Kendell et al v. Peng et al

Filing 38

ORDER denying 35 Motion for Sanctions. Signed by Magistrate Judge Elizabeth Preston Deavers on 3/29/17. (ew)

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF OHIO
EASTERN DIVISION

KELLEE KENDELL, et al.,
Plaintiffs,
Civil Action 2:16-cv-221
Magistrate Judge Elizabeth P. Deavers

v.

LILLY PENG, et al.,
Defendants.
OPINION AND ORDER
This matter is before the Court for consideration of Defendants’ Motion for Sanctions
(ECF No. 35), Plaintiffs’ Response in Opposition (ECF No. 36), and Defendants’ Reply (ECF
No. 37.). For the reasons explained below, Defendants’ Motion is DENIED.
I.
On March 10, 2016, Plaintiffs filed their Complaint, alleging that Defendants violated
their constitutional rights while they were under contract to provide coordination services for
Defendants’ home healthcare business. (ECF No. 1.) Plaintiffs subsequently filed their
Amended Complaint on April 28, 2016, removing one count, but leaving the underlying factual
allegations substantially unchanged. (ECF No. 9.) On August 11, 2016, the Court granted
judgment in favor of Defendants on the pleadings on the grounds that neither the state nor federal
government had a sufficiently close relationship with Defendants such that their private conduct
could be fairly attributed to the state for purposes of liability under 42 U.S.C. § 1983. (ECF No.
34.) Defendants now move for sanctions and attorney’s fees under the Court’s discretionary

power, as provided by 28 U.S.C. § 1927, as well as the Court’s discretion to award reasonable
attorney fees to the prevailing party in a § 1983 case. 28 U.S.C. § 1988.
II.
“[A]lthough access to courts is fundamental right, the ability to file frivolous lawsuits is
not.” Hall v. Callahan, 727 F.3d 450, 456 (6th Cir. 2013) (citing Bill Johnon’s Rests v. NLRB,
461 U.S. 731, 743 (1983)). To that end, the Court enjoys discretion to award attorney’s fees in
cases involving vexatious litigants. 28 U.S.C. § 1927. “This standard is satisfied when an
attorney knows or reasonably should know that a claim pursued is frivolous.” Waeschle v.
Dragovic, 687 F.3d 292, 296 (6th Cir. 2012). “An attorney’s ethical obligation of zealous
advocacy on behalf of his or her client does not amount to carte blanche to burden the federal
courts by pursuing claims that are frivolous on the merits.” Jones v. Cont’l Corp., 789 F.2d
1225, 1229 (6th Cir. 1986). “Accordingly, at least when an attorney knows or reasonably should
know that a claim pursued is frivolous, or that his or her litigation tactics will needlessly obstruct
the litigation of nonfrivolous claims, a trial court does not err by assessing fees attributable to
such actions against the attorney.” Id.
Similarly, Congress enacted 28 U.S.C. § 1988 as an exception to the “American Rule”
that each party in a lawsuit should bear its own fees by allowing courts to award reasonable
attorney’s fees to the prevailing party in a § 1983 case. 28 U.S.C. § 1988; Binta B. ex rel S.A. v.
Gordon, 710 F.3d 608, 635 (6th Cir. 2013). The “prevailing party” is the “one who has been
awarded some relief by the court.” Id. at 620. Attorney’s fees are only to be awarded “when a
party has prevailed on the merits.” Id. “It is important to recall that Congress’s intent in
enacting § 1988 . . . was not to allow plaintiff’s counsel to recover fees for everything.” Id. at
635-36 (citing Hensley v. Eckerhart, 461 U.S. 424, 446 (1983); Farrar v. Hobby, 506 U.S. 103,
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115 (1992) (noting that the purpose of the bill is to aid civil rights not provide windfall relief for
lawyers)).
III.
In examining the merits of the case and the motion for judgment on the pleading, the
Court is not persuaded that the Plaintiffs are vexatious litigators within the meaning of § 1927.
Generally, sanctions under § 1927 are appropriate “[w]hen a litigant abuses the judicial system
by repeatedly filing frivolous lawsuits or motions.” Levy v. Macy's, Inc., 1:13-CV-148, 2014
WL 49188, at *6 (S.D. Ohio Jan. 7, 2014) report and recommendation adopted, C-1-13-148,
2014 WL 897157 (S.D. Ohio Mar. 6, 2014). Here, Plaintiffs did not repeatedly file frivolous
lawsuits or motions rising to an abuse of the judicial system. Similarly, the Court does not find
attorney’s fees are appropriate under § 1988. Upon consideration, the § 1983 claim in this case
was not so meritless on its face to warrant such sanctions. As a result, Defendants’ Motion for
Sanctions is hereby DENIED. (ECF No. 35.)
IT IS SO ORDERED.

Date: March 29, 2017

/s/ Elizabeth A. Preston Deavers
ELIZABETH PRESTON DEAVERS
UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

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