Opinion ID: 874557
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Did the District Court Err in Denying LU Ranching's Request for an Award of Attorney Fees?

Text: Both LU Ranching and Joyce Livestock sought an award of attorney fees pursuant to Idaho Code § 12-121 and 28 U.S.C. § 2412(d). The district court denied both of their requests for the same reasons. With respect to Idaho Code § 12-121, it found that the United States had not pursued or defended the matter frivolously, unreasonably, or without foundation. We affirmed the district court in the Joyce Livestock case, and for the same reasons we affirm the district court in this case. In both cases the district court also denied LU Ranching's and Joyce Livestock's requests for attorney fees pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2412(d) because the positions of the United States were substantially justified. In Joyce Livestock we affirmed the district court's denial on the ground that the statute does not authorize state courts to award attorney fees against the United States. We likewise affirm the denial in this case on the same basis.