Opinion ID: 156673
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Scope of Award

Text: 33 Plaintiff argues that the November 18 minute order issued by the magistrate limited any potential attorney's fees award to the time involved in attending the aborted deposition and did not extend to fees related to the motions for protective orders. Addressing this argument below, the magistrate stated that it was not the Court's intention to impose such a limitation. We defer to the magistrate's interpretation of his own words. At any rate, a plain reading of the November 18 order reveals no limitation. While the order does note that the court would consider a Rule 37 motion relating to defendants' appearance for plaintiff's no-show deposition, it is silent as to any other possible fee awards. Thus, the district court did not abuse its discretion by awarding attorney's fees incurred for preparing and responding to motions for protective orders, which were directly related to plaintiff's failure to cooperate in discovery.