Opinion ID: 728144
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Attorney's Fees for this Appeal

Text: 32 In his responding brief, Taxel includes a motion for attorney's fees incurred while defending this current appeal, under both § 105(a) and Rule 38. As we have concluded § 105(a) does not authorize appellate fees, we consider only the request made under Rule 38. 33 The 1994 Amendment to Rule 38 permits an award of fees only after a separately filed motion or notice from the court and reasonable opportunity to respond[.] Fed.R.App.P. 38 (1994). Taxel has not filed such a separate motion. A request made in an appellate brief does not satisfy Rule 38. See Gabor v. Frazer, 78 F.3d 459, 459-60 (9th Cir.1996) (denying Rule 38 motion without prejudice, and allowing the requesting party to file a separate fee motion). 34 In this case, we do not deem it appropriate to deny the motion without prejudice and allow Taxel to file a separate motion. Given that the BAP's fee award was erroneous, the State's appeal was clearly not frivolous. Accordingly, because any separately-filed Rule 38 motion would be denied, permitting Taxel to file such a motion would be futile.