Document: 535 U.S. 229 SAO PAULO STATE OF THE FEDERATIVE REPUBLIC BRAZILv.AMERICAN TOBACCO CO., INC., ET AL. No. 01-835. Supreme Court of the United States. Decided April 1, 2002. ON PETITION FOR WRIT CERTIORARI TO UNITED STATES COURT APPEALS FIFTH CIRCUIT Respondents moved District Judge in this tobacco-products liability case to recuse himself under 28 U. S. C. § 455(a) because, before his appointment bench, name appeared on a motion file an amicus brief by Louisiana Trial Lawyers Association (LTLA) similar Gilboy suit against some same defendants. As he had done companion case, Republic Panama I, judge refused disqualify grounds that was erroneously listed as LTLA president when no longer held post, and took part preparation or approval brief. In found it unsurprising unaware because affixed its president's all motions briefs. The Fifth Circuit reversed, citing prior decision reversing judge's order denying recusal I. Held: Circuit's is inconsistent with Liljeberg v. Health Services Acquisition Corp., 486 847, which stated requires judicial "if reasonable person, knowing circumstances, would expect have actual knowledge" interest bias id., at 861 (internal quotation marks omitted emphasis added). considered what person believe without added mistakenly knowledge pro forma separate controversy. whether impartiality might reasonably be questioned should not been made disregard facts only vaguely aware When those are taken into account, self-evident any bias. Certiorari granted; 250 F. 3d 315, reversed remanded. PER CURIAM. 1 Section (1994 ed.) provides "shall proceeding questioned." Appeals for required disqualification whose erroneously, American Tobacco Co., 315 (2001) (per curiam) (Republic II). We grant writ certiorari reverse. 2 Petitioner, Sao Paulo State, brought respondent tobacco companies state court. It alleged respondents conspired conceal health risks smoking, thereby preventing from adopting policies reduced smoking citizens. seeks compensation costs treating their smoking-related problems. removed States Eastern assigned Carl J. Barbier, who presided over 98-3279, 1999 WL 350030 (ED La., May 28, 1999) I), vacated remanded, 217 343 (CA5 2000). filed seeking Barbier's involvement, respondents. 3 Almost nine years present commenced, curiae 582 So. 2d 1263 (La. 1991). submitted (LTLA), Barbier association's president, position retired about six months earlier. also correctly member LTLA's committee approved Michael St. Martin, represents petitioner us. itself — did list either Mr. Martin supported plaintiff's claim cigarettes addictive cause cancer, defendants failed warn consumers these dangers. Brief Amicus Curiae 90-C-2686 Sup. Ct.), App. Opposition 9a; Gilboy, supra, 1266. 4 argued association created "appearance partiality" requiring 455(a). 3. disagreed. Adopting reasons error Minute Entry Civ. Action Nos. 00-0922, 98-3279 26, 2000), Pet. Cert. 43a; Tr. Proceeding Motion Recusal pp. 21, 37-40 (Feb. 3, 1999), 48a-51a (Tr. Proceeding). Indeed, previously it, briefs, despite fact absolutely role Status Conf. 7-8 (Dec. 1998), 53a Conf.); 37-40, 49a-51a. noted I never practiced law other lawyer motion, personal disputed respect issues raised petitioner's suit, involved tobacco-related "one way another my whole legal career." 9, 54a. See 39-40, 50a-51a. 5 said: 6 "The asserted allegations ones may lead doubt impartiality. Also, filing attorney currently representing Panama. trial assertions participate directly writing researching do dissipate doubts probably court's acknowledge close recusal." 3d, 347. 7 Parker concurred, agreeing court bound but arguing "erroneous basis public statements becoming ...." II, 318. Rehearing en banc denied dissent judges, below amounts "issue recusal" rule, whenever has pre-judicial position. 265 299, 306 (joint Wiener Parker, JJ.). 8 need consider argument advanced dissenting since easily disposed grounds. 847 (1988), case. Id., reached conclusion (or giving due weight fact) Although indeed leader time (he executive committee), brief; indeed, "vaguely aware" 8, "impartiality questioned" facts; they account we think 9 Accordingly, petition certiorari, reverse judgment Appeals, remand proceedings consistent opinion. 10 so ordered.

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