Court Opinion

ID: 9441572
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-03 17:54:45.157435+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:28:29.988846
License: Public Domain

MERRITT, Circuit Judge,
concurring.
I agree with the result and much of the reasoning of Judge Clay’s well-written opinion in this case, but I do not concur in the language of footnote 17 suggesting that counsel for both parties have “flouted the rules” and improperly run up the number of hours spent on the case. As a matter of fairness, I would not draw those inferences without knowing the details of *330counsel’s work and charges and without giving counsel an opportunity to explain their actions.
Also, as to footnote 11,1 would point out that the result would be the same whether we apply a state-law standard as a matter of substance or a federal law standard as a matter of procedure.