Opinion ID: 781205
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Request for Attorneys' Fees and Double Costs

Text: 28 In the answering brief, the city defendants request attorneys' fees and double costs pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1912 and Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 38. We have discretion to impose damages against litigants as a sanction for bringing a frivolous appeal. Maisano v. United States, 908 F.2d 408, 411 (9th Cir. 1990). An appeal is frivolous if the results are obvious, or the arguments of error are wholly without merit. Id. [T]he decision to appeal should be a considered one, ... not a knee-jerk reaction to every unfavorable ruling. Glanzman v. Uniroyal, Inc., 892 F.2d 58, 61 (9th Cir.1989) (quoting DeWitt v. Western Pac. R.R. Co., 719 F.2d 1448, 1451 (9th Cir. 1983)) (internal quotation marks removed). 29 An award of attorneys' fees and double costs under Rule 38 for filing a frivolous appeal, however, may be made only after a separately filed motion or notice from the court and reasonable opportunity to respond. Fed. R.App. P. 38; see also Gabor v. Frazer, 78 F.3d 459, 459-60 (9th Cir.1996) (request for Rule 38 sanctions in party's brief does not provide sufficient notice to opposing party). 30 Accordingly, within 14 days after this amended opinion is filed, the debtors shall show cause in writing: (1) why the court should not award attorneys' fees and double costs to the city defendants under Rule 38 because the debtors' appeal is frivolous — the result is obvious, and the arguments of error are wholly without merit; and (2) why the award of attorneys' fees and double costs should not be imposed jointly and severally against the debtors and their attorney, Shane Kramer, Esq. See Int'l Union of Bricklayers Local 20 v. Martin Jaska, Inc., 752 F.2d 1401, 1407 & n. 8 (9th Cir.1985) ([w]hen a frivolous appeal is taken, [the court has] the inherent power to impose sanctions upon the appellant and his counsel jointly and severally, since attorney and client are in the best position between them to determine who caused the appeal to be taken). The city defendants may file a reply within 14 days after service of the debtors' response. III 31 We affirm the BAP's dismissal of all federal claims. The city defendants' attorneys' fees and double costs will be addressed by separate order upon receipt of the debtors' response and the city defendants' reply, if any.