Document: 527 U.S. 198119 S.Ct. 1915144 L.Ed.2d 184 NOTICE: This opinion is subject to formal revision before publication in the preliminary print of United States Reports. Readers are requested notify Reporter Decisions, Supreme Court States, Washington, D. C. 20543, any typographical or other errors, order that corrections may be made goes press.CUNNINGHAMv.HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO No. 98-727. SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES Argued April 19, 1999 Decided June 14, Syllabus When petitioner, an attorney representing a plaintiff, failed comply with certain discovery orders, Magistrate Judge granted respondent's motion for sanctions against petitioner under Federal Rule Civil Procedure 37(a)(4). The District affirmed and also disqualified as counsel. Although proceedings were ongoing, immediately appealed affirming award. Because federal appellate court jurisdiction ordinarily limited appeals from "final decisions district courts," 28 U.S.C. § 1291 Sixth Circuit dismissed lack jurisdiction. It held was not appealable collateral doctrine, which provides orders appealed, notwithstanding absence final judgment, but only when they conclusive, resolve important questions separate merits, effectively unreviewable on appeal judgment underlying action, e.g., Swint v. Chambers County Comm'n, 514 35, 42. found these conditions unsatisfied because issues involved petitioner's completely merits. Regarding disqualification, nonparticipating attorney, like participating must await disposition case filing appeal. avoided deciding whether absent immediate appeal, saw no reason why, after case, sanctioned should unable order. Held: An imposing pursuant 37(a)(4) decision" §1291, even where longer represents party case. 37 sanction imposed would considered it neither ended litigation nor left execute its see, Midland Asphalt Corp. 489 794, 798, this has interpreted §1291 permit over meet doctrine. Respondent conceded so at least one those presumed have been satisfied. Appellate review 37(a) order, however, cannot remain See, Van Cauwenberghe Biard, 486 517, 521-522. Here, some based fact provided partial responses objections defendants' requests. To evaluate appropriate, assess completeness her responses. Such inquiry differ marginally into Petitioner's argument suffers two flaws. First, ignores identity interests between client. effective congruence counsels treating attorneys nonparties, since assume ethical obligation serve their clients' might personal interest seeking vindication See Richardson&nbhyph;Merrell Inc. Koller, 472 424, 434-435. Second, unlike contempt lacks prospective effect designed compel compliance. undermine very purposes 37(a), protect courts opposing parties delaying harassing tactics during discovery, trial judges' discretion structure most manner. Finally, sanction's appealability turn attorney's continued participation, such rule could easily administered abuse. sometimes impose hardship solutions than expansive interpretation §1291's requirement available. Pp. 4-12. 144 F.3d 418, affirmed. CERTIORARI TO APPEALSFOR SIXTH CIRCUIT Thomas, J., delivered unanimous Court. Kennedy, filed concurring opinion. Opinion Justice Thomas 1 courts." 1291. presents question decision. We hold not, where, here, 2 * Petitioner, represented Darwin Lee Starcher civil rights suit respondent defendants. brought his son, Casey, committed suicide while inmate Hamilton Center.1 theory original complaint defendants willfully ignored duty care Casey despite known history attempts. 3 A oversaw discovery. On May 29, 1996, served request interrogatories documents; due within 30 days service. Fed. Rules Civ. Proc. 33(b)(3), 34(b). deadline, passed without ordered plaintiff "by 4:00 p.m. July 12, 1996 make full complete responses" requests documents further four witnesses-Rex Smith, Roxanne Dieffenbach, individual defendants-be deposed 25, 1996. Correctional Medical Systems, Inc., C1-95-815 (SD Ohio, 11, 1996), p. 2. 4 Petitioner heed Judge's commands. She did produce documents, gave incomplete several interrogatories, objected others. Flouting she noticed deposition Rex Smith 22, then refused withdraw notice reminders And though had specified if complied "full complete" responses, appearance. motions petitioner. 5 At 19 hearing, sanctions. In subsequent he violated described conduct "egregious." App. Pet. Cert. 9a. Relying 37(a)(4), pay treasurer $1,494, costs fees incurred by Prosecuting Attorney counsel defendant.2 He took specify, hearing never court. 6 noted matter "ha[d] already consumed inordinate amount Court's time" Magistrate's job overseeing "task assum[ing] qualities time occupation." 10a. "[t]he err concluding appropriate" "the award contrary law." Id., 11a. disqualify material witness 7 Appeals Circuit. Appeals, dissent, 418 (1998). doctrine "are - action." 42 (1995) (citing Cohen Beneficial Industrial Loan Corp., 337 541, 546 (1949)). Circuit's view, satisfied "completely separate" F.3d., 424. As counsel, "a non-participating wait until appeal." 425. "no resolution sanctions." Ibid. 8 Courts disagree §1291. Compare, Eastern Maico Distributors, Maico-Fahrzeugfabrik, G.m.b.h., 658 F.2d 944, 946-951 (CA3 1981) (order appealable), Telluride Management Solutions, Investment Group, 55 463, 465 (CA9 1995) appealable). writ certiorari, question, 525 --- (1999), now affirm.3 II 9 Section Judicial Code generally vests decisions" courts. descends Judiciary Act 1789 First Congress established principle `final judgments decrees' reviewed 798 (1989) (quoting Stat. 84); see Crick, Final Judgment Basis Appeal, 41 Yale L. J. 539, 548-551 (1932) (discussing States). accord historical understanding, we repeatedly mean will lie entered Quackenbush Allstate Ins. Co., 517 706, 712 (1996); Digital Equipment Desktop Direct, 511 863, 867 (1994); Richardson-Merrell 430 (1985). explained Firestone Tire & Rubber Co. Risjord, 449 368 (1981), serves salutary purposes: 10 "It emphasizes deference owe judge initially called upon decide many law occur course trial. Permitting piecemeal independence judge, well special role plays our judicial system. addition, accordance sensible policy avoiding obstruction just claims come permitting harassment cost succession various rulings give rise, initiation entry judgment. purpose promoting efficient administration." 374 (citations internal quotation marks omitted). 11 Consistent purposes, decision final, ordinarily, unless " `ends merits leaves nothing do judgment.' 521-522 (1988) Catlin 324 229, 233 (1945)). 12 Thus, supra, 798; Richardson-Merrell, 430. However, term small category terminate litigation. E.g., Quackenbush, 711-715; Puerto Rico Aqueduct Sewer Authority Metcalf Eddy, 506 139, 142-147 (1993); Mitchell Forsyth, 511, 524-530 (1985); Cohen, U.S., 545-547. "That includes Swint, 42.4 13 Brief Opposition doctrine's think, can Cauwenberghe, 527-530; Coopers Lybrand Livesay, 437 469 (1978). example, denial dismiss ground forum non conveniens reasoned consideration factors relative ease access sources proof" availability witnesses" required "scrutinize substance dispute what proof required, determine pieces evidence cited critical, relevant, plaintiff's cause action potential defenses 528. Similarly, Lybrand, determination maintained class decision, noting enmeshed legal factual aspects 469. 14 Much issue often inextricably intertwined action. evaluation appropriateness require reviewing inquire importance information sought adequacy truthfulness response. E. Hoar, Sara 882 682, 687 (CA2 1989) (adequacy responses); Outley New York, 837 587, 590-591 1988) (importance answers interrogatories); Evanson Union Oil Company Cal., 619 72, 74 (Temp. Emerg. Ct. 1980) (truthfulness responses). Some 37(a)(3) ("For subdivision evasive disclosure, answer, response treated failure disclose, respond"). application Perhaps every consistently eschewed case-by-case approach sufficiently collateral. 868; 439. 15 Even divorced issue, requires support, relies line holding who it. Karcher May, 484 77 (1987). posits witnesses disobey argues differently. 16 Unlike witnesses, whose substantially parties', interests. Evans Jeff D., 475 717, 728 (1986). remains disqualifying 429-440; Flanagan 259, 263-269 (1984) criminal §1291). "[a]n misconduct pursuing need coincide professional ethics, entirely client's interest." 435 ABA Model Professional Conduct 1.7(b), 2.1 (1985)). same force alone. re Coordinated Pretrial Proceedings Petroleum Products Antitrust Litigation, 747 1303, 1305 1984) (opinion J.). clients nonparties Cf. Catholic Conference Abortion Rights Mobilization, 487 78 (1988). 17 overlooks significant differences finding "Civil contemnor court." Willy Coastal 503 131, 139 (1992). contrast, Adams captured essential distinction types 18 "is simply deter delay, conduct. non-party's resisting usually parties' delay. Before reached, non-party either surrendered materials suffered incarceration steadily mounting fines If unwarranted resolved, injury possible repair. Under similar situation exists. objective prevention delay litigants caused groundless motions. large deferral sanction. meantime surrender suffer undue coercion." F.2d, 949-950 (citation footnote process.5 Immediate They choose abusive conduct, avoid delays proceedings. Not ignore owed judges charged managing process, 374, forestall each new rise result sorts concomitant prevent. 20 finally that, considerations apply Like Circuit, think participation. administered. For unclear precisely representation terminates, likely arise 30-day period begin run 4. abuse strategically terminated trigger right view While recognize setting monitor progress work ended, efficiency limiting far outweigh nominal monitoring borne attorneys. reasons, participation does affect "final" 21 candidly attorney. Should hardships deemed desirability restricting decisions," amend provide explicitly orders. 1292(a)(1)-(3). Recent amendments authorized prescribe rules providing §§1292(e), 2072(c), "Congress' designation rulemaking process way define refine ruling `final' interlocutory warrants Judiciary's respect." 48 (footnote particular reduce reserving end sanction, how great impose, collection. 22 23 foregoing conclude and, therefore, affirm Appeals. 24 ordered. NOTES: died sometime initiated suit, Casey's sister became administrator estate. $2,432 Those later settlement agreement rather prospectively. declined question. Most directed appealable. 468-469 course, nevertheless clear automatically become merely someone defendant. 434-435 (1985) (rejecting, outside counsel). contempt, 76 (1988); Ryan, 402 530, 533-534 (1971); Cobbledick 309 323, 327-330 (1940); Webster Coal Coke Cassatt, 207 181, 186-187 (1907); Alexander 201 117, 121 (1906). 1970, prerequisites redesigned "to encourage more alert abuses occurring process." Advisory Committee's Notes U.S.C., 748. court, granting sanctions, find losing acted substantial justification. time, rarely exercised authority W. Glaser, Discovery Adversary System 154 (1968). amended retained justification requirement, placement changed compel, "shall" party's "substantially justified." change signaled shift presumption about abuses. Rules: Effects 1970 Amendments, Colum. Soc. Probs. 623, 642 (1972) ("The Committee reversed awarding expenses wherever applicable"). 25 concurring. 26 comes docket, split Circuits jurisdictional there division propriety Cases involving all too implicate allegations true, bring disrepute. Delays source widespread injustice; risk compounding problem reasons suggested Trial capacity ensure prompt compliance especially attempt gain tactical advantage. 27 noted, remedy declines stay enforcement exceptional itself injustice, petition mandamus abused issuing denying stay. person litigation, 1305-1306 1984). (1988), nonparty witness, said: "The adjudication questioned. us, involves more. I join

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