TAMMY NELSON & CALVERT NELSON
VS.
PLAINTIFF
CIVIL ACTION NO.: 3:11-cv-223-DPJ-FKB
NATIONWIDE MUTUAL INSURANCE
COMPANY; NATIONWIDE MUTUAL FIRE
INSURANCE COMPANY; UPSHAW, WILLIAMS,
BIGGERS & BECKHAM, LLP; PATRICK M.
TATUM; AND GEORGE BROWN
DEFENDANTS
ORDER
This matter is before the Court on Plaintiffs Tammy and Calvert Nelson’s Motion [32] to
Reconsider the Court’s Order of June 30, 2011. Defendants Upshaw, Williams, Biggers &
Beckham, LLP, Patrick Tatum, Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company, and Nationwide Mutual
Fire Insurance Company oppose the motion [35, 37] .
Awarding sanctions is at times necessary but always unfortunate, and it is only with
sober reflection that the Court enters such orders. The Court is equally circumspect in
reconsidering the issue. But having fully reviewed the parties’ submissions and the relevant
authority, the Court finds that sanctions were appropriately granted. The Court did, however,
cite the wrong rule. Thus, Plaintiffs’ Motion should be granted in part and denied in part.
I.
Background
This case arises out of a dispute concerning a homeowner’s insurance policy Plaintiffs
Tammy and Calvert Nelson held through Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company
(“Nationwide”).1 After the Nelsons made a claim on their home insurance policy, Nationwide
1
Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company issued the homeowner’s policy through its
subsidiary, Nationwide Mutual Fire Insurance Company. Both entities are referenced
collectively herein as “Nationwide.”
requested sworn examinations under oath (“EUOs”) as provided in the policy. Attorney Patrick
Tatum of the Upshaw, Williams, Biggers & Beckham, LLP (“Upshaw”) law firm conducted the
EUOs in the presence of Nationwide representative George Brown. Nationwide subsequently
denied coverage for the Nelsons’ claim. The Nelsons then filed suit in the Circuit Court of
Hinds County, Mississippi, against Nationwide, Brown, Tatum, and Upshaw, alleging claims of
false imprisonment and intentional infliction of emotional distress (“IIED”) against all
defendants. Plaintiffs further alleged claims of breach of contract, tortious breach of contract,
and bad faith refusal to tender insurance proceeds against Nationwide only. Soon after,
Defendants Tatum and Upshaw filed a Motion to Dismiss, or in the Alternative, for Summary
Judgment and for Attorney’s Fees and Expenses in state court. See State Court Record [1-1] at
33–76. Sanctions were requested under Rule 11 of the Mississippi Rules of Civil Procedure and
section 11-55-5 of the Mississippi Code.
Nationwide removed the case to this Court, arguing improper joinder of Defendants
Brown, Tatum, and Upshaw, and Tatum and Upshaw gave notice of their unadjudicated state
court motions [15]. The Nelsons moved to remand. On June 30, 2011, this Court entered an
Order [30] finding the Nelsons had no reasonable possibility of recovery against Brown, Tatum,
and Upshaw, the resident defendants. The Court denied Plaintiffs’ Motion to Remand [8] and
granted Defendant George Brown’s Motion to Dismiss [3] and Defendants Tatum and Upshaw’s
Motion to Dismiss, or in the Alternative, for Summary Judgment and for Attorney’s Fees and
Expenses. In the Order, the Court granted Tatum and Upshaw’s request for sanctions against the
Nelsons’ counsel for filing frivolous claims against them. The Nelsons then filed a Motion [32]
for Reconsideration of the Court’s Order pursuant to Rule 59(e), and Defendants responded in
2
opposition [35, 37]. The Court has personal and subject matter jurisdiction and is prepared to
rule.
II.
Standard
Rule 59(e) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure allows a court to alter or amend
judgment. But reconsideration “is an extraordinary remedy that should be used sparingly.”
Templet v. HydroChem Inc., 367 F.3d 473, 479 (5th Cir. 2004). “[S]uch a motion is not the
proper vehicle for rehashing evidence, legal theories, or arguments that could have been offered
or raised before the entry of judgment.” Id. (citing Simon v. U.S., 891 F.2d 1154, 1159 (5th Cir.
1990)). Instead, “a motion to alter or amend the judgment under Rule 59(e) must clearly
establish either a manifest error of law or fact or must present newly discovered evidence and
cannot be used to raise arguments which could, and should, have been made before the judgment
issued.” Rosenzweig v. Azurix Corp., 332 F.3d 854, 863 (5th Cir. 2003) (citations and quotations
omitted).
III.
Analysis
A.
The Nelsons’ Motion to Remand, Tatum and Upshaw’s Motion to Dismiss or
Alternatively for Summary Judgment, and Brown’s Motion to Dismiss
Plaintiffs seek reconsideration of the Court’s determination that their IIED and false
imprisonment claims against Brown, Tatum, and Upshaw were frivolous and subject to
dismissal, arguing this was an error of law.2 As shown below, they base their position on
arguments and evidence that they made, or should have made, prior to the Court’s Order. As
2
Whether Plaintiffs have a reasonable possibility of recovery against Brown, Tatum, and
Upshaw impacts the outcome of both the Motion to Remand and the Motions to Dismiss. See
Order [30] at 1, 6–9.
3
such, they have not satisfied the requirements of Rule 59(e). Nevertheless, the Court will
examine the additional argument and evidence.
The Nelsons premise their claims on the questions Tatum asked during the EUO. As
noted in the original Order, the Complaint failed to explain which statements were supposedly
actionable. Plaintiffs’ responses to Defendants’ summary judgment motion and their reply in
support of remand offered no additional insight, resting instead on the averments as pleaded. As
such, the Court had little trouble holding that the Complaint failed to state a claim.
Although the Court could have based the dismissal and remand rulings on the
insufficiencies found on the face of the Complaint, it decided to further examine the transcript of
the EUO. Such review was permissible based on Defendants’ alternative motion for summary
judgment and because the averments of the Complaint called for a piercing of the pleadings
regarding the motion to remand. See Smallwood v. Ill. Cent. R.R. Co., 385 F.3d 568, 573 (5th
Cir. 2004). Although Defendants clearly invoked a summary review, the Nelsons passed on the
opportunity to respond with record evidence. After considering the actual questions asked
during the EUO, the Court found nothing but a garden-variety examination and nothing to
support the IIED and false imprisonment claims against Brown, Tatum, and Upshaw.
The Nelsons now point to specific statements during the EUO that they allege form the
basis of their IIED and false imprisonment claims. Pls.’ Mot. to Reconsider Mem. [33] at 13–18.
But these are arguments that could have been made before the Order was entered. The motion
therefore fails to comply with Rule 59(e). And even if the Nelsons had identified these
statements, it would not have changed the result.
4
To begin with, the Court considered the entirety of the transcripts in deciding the
propriety of joining Brown, Tatum, and Upshaw, and found no statements to support the IIED or
false imprisonment claims. Order [30] at 8–9 & n.2. The Court remains of that opinion. And
the statements the Nelsons now highlight in their brief on the Motion to
Reconsider—theoretically the statements they find most troubling—fail to show any actionable
conduct. According to them, Tatum’s questions amount to an intentional tort because he delved
into their finances and probed the possibility that the Nelsons set the fire at their home.
Looking first to the IIED claim, the Nelsons must show conduct “so outrageous in
character, and so extreme in degree, as to go beyond all possible bounds of decency, and to be
regarded as atrocious, and utterly intolerable in a civilized community.” Speed v. Scott, 787 So.
2d 626, 630 (Miss. 2001) (citations omitted). Here, the policy gave Nationwide the right to take
the EUO, and Mississippi law clearly allows inquiry into the very subjects the Nelsons found
objectionable. See Allison v. State Farm Fire & Cas. Co., 543 So. 2d 661, 664 (Miss. 1989)
(explaining that insurers have the right to investigate whether insured committed arson and
holding that “persons claiming under a policy of insurance . . . should be aware that they are
required to respond to all reasonable inquiries and to give all reasonable assistance”); McPhail v.
State Farm Fire & Cas. Co., 992 F.2d 325 (5th Cir. 1993) (interpreting Mississippi law and
holding that “information about the financial condition of an insured is pertinent to an insurance
investigation probing the possibility of arson”). In fact, some courts have held that the failure to
provide this information might void the policy. See Archie v. State Farm Fire and Casualty Co.,
813 F. Supp. 1208 (S.D. Miss. 1992).
5
Nationwide was clearly entitled to investigate the fire loss, especially in light of the fire
department’s arson finding. It is not outrageous or socially intolerable to ask questions allowed
by Mississippi law during a contractually-provided-for EUO the Nelsons agreed to attend.
Moreover, the Nelsons fail to cite any relevant authority suggesting that the Court’s ruling
amounts to an error of law.3
As for the false imprisonment claim, the Nelsons were required to show: “(1) detention
of the plaintiff; and (2) that such detention was unlawful.” Wallace v. Thornton, 672 So. 2d 724,
727 (Miss. 1996). Detention requires proof that the defendant employed “force or violence,” or
that the plaintiff submitted upon “reasonably apprehended force.” Martin v. Santora, 199 So. 2d
63, 65 (Miss. 1967).
There is nothing on the face of the EUO transcripts to suggest that the Nelsons were held
against their will, and they never specifically explained the claim in response to Defendants’
dispostive motion. Now, the Nelsons submit Mr. Nelson’s affidavit in support of the claim. See
Pls.’ Mot. to Reconsider [33] Ex. D, Nelson Aff. But that affidavit could have been produced
before the Court ruled and is not considered new evidence under Rule 59(e).
Even considering the affidavit, it would only weaken the viability of the false
imprisonment claim. According to Calvert Nelson, “Because of the intense subject matter of the
questions and the nature in which they were asked, my wife and I felt if we tried to end the
questioning, we would be arrested by the Jackson Police Department for arson.” Nelson Aff. ¶
3
Continental Casualty Co. v. Garrett is distinguishable, as the holding there turned on the
fact that the alleged conduct took place in the home. 161 So. 753 (1935) (“[W]e are of the
opinion that the issue here is to be disposed of rather under that line of cases which give
particular recognition to actions arising out of violations of the rights of the home.”) (emphasis
added).
6
5. First, the subject matter is sanctioned by Mississippi law. See Allison, 543 So. 2d at 664.
Second, there is no suggestion that Tatum was going to call the police or use any form of force.
Third, the Mississippi Supreme Court has explained that “[t]he circumstances merely that one
considers himself restrained in his person is not sufficient to constitute false imprisonment unless
it is shown that there was a reasonable ground to have believed defendant would resort to force if
plaintiff attempted to assert her right to freedom.” Martin, 199 So. 2d at 65. No such showing
has ever been made.
Mayweather v. Isle of Capri Casino further highlights the frivolity of the Nelsons’ false
imprisonment claims. 996 So. 2d 136 (Miss. Ct. App. 2008). There, a casino security officer
stood in front of the door while the plaintiff was questioned about a potential theft. The Court
found such conduct insufficient to establish a “reasonable apprehension of force” for purposes of
a false imprisonment claim. Id. at 141. The Nelsons claim falls well short of the accusations in
Mayweather.
Finally, the Nelsons argue that the Court erred when it stated that allowing the Nelsons’
suit to go forward as to Brown, Tatum, and Upshaw “would subject every member of the bar to
potential civil liability for merely asking questions in an EUO or perhaps even a deposition,” and
that “[s]uch a ruling would chill the duty to diligently and zealously represent clients.” Pls.’
Mot. to Reconsider [33], at 12 (citing Order [30], at 10). According to the Nelsons, the Court
created a “new form of absolute immunity for lawyers.” Id. at 10. The Nelsons raised this same
argument in their initial briefing, see Pls.’ Resp. in Opp. to Motion to Dismiss [25] at 4–6, and
the Court remains unpersuaded. Nothing in the Court’s Order should be interpreted as
expanding judicial privilege or creating an absolute immunity. The point of the Order remains
7
that the Nelsons have not pleaded conduct that would subject the Defendants to claims for IIED
or false imprisonment. It is certainly possible that an attorney could engage in extreme or
outrageous conduct or use force or violence to detain a witness, but that is not what happened
here. Finding liability on the pleaded facts—i.e., for asking questions permitted by contract and
common law—would create the concerns the Court identified. For these reasons, the Court
declines to reconsider its denial of the Motion to Remand and dismissal of the Nelsons’ claims
against Brown, Tatum, and Upshaw.
B.
Motion for Sanctions
1.
Rule 11 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure
The Nelsons seek reconsideration of the Court’s entry of sanctions against their counsel
pursuant to Rule 11 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure for filing frivolous IIED and false
imprisonment claims. Federal Rule 11 provides that an attorney, by presenting a pleading to the
Court, certifies to the best of his “knowledge, information, and belief, formed after an inquiry
reasonable under the circumstances” that “the claims, defenses, and other legal contentions are
warranted by existing law or by a nonfrivolous argument for extending, modifying, or reversing
existing law or for establishing new law. . . .” Fed. R. Civ. P. 11(b)(2). “If, after notice and a
reasonable opportunity to respond, the court determines that Rule 11(b) has been violated, the
court may impose an appropriate sanction. . . .” Id. 11(c).
Rule 11(c)(2) provides the procedure by which a party moves for sanctions:
(2) Motion for Sanctions. A motion for sanctions must be made
separately from any other motion and must describe the specific conduct
that allegedly violates Rule 11(b). The motion must be served under Rule 5,
but it must not be filed or be presented to the court if the challenged paper,
claim, defense, contention, or denial is withdrawn or appropriately corrected
within 21 days after service or within another time the court sets. If
8
warranted, the court may award to the prevailing party the reasonable
expenses, including attorney's fees, incurred for the motion.
Fed. R. Civ. P. 11(c)(2). Strict compliance with the procedures outlined in Rule 11 is
mandatory. In re Pratt, 524 F.3d 580, 588 (5th Cir. 2008).
The Nelsons argue it was an error of law to order sanctions against their counsel because
Defendants Tatum and Upshaw “failed to follow the timeline of notice under the ‘safe harbor’
provision and failed to file a separate motion for sanctions.” Pls.’ Mot. to Reconsider [33] at 7.
Plaintiffs are correct that, in the Fifth Circuit, Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 11 is strictly
construed and compliance with the procedures set forth in the federal rule is mandatory. In re
Pratt, 524 F.3d at 588 (“[W]e have continually held that compliance with Rule 11 is
mandatory.”) (finding informal notice of sanctions motion via letter does not satisfy Rule 11);
Elliott v. Tilton, 64 F.3d 213, 216 (5th Cir. 1995) (reversing imposition of sanctions per Rule 11
where movant failed to serve motion for sanctions on defendants prior to filing, as required by
Rule 11).
In this case, Defendants’ motion for attorney’s fees was not filed “separately from any
other motion” as required by federal Rule 11, but was instead included in their Motion to
Dismiss, or Alternatively for Summary Judgment. See Defs.’ Notice of Non-Adjudicated
Motions [15] Ex. A. Neither did Defendants serve the Nelsons with a separate motion for
sanctions 21 days prior to filing the motion, as required by federal Rule 11(c). Defendants’
informal letter notice to the Nelsons’ counsel on April 6, 2011 fails to satisfy Rule 11(c). Defs.’
Resp. in Opp. to Mot. to Reconsider [35] Ex. B.; see In re Pratt, 524 F.3d at 588. Thus, the
9
Court erred in sanctioning the Nelsons’ counsel pursuant to federal Rule 11, and that part of the
June 30, 2011, Order is hereby vacated.4
2.
Mississippi Litigation Accountability Act and Rule 11 of the Mississippi
Rules of Civil Procedure
The Court’s citation to federal Rule 11 was error, primarily because Brown, Tatum, and
Upshaw filed their motion in state court and cited Mississippi Rule of Civil Procedure 11 and the
Mississippi Litigation Accountability Act (MLAA) (Miss. Code Ann. § 11-55-1 et seq.), not
federal Rule 11. But vacating the Order for citing federal Rule 11 only takes the Nelsons so far
because a federal court may enter sanctions pursuant to state law where a pleading was originally
filed in state court but removed to federal court. Tompkins v. Cyr, 202 F.3d 770, 787 (5th Cir.
2000); see Brown v. DuPont, No. 3:09-cv-333-TSL-JCS, 2010 WL 436603, at *2–3 (S.D. Miss.
Feb. 2, 2010) (entering sanctions pursuant to the MLAA for frivolous complaint filed in state
court and removed to federal court). Cf. Edwards v. Gen. Motors Corp., 153 F.3d 242, 245 (5th
Cir. 1998) (finding plaintiff could not be sanctioned under federal Rule 11 for filings in state
court). As the Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit stated in Tompkins v. Cyr:
Although we have never explicitly addressed this issue, other federal
courts have applied state sanctions rules to pleadings filed in state court
before removal. We believe that this is appropriate. The federal rules
do not apply to filings in state court, even if the case is later removed to
federal court. If the state pleading rules did not apply, then nothing
would govern the original pleadings in these cases, and a party who
filed in bad faith might escape any penalty. In addition, there is no
concern in these situations that a court will be forced to choose between
two conflicting sets of procedural rules.
202 F.3d at 787 (citations omitted).
4
Plaintiffs never questioned these procedural issues until their motion for reconsideration
and have arguably waived the argument. Regardless, the Order should have cited Rule 11 of the
Mississippi Rules of Civil Procedure.
10
Mississippi Rule 11 states, “If any party files a motion or pleading which, in the opinion
of the court, is frivolous or is filed for the purpose of harassment or delay, the court may order
such a party, or his attorney, or both, to pay to the opposing party or parties the reasonable
expenses incurred by such other parties and by their attorneys, including reasonable attorneys’
fees.” Miss. R. Civ. P. 11(b). Additionally, the MLAA provides:
in any civil action commenced or appealed in any court of record in this state,
the court shall award, as part of its judgment and in addition to any other costs
otherwise assessed, reasonable attorney’s fees and costs against any party or
attorney if the court, upon the motion of any party or on its own motion, finds
that an attorney or party brought an action, or asserted any claim or defense,
that is without substantial justification, or that the action, or any claim or
defense asserted, was interposed for delay or harassment, or if it finds that an
attorney or party unnecessarily expanded the proceedings by other improper
conduct including, but not limited to, abuse of discovery procedures available
under the Mississippi Rules of Civil Procedure.
Miss. Code Ann. § 11-55-5(1). “Without substantial justification,” means the action, claim,
defense or appeal “is frivolous, groundless in fact or in law, or vexatious, as determined by the
court.” Id. § 11-55-3. “Frivolity is defined, for purposes of [the MLAA], just as it is for Rule 11
purposes: a claim is frivolous only when, objectively speaking, the pleader or movant has no hope
of success.” Brown, 2010 WL 436603, at *2 (citing Leaf River Forest Prods., Inc. v. Deakle, 661
So. 2d 188, 197 (Miss. 1995)) (internal quotation marks omitted).
In granting an award of attorney’s fees and costs under the MLAA, the Court must set
forth the reasons for doing so. Miss. Code Ann. § 11-55-7; Leaf River Forest Prods., Inc., 661
So. 2d at 197. The MLAA provides factors for the Court’s consideration in granting sanctions:
(a) The extent to which any effort was made to determine the validity of
any action, claim or defense before it was asserted, and the time remaining
within which the claim or defense could be filed;
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(b) The extent of any effort made after the commencement of an action
to reduce the number of claims being asserted or to dismiss claims that have
been found not to be valid;
(c) The availability of facts to assist in determining the validity of an
action, claim or defense;
(d) Whether or not the action was prosecuted or defended, in whole or
in part, in bad faith or for improper purpose;
(e) Whether or not issues of fact, determinative of the validity of a
party’s claim or defense, were reasonably in conflict;
(f) The extent to which the party prevailed with respect to the amount
of and number of claims or defenses in controversy;
(g) The extent to which any action, claim or defense was asserted by an
attorney or party in a good faith attempt to establish a new theory of law in the
state, which purpose was made known to the court at the time of filing;
(h) The amount or conditions of any offer of judgment or settlement in
relation to the amount or conditions of the ultimate relief granted by the court;
(I) The extent to which a reasonable effort was made to determine prior
to the time of filing of an action or claim that all parties sued or joined were
proper parties owing a legally defined duty to any party or parties asserting the
claim or action;
(j) The extent of any effort made after the commencement of an action
to reduce the number of parties in the action; and
(k) The period of time available to the attorney for the party asserting
any defense before such defense was interposed.
Miss. Code Ann. § 11-55-7.
Here, Defendants Tatum and Upshaw correctly filed their motion for attorney’s fees
pursuant to Mississippi Rule 11 and the MLAA. See State Court Record [1-1] at 33–76 (State
Court Record). Neither the MLAA nor state Rule 11 requires filing a separate motion for
sanctions or a particular notice period prior to filing. After removal, having already answered
in the state court, Defendants were not required to file additional pleadings in federal court. See
Fed. R. Civ. P. 81(c)(2) (“After removal, repleading is unnecessary unless the court orders it.”).
Instead, Defendants filed notice in the federal court of their prior non-adjudicated motions to
dismiss and for attorney’s fees. Defs.’ Notice of Non-Adjudicated Motions [15] & Ex. A. This
was an acceptable procedure at that time, and Defendants now argue that the Court should
12
simply apply the standards Defendants invoked in their motion if the Order is to be altered or
amended.
The Nelsons’ original response to the Defendants’ motion failed to raise any objection to
the procedures Defendants followed. Their Motion to Reconsider appropriately addresses the
inapplicability of federal Rule 11, but the Nelsons declined to reply when Defendants explained
that the Court should apply Mississippi Rule 11 and the MLAA. This was the Nelsons’ second
opportunity to respond to those arguments. Absent any response from Plaintiffs on this point,
the Court finds that it should alter the Order and apply state law as Defendants originally
sought.
Applying the state law, the Court finds sanctions are appropriate. As the Court
originally observed:
[T]here is nothing in the transcripts of the two EUOs suggesting that any force or
violence was used against the Nelsons or that they held any apprehension that
force would be used. Likewise, there was no outrageous conduct. The EUOs
were in every sense garden-variety events that were conducted in a professional
manner. When the Nelsons’ attorneys were forced to defend the claims, they
cited no factually relevant legal authority and offered no explanation as to the
specific aspects of the EUOs that were supposedly actionable. The claims were
an obvious attempt to defeat jurisdiction and were in every way frivolous.
Order [30] at 10. Plaintiffs’ new arguments are likewise frivolous for the reasons stated above.
So sanctions remain appropriate for bringing claims “without substantial justification” or any
hope of success. Miss. Code Ann. §§ 11-55-5, 11-55-3; Miss. R. Civ. P. 11(b).
Considering the relevant factors set forth in the MLAA, § 11-55-7, the Court notes that
sanctions are particularly in order because (1) the facts were available and not reasonably in
dispute, given the transcript of the events that allegedly form the basis of Plaintiffs’ IIED and
false imprisonment claims; (2) Plaintiffs had an improper purpose in bringing the claims against
Brown, Tatum, and Upshaw, i.e. defeating diversity jurisdiction; and (3) Plaintiffs failed to
13
withdraw the frivolous claims after Defendants’ April 6, 2011, letter notifying them of the intent
to seek sanctions and persisted with the claims through the motion to remand. See, e.g., Miss.
Code Ann. § 11-55-7(b)–(e), (j). The other factors are less probative. Therefore, the Court
amends its prior Order to find sanctions against the Nelsons’ counsel pursuant to state law, rather
than federal Rule 11.5
C.
Amount of Sanctions
In its June 30 Order, the Court ordered Tatum and Upshaw to submit documentation of the
fees incurred, failing the parties’ stipulation to an amount. See Order [30] at 10. Defendants
Tatum and Upshaw submitted a supplement containing such documentation, to which the Nelsons
responded. Defs.’ Supplement [31]; Pls.’ Resp. to Order [34]; Defs.’ Reply [36].
Tatum and Upshaw’s motion sought “attorney’s fees and expenses incurred in responding
to the First Amended Complaint.” Defs.’ Motion to Dismiss, or in the Alternative for Summary
Judgment, and for Attorney’s Fees and Expenses [15] Ex. A ¶ 13. In their Response, the Nelsons
decline to challenge the hourly rates suggested by Defendants or any particular line item listed in
their submission. The Nelsons do seek to limit the fees to those incurred post-removal, however,
arguing that federal Rule 11 attorney’s fees cannot be assessed for work that took place while the
case was in state court. Pls.’ Resp. to Order [34] at 2. This argument is half right. Federal Rule
11 sanctions apply only to filings in federal court and are therefore inapplicable to a complaint
5
The Nelsons also argue that sanctions are not warranted in cases of misjoinder, citing
two cases in which this Court found fraudulent joinder but failed to award sanctions against the
plaintiffs. Pls.’ Mot. to Reconsider at 7–9 (citing Addette Dandridge v. Tyson Foods, Inc., No.
3:10-cv-575 (S.D. Miss.), and Ellis v. Wayne Farms, LLC, 3:10-cv-580 (S.D. Miss.)). But the
Addette and Ellis cases cited by Plaintiffs were settled—defendants waived their ability to seek
sanctions in exchange for dismissal with prejudice—and thus inapposite to whether Plaintiffs’
conduct here was sanctionable. See Addette, 3:10-cv-575 at docket entry 25; Ellis, 3:10-cv-580
at docket entry 76.
14
filed in state court and thereafter removed. Edwards, 153 F.3d at 245. But, as noted above, the
sanctions here for the Nelsons’ frivolous complaint should have been imposed under Mississippi
Rule 11 and the MLAA, not federal Rule 11. Tompkins, 202 F.3d at 786 (finding federal court
may apply state sanctions rules to pleadings filed in state court prior to removal); see Defs.’
Motion to Dismiss, or in the Alternative for Summary Judgment, and for Attorney’s Fees and
Expenses [15] Ex. A ¶ 13 (seeking sanctions pursuant to Mississippi Rule 11 and the MLAA).
Thus, because the Court now correctly imposes state-law sanctions for a state-court filing
removed to federal court, the sanctions may include fees incurred prior to removal.
From the invoices attached to Defendants’ supplement [31], the Court notes that Mr.
Mockbee spent 20.9 hours at $180/hour, and his associate spent 31.1 hours at $135/hour
responding to the Nelsons’ First Amended Complaint.6 The Court calculates Mr. Mockbee’s fees
are $3,762.00 and his associate’s fees are $4,198.50, for a total of $7,960.50 in attorney’s fees.
Adding the $24.39 in costs reflected in the invoices, the total attorney’s fees and costs are
$7,984.89.
In their Reply in further support of their fees and expenses, Defendants seek an additional
award of fees incurred responding to the Nelsons’ actions since the Court’s June 30, 2011 Order.
Defs.’ Reply in Support of Supplement to Upshaw, Williams, Biggers & Beckham, LLP and
Patrick Tatum’s Motion for Attorney’s Fees and Expenses [36] at 3–4. Because the Court grants
Plaintiffs’ Motion to Reconsider in part, the Court declines to award attorney’s fees and expenses
relating to the briefing of that motion. Finally, the Court declines to award attorney’s fees for
Defendants’ time expended preparing their statement of attorney’s fees and expenses incurred.
6
Though Plaintiffs failed to object to a $150 hourly rate for Mr. Mockbee’s associates,
the Court uses the rate charged in the invoices—$135 per hour.
15
Therefore, the Court awards a total of $7,984.89 in attorney’s fees and expenses to the
Tatum, and Upshaw Defendants.
IV.
Conclusion
For the foregoing reasons, the Nelsons’ Motion for Reconsideration [32] is granted in part
and denied in part. The Motion is granted in that the Court’s June 30, 2011, Order [30] is hereby
amended to order sanctions against the Plaintiffs’ counsel pursuant to the Mississippi Litigation
Accountability Act and Mississippi Rule of Civil Procedure 11 rather than Federal Rule of Civil
Procedure 11. The Motion is otherwise denied. The Court will enter a judgment of $7,984.89
against Plaintiffs’ counsel for attorney’s fees and expenses incurred by the Tatum, and Upshaw
Defendants.
SO ORDERED AND ADJUDGED this the 6th day of February, 2012.
s/ Daniel P. Jordan III
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
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