Opinion ID: 797788
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: standard of review

Text: 12 This Court first must address DSC's argument that the appeal is moot based on O'Brien & Gere's settlement with DSC. Generally, appellate courts review the issue of mootness de novo. See In re GWI PCS 1, Inc., 230 F.3d 788, 800 (5th Cir.2000); In re Western Pac. Airlines, Inc., 181 F.3d 1191, 1194 (10th Cir.1999); In re Filtercorp, Inc., 163 F.3d 570, 576 (9th Cir.1998). 13 Dismissal of a bankruptcy case is reviewed for abuse of discretion. In re Eastown Auto Co., 215 B.R. 960, 963 (B.A.P. 6th Cir.1998). A bankruptcy court abuses its discretion when it relies upon clearly erroneous findings of fact or when it improperly applies the law or uses an erroneous legal standard. Id. The findings of a bankruptcy court which support dismissal of the bankruptcy case are factual determinations which are reviewed under the clearly erroneous standard. Fed. R.Bank.P. 8013. A finding of fact is clearly erroneous when although there is evidence to support it, the reviewing court on the entire evidence is left with the definite and firm conviction that a mistake has been committed. Anderson v. City of Bessemer City, N.C., 470 U.S. 564, 573, 105 S.Ct. 1504, 84 L.Ed.2d 518 (1985); United States v. United States Gypsum Co., 333 U.S. 364, 68 S.Ct. 525, 92 L.Ed. 746 (1948). Conclusions of law are reviewed de novo. In re Isaacman, 26 F.3d 629, 631 (6th Cir.1994). 14 On appeal of a bankruptcy decision from a district court, the appellate court employs the same standards, evaluating the bankruptcy court's decision directly, without being bound by the district court's legal determinations. In re Lowenbraun, 453 F.3d 314, 319 (6th Cir.2006); In re M.J. Waterman & Associates, Inc., 227 F.3d 604, 607 (6th Cir.2000); In re Charfoos, 979 F.2d 390, 392 (6th Cir.1992). 15