In re: Blasingame

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The bankruptcy court imposed sanctions against attorneys stemming from their representation of Debtors in an adversary proceeding in which a creditor and the Trustee sought denial of discharge. The attorney filed notice of appeal regarding the July 16 sanctions order on July 30. On August 1, the bankruptcy court entered an Order Setting Amount of Additional Sanctions. On August 5, the bankruptcy court amended its August 1, order and imposed additional sanctions under 28 U.S.C. 1927, covering attorney fees and expenses incurred by the Trustee and creditor in the adversary proceeding. An August 27 motion to dismiss asserted that the July 16 order was not final and that cause did not exist to allow appeal from an interlocutory order. A September 8 amended motion for leave to appeal and corrected notice of appeal indicated an appeal of all three sanctions orders. In response, a motion to strike asserted failure to timely perfect appeal from the August 1 or August 5 orders. The Sixth Circuit Bankruptcy Appellate panel denied the motions to dismiss and to strike, holding that it had jurisdiction because the amount of sanctions was set forth in a final order. Notice of appeal was timely filed. Resolution of the sanctions issue will have no discernable impact on the pending discharge issue. View "In re: Blasingame" on Justia Law