Opinion ID: 3009566
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Post-Judgment Proceedings

Text: On June 23, 1992, Township sent a letter to the court, stating that the order was unclear because it did not indicate whether it was with or without prejudice and it did not specify both defendants. Township also stated that, if the dismissal was without prejudice, it would move to file an amended complaint. It appears that Township intended the letter as a motion to amend the district court order pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 59(e). On July 7, 1992, prior to receiving a response from the court, Township filed its amended complaint. On July 8, 1992, Township filed a notice of appeal. On July 9, 1992, the district court denied Township's motion to file an amended complaint. The order did not address the Rule 59(e) motion. By order entered October 13, 1992, we dismissed Township's July 8, 1992, appeal for lack of jurisdiction. Township subsequently filed a petition for rehearing in this Court and a motion to determine the Rule 59(e) motion in the district court. Insurers filed a response to the district court motion, indicating that the petition for rehearing divested the district court of jurisdiction. Insurers also filed a motion for sanctions pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 11 stating that it incurred legal fees of $8,800 responding to the unnecessary district court motion. The district court dismissed Township's motion to determine the Rule 59(e) motion for lack of jurisdiction. On November 30, 1992, we granted Township's request for panel rehearing and issued an opinion affirming and clarifying our earlier decision dismissing Township's appeal for lack of jurisdiction. We held that the appeal was premature because Township's June 23, 1992, letter to the district court was a Rule 59(e) motion that tolled the time for appeal until thirty days after the district court disposed of the motion. Fed. R. App. P. 4(a)(4). On December 2, 1992, Township renewed its motion to determine the Rule 59(e) motion in the district court. By order entered January 14, 1993, the district court denied Township's motion. On the same day, the court entered a separate order, granting Insurers' motion for Rule 11 sanctions. The court awarded Insurers $2000. Township's timely appeals followed.