Opinion ID: 76022
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: The District Court's Order From Which the Appeal is Taken

Text: 19 After briefs and a hearing, Judge Middlebrooks issued an Omnibus Order that impacted on all three cases. In case No. 99-8624, Orthopedic Center's suit against MedPartners seeking to compel arbitration, Judge Middlebrooks entered an order compelling arbitration on all claims, denying Orthopedic Center's claim for attorneys' fees for frivolous litigation, and purporting to close the case. But, the order also explicitly notes that Judge Middlebrooks retained jurisdiction to enforce his orders, to confirm, modify, amend, or vacate the Arbitrator's award, and to award attorneys' fees in association with the litigation and arbitration. 20 In case No. 01-8748, the Order dissolved the injunction in MedPartners's first lawsuit, dismissed the complaint, and closed the case. 7 Judge Middlebrooks explicitly retained jurisdiction in case No. 01-8748 only to award costs and attorneys' fees. For case No. 01-8747, MedPartners's suit asserting fraud and breach of contract claims against Orthopedic Center, Judge Middlebrooks stayed that case pending arbitration. 21 MedPartners filed two appeals from Judge Middlebrooks's Omnibus Order. MedPartners appeals in district court case No. 99-8624 (the case originally filed by Orthopedic Center seeking to compel arbitration). This appeal is appeal No. 01-15929. And, MedPartners appeals in district court case No. 01-8748 (the case in which Judge Middlebrooks dissolved the injunction). This appeal is appeal No. 01-16079. Orthopedic Center cross-appealed in both appeals and argues that the district court erred by failing to award attorneys' fees for frivolous litigation under Florida Statute § 57.105.