Opinion ID: 56723
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: standard of review

Text: The parties dispute what standard of review we apply in reviewing summary judgment in a FOIA claim. The Sharkeys argue that we should apply de novo review, as we typically do on appeals from summary judgment. Times Publ’g Co. v. U.S. Dep’t of Commerce, 236 F.3d 1286, 1288 n.1 (11th Cir. 2001). Defendants, on the other hand, argue that assessing the applicability of Exemption 4 involves factual determinations, and therefore, we should review only for clear error. Miscavige v. IRS, 2 F.3d 366, 367 (11th Cir. 1993). Because we determine that summary judgment should be affirmed under either standard, we need not resolve this dispute. See Marecek v. BellSouth Servs., Inc., 49 F.3d 702, 707 (11th Cir. 1995) (declining to decide which standard of review applies where the parties dispute the applicable standard and the district court’s opinion can be affirmed under either). We review denial of a discovery motion under Rule 56(f) for abuse of discretion. Jackson v. Cintas Corp., 425 F.3d 1313, 1316 (11th Cir. 2005). 6