Opinion ID: 3214377
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Effect of Trade Well I

Text: Finally, Trade Well argues that this Court’s decision in Trade Well I requires us to vacate the default judgments. Trade Well contends that had Salem not been erroneously removed from the case, the default judgments would not have been entered. Thus, in Trade Well’s view, our decision to vacate the order to remove Salem also operates to vacate the default orders caused by the district court’s later-reversed removal order. We disagree. At the outset of Trade Well I, we noted that “[t]he only part of this messy case that is before us is Salem’s appeal from the various measures the court took against him.” 778 F.3d at 625. And we specifically stated that “[w]e are also not concerned with any possible appeal by Trade Well contesting the default judgment or the finding of a failure to prosecute.” Id. No. 15-3353 13 There is therefore no basis for reading Trade Well I to have any effect on the district court’s default orders. Moreover, even if we accept the premise of Trade Well’s argument, it is inaccurate to say that Salem’s removal caused Trade Well to default because Trade Well had ample opportunity to secure substitute representation and avoid default.