Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_05-cv-01502/USCOURTS-caed-2_05-cv-01502-12/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 893
Nature of Suit: Environmental Matters
Cause of Action: 05:551 Administrative Procedure Act

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1

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

CALIFORNIANS FOR ALTERNATIVES

TO TOXICS, a non-profit

corporation, et al.,

NO. CIV. S-05-1502 LKK/JFM

Plaintiffs,

v. O R D E R

UNITED STATES FOREST SERVICE,

et al.,

Defendants.

 /

The court is in receipt of defendants’ request for entry of

judgment. On July 3, 2007, this action was dismissed without

prejudice pursuant to both the parties’ stipulation, Fed. R. Civ.

P. 41(a)(1)(ii), and court order, Fed. R. Civ. P. 41(a)(2). On

October 11, 2007, the court awarded attorneys’ fees, which

defendants now seek to appeal.

The clerk of the court does not enter judgment where dismissal

is without prejudice. See Concha v. London, 62 F.3d 1493, 1507

Case 2:05-cv-01502-LKK -JFM Document 61 Filed 12/10/07 Page 1 of 2
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1

 Although the court in Gates noted that final judgment had

been entered in finding that an attorneys’ fees award was

appealable, the more important issue was that the fee award itself

was final.

2

(9th Cir. 1995) (“A voluntary dismissal without prejudice is

ordinarily not a final judgment from which the plaintiff may

appeal.”) (emphasis in original).

In any event, it appears that defendants should be able to

appeal the attorneys’ fees order without the entry of judgment,

because nothing in this case remains to be decided. Cf. Gates v.

Rowland, 39 F.3d 1439, 1450 (9th Cir. 1994) (noting only that

interim attorneys’ fees awards are not appealable1); Haitian

Refugee Ctr. v. Meese, 791 F.2d 1489, 1494 (11th Cir. 1986) (“the

district court’s order awarding attorneys’ fees is appealable”),

vacated on other grounds, 804 F.2d 1573 (11th Cir. 1986).

If defendants disagree, they may file further briefing on the

issue.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

DATED: December 7, 2007.

Case 2:05-cv-01502-LKK -JFM Document 61 Filed 12/10/07 Page 2 of 2