Opinion ID: 147852
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Review of mandamus factors

Text: In sum, the relevant factors weigh against the grant of mandamus relief. See John B., 531 F.3d at 457. Metro's strongest argument is that the district court's finding that Metro's counsel prejudiced the proceedings is clearly erroneous as a matter of law. But the district court provided an alternative ground for granting a new trial by holding that the weight of the evidence favored the Plaintiffs. And, as discussed above, this ground raises a factual issue that involves evaluating the strength and persuasiveness of all the evidence in the case, not a legal issue that might support mandamus. See id. (noting that a consideration for granting mandamus is whether the district court's order is clearly erroneous as a matter of law  (emphasis added)). The strength of the clearly-erroneous-as-a-matter-of-law factor is thus obviated by this alternative ground. Metro will obviously incur additional costs associated with a second trial. But those costs are not likely to be anywhere near those that it has already incurred to this point. Furthermore, additional costs are a common consequence in every case ordered to be reheard. Costs alone will not justify mandamus. In re Mechem, 880 F.2d 872, 874 (6th Cir.1989) (That an erroneous ruling may impose additional cost does not, however, satisfy the high standard required for mandamus.). And Metro does have other adequate means to obtain the primary relief it desires. After a retrial, should it lose, Metro will be able to argue that a new trial never should have been granted, and it can seek reinstatement of the initial verdict. See Allied Chem., 449 U.S. at 36, 101 S.Ct. 188. Metro is also unable to show that the district court's decision manifests a persistent disregard of the federal rules. See John B., 531 F.3d at 457. Although Metro claims that the court disregarded Rule 59, a final judgment was never entered in this case, and thus the court's grant of a new trial was allowable. Nor does this case present new and important issues of law. Accordingly, except with regard to one issue, we deny Metro's petition for a writ of mandamus. See Allied Chem., 449 U.S. at 36, 101 S.Ct. 188 (A trial court's ordering of a new trial rarely, if ever, will justify the issuance of a writ of mandamus.). This one issue concerns Metro's request that the district court be ordered to rule on the disparate-impact claims that the court has had under advisement since the conclusion of the trial. Because both parties desire a prompt ruling on the disparate-impact claims, and because more than two years have passed since the conclusion of the initial trial in this case, we will grant Metro's request. We therefore direct the district court to rule on the Plaintiffs' disparate-impact claims within 90 days from the filing of this opinion, and to do so prior to any retrial.