Opinion ID: 30998
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: standard of review

Text: This Court usually reviews a grant of summary judgment de novo, applying the same standards as applied by the bankruptcy court. See In re Carney, 258 F.3d 415, 418 (5th Cir. 2001). However, this matter is somewhat unique in that IG argued in its motion for summary judgment that the bankruptcy court should apply the doctrine of judicial estoppel to bar the attorneys’ claims. The bankruptcy court granted the motion, concluding IG was correct that judicial estoppel should apply. Whether to apply the doctrine of judicial estoppel lies soundly within the bankruptcy court’s discretionary power, and, therefore, is reviewed for abuse of discretion. See Coastal, 179 F.3d at 205. Accordingly, while the issue of judicial estoppel was 9 raised in the context of a motion for summary judgment, the bankruptcy court’s application of the doctrine to this matter is reviewed under an abuse of discretion standard.6 A bankruptcy court abuses its discretion if it fails to apply the proper legal standard or bases an award on findings of fact that are clearly erroneous. In re U.S. Golf Corp., 639 F.2d 1197, 1201 (5th Cir. 1981).