In Re: Clearsky Shpg

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit February 2, 2004

Opinion

United States Court of Appeals Fifth Circuit F I L E D December 9, 2003 UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS Charles R. Fulbruge III FIFTH CIRCUIT Clerk _________________

No. 03-30321

(Summary Calendar) _________________

In Re: In the Matter of the Complaint of CLEARSKY SHIPPING CORP as owner and COSCO SHIPPING COMPANY LIMITED, as manager of the M/V Bright Field, for Exoneration from or Limitation of Liability ------------------------- FIREMANS FUND INSURANCE COMPANY, as automobile insurer of Richard Foreman, D Kirk Stirton and J Scott Chotin; ALLSTATE INSURANCE COMPANY, As Automobile insurer of Betty T Brooks; STATE FARM FIRE & CASUALTY COMPANY, As automobile insurer of August A Robin; ALLSTATE INDEMNITY INSURANCE COMPANY; STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY, as automobile insurer of Jerome L Goldman and Robert D Rogers, Sr; ET AL

Claimants - Appellants versus

NEW ORLEANS RIVERWALK ASSOCIATES; BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE PORT OF NEW ORLEANS; ZURICH INSURANCE COMPANY, as the insurer of Hilton Hotels Corporation; ZURICH INSURANCE COMPANY, as the subrogated insurer of the Museum Company Inc; ZURICH INSURANCE COMPANY, as the subrogated insurer of Nine West Group Inc; MASSACHUSETTS BAY INSURANCE COMPANY, as the insurer of Turquoise Gallery Inc, doing business as St. Charles Gallery Inc; HANOVER AMERICAN INSURANCE CO, as the subrogated insurer of Perlis Inc; Perlis Incorporated, doing business as Cajun Clothing Co, Perlis Men's Store & Perls Corporation; HANOVER AMERICAN INSURANCE CO; INTERNATIONAL i RIVERCENTER; HILTON HOTELS CORPORATION; NEW ORLEANS PADDLEWHEELS INC; SUMITOMO CORPORATION; ITOCHU CORPORATION; CARGILL JAPAN LTD

Claimants - Appellees and

LAMBERT & NELSON PLC; INDUSTRIAL RISK MANAGERS; LEGER & MESTAYER; HERMAN HERMAN KATZ & COTLAR; BRUNO & BRUNO

Appellees ______________________________________________________ BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE PORT OF NEW ORLEANS

Plaintiff - Appellee and

LAMBERT & NELSON PLC; INDUSTRIAL RISK MANAGERS; LEGER & MESTAYER; HERMAN HERMAN KATZ & COTLAR; BRUNO & BRUNO

Appellees versus

COSCO (HONG KONG) SHIPPING COMPANY LTD; ET AL

Defendants versus

FIREMANS FUND INSURANCE COMPANY, as automobile insurer of Richard Foreman, D Kirk Stirton and J Scott Chotin; ALLSTATE INSURANCE COMPANY, As Automobile insurer of Betty T Brooks; STATE FARM FIRE & CASUALTY COMPANY, As automobile insurer of August A Robin; ALLSTATE INDEMNITY INSURANCE COMPANY; STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY, as automobile insurer of Jerome L Goldman and Robert D Rogers, Sr; ET AL Appellants ______________________________________________________ QUEEN OF NEW ORLEANS AT THE HILTON JOIN VENTURE Plaintiff - Appellee and

LAMBERT & NELSON PLC; INDUSTRIAL RISK MANAGERS; LEGER & MESTAYER; HERMAN HERMAN KATZ & COTLAR; BRUNO & BRUNO

Appellees versus

COSCO (HONG KONG) SHIPPING COMPANY LTD; ET AL

Defendants versus

-2- Robin; ALLSTATE INDEMNITY INSURANCE COMPANY; STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY, as automobile insurer of Jerome L Goldman and Robert D Rogers, Sr; ET AL Appellants ______________________________________________________ NEW ORLEANS PADDLEWHEELS INC

Plaintiff - Appellee and

LAMBERT & NELSON PLC; INDUSTRIAL RISK MANAGERS; LEGER & MESTAYER; HERMAN HERMAN KATZ & COTLAR; BRUNO & BRUNO

Appellees versus

COSCO (HONG KONG) SHIPPING COMPANY LTD; ET AL

Defendants versus

Appellants ______________________________________________________ COLOR INC, Etc

Plaintiff versus

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE PORT OF NEW ORLEANS; ET AL

Defendants

INTERNATIONAL RIVERCENTER; HILTON HOTEL CORPORATION

Defendants - Appellees and

-3- LAMBERT & NELSON PLC; INDUSTRIAL RISK MANAGERS; LEGER & MESTAYER; HERMAN HERMAN KATZ & COTLAR; BRUNO & BRUNO

Appellees versus

Plaintiff versus

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE PORT OF NEW ORLEANS; ET AL

Defendants

INTERNATIONAL RIVERCENTER Defendants - Appellees and

LAMBERT & NELSON PLC; INDUSTRIAL RISK MANAGERS; LEGER & MESTAYER; HERMAN HERMAN KATZ & COTLAR; BRUNO & BRUNO

Appellees versus

-4- Plaintiff versus

INTERNATIONAL RIVERCENTER INC; ET AL

Defendants

INTERNATIONAL RIVERCENTER INC

Defendants - Appellees and

LAMBERT & NELSON PLC; INDUSTRIAL RISK MANAGERS; LEGER & MESTAYER; HERMAN HERMAN KATZ & COTLAR; BRUNO & BRUNO

Appellees versus

Plaintiffs versus

NEW ORLEANS RIVERWALK ASSOCIATES; ET AL Defendants

INTERATIONAL RIVERCENTER; HILTON HOTELS CORPORATION

Defendants - Appellees and

LAMBERT & NELSON PLC; INDUSTRIAL RISK MANAGERS; LEGER & MESTAYER; HERMAN HERMAN KATZ & COTLAR; BRUNO & BRUNO

-5- Appellees versus

______________________________________________________ QIN WENG, Etc; ET AL

Plaintiffs versus

THE INTERNATIONAL RIVER CENTER; ET AL

Defendants

THE INTERNATIONAL RIVER CENTER; BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE PORT OF NEW ORLEANS

Defendants - Appellees and

LAMBERT & NELSON PLC; INDUSTRIAL RISK MANAGERS; LEGER & MESTAYER; HERMAN HERMAN KATZ & COTLAR; BRUNO & BRUNO

Appellees versus

-6- Plaintiffs versus

NEW ORLEANS RIVERWALK ASSOCIATES; ET AL Defendants

INTERNATIONAL RIVERCENTER; HILTON HOTELS CORPORATION

Defendants - Appellees and

LAMBERT & NELSON PLC; INDUSTRIAL RISK MANAGERS; LEGER & MESTAYER; HERMAN HERMAN KATZ & COTLAR; BRUNO & BRUNO

Appellees versus

Plaintiffs versus

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE PORT OF NEW ORLEANS; ET AL

Defendants

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE PORT OF NEW ORLEANS; THE INTERNATIONAL RIVERCENTER

Defendants - Appellees and

LAMBERT & NELSON PLC; INDUSTRIAL RISK MANAGERS; LEGER & MESTAYER; HERMAN HERMAN KATZ & COTLAR; BRUNO & BRUNO

-7- Appellees versus

Plaintiff versus

THE NEW ORLEANS RIVERWALK ASSOCIATES; ET AL Defendants

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE PORT OF NEW ORLEANS; THE INTERNATIONAL RIVERCENTER; THE HILTON HOTELS CORPORATION

Defendants - Appellees and

LAMBERT & NELSON PLC; INDUSTRIAL RISK MANAGERS; LEGER & MESTAYER; HERMAN HERMAN KATZ & COTLAR; BRUNO & BRUNO

Appellees versus

Appellants ______________________________________________________ CORINA RATCLIFF

Plaintiff

-8- versus

INTERNATIONAL RIVERCENTER INC; ET AL Defendants

INTERNATIONAL RIVERCENTER; BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE PORT OF NEW ORLEANS Defendants - Appellees and

LAMBERT & NELSON PLC; INDUSTRIAL RISK MANAGERS; LEGER & MESTAYER; HERMAN HERMAN KATZ & COTLAR; BRUNO & BRUNO

Appellees versus

Appellants ______________________________________________________ STEAK ESCAPE OF NEW ORLEANS INC; ET AL Plaintiffs versus

NEW ORLEANS RIVERWALK ASSOCIATES; ET AL Defendants INTERNATIONAL RIVERCENTER; BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE PORT OF NEW ORLEANS; HILTON HOTELS CORPORATION

Defendants - Appellees and

LAMBERT & NELSON PLC; INDUSTRIAL RISK MANAGERS; LEGER & MESTAYER; HERMAN HERMAN KATZ & COTLAR; BRUNO & BRUNO

Appellees versus

-9- FIREMANS FUND INSURANCE COMPANY, as automobile insurer of Richard Foreman, D Kirk Stirton and J Scott Chotin; ALLSTATE INSURANCE COMPANY, As Automobile insurer of Betty T Brooks; STATE FARM FIRE & CASUALTY COMPANY, As automobile insurer of August A Robin; STATE INDEMNITY INSURANCE COMPANY; STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY, as automobile insurer of Jerome L Goldman and Robert D Rogers, Sr; ET AL Appellants _______________________________________________________ THE LIMITED INC, Etc; ET AL

Plaintiffs versus

NEW ORLEANS RIVERWALK ASSOCIATES; ET AL Defendants

HILTON HOTELS CORPORATION Defendant - Appellee and

LAMBERT & NELSON PLC; INDUSTRIAL RISK MANAGERS; LEGER & MESTAYER; HERMAN HERMAN KATZ & COTLAR; BRUNO & BRUNO

Appellees versus

Plaintiffs versus

NEW ORLEANS RIVERWALK ASSOCIATES; ET AL Defendants

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE PORT OF NEW ORLEANS; THE INTERNATIONAL

-10- RIVERCENTER; HILTON HOTELS CORPORATION

Defendants - Appellees and

LAMBERT & NELSON PLC; INDUSTRIAL RISK MANAGERS; LEGER & MESTAYER; HERMAN HERMAN KATZ & COTLAR; BRUNO & BRUNO

Appellees versus

FIREMANS FUND INSURANCE COMPANY, as automobile insurer of Richard Foreman, D Kirk Stirton and J Scott Chotin; ALLSTATE INSURANCE COMPANY, As Automobile insurer of Betty T Brooks; STATE FARM FIRE & CASUALTY COMPANY, As automobile insurer of August A Robin; ALLSTATE INDEMNITY INSURANCE COMPANY; STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY, as automobile insurer of Jerome L Goldman and Robert D Rogers, Sr; ET AL Appellants ______________________________________________________ DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS INC, Etc; ET AL Plaintiffs versus

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE PORT OF NEW ORLEANS; ET AL

Defendants THE INTERNATIONAL RIVERCENTER Defendant - Appellee and

LAMBERT & NELSON PLC; INDUSTRIAL RISK MANAGERS; LEGER & MESTAYER; HERMAN HERMAN KATZ & COTLAR; BRUNO & BRUNO

Appellees versus

-11- ______________________________________________________ HEIDI L BAYER; ET AL

Plaintiffs versus

NEW ORLEANS RIVERWALK ASSOCIATES; ET AL Defendants

NEW ORLEANS RIVERWALK ASSOCIATES; BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE PORT OF NEW ORLEANS Defendants and

LAMBERT & NELSON PLC; INDUSTRIAL RISK MANAGERS; LEGER & MESTAYER; HERMAN HERMAN KATZ & COTLAR; BRUNO & BRUNO

Appellees versus

FIREMANS FUND INSURANCE COMPANY, as automobile insurer of Richard Foreman, D Kirk Stirton and J Scott Chotin; ALLSTATE INSURANCE COMPANY, As Automobile insurer of Betty T Brooks; STATE FARM FIRE & CASUALTY COMPANY, As automobile insurer of August A Robin; ALLSTATE INDEMNITY INSURANCE COMPANY; STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY, as automobile insurer of Jerome L Goldman and Robert D Rogers, Sr; ET AL Appellants _______________________________________________________ TIME WARNER ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY LP; ET AL Plaintiffs versus

NEW ORLEANS RIVERWALK ASSOCIATES; ET AL Defendants

NEW ORLEANS RIVERWALK ASSOCIATES; BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE PORT OF NEW ORLEANS Defendants - Appellees and

LAMBERT & NELSON PLC; INDUSTRIAL RISK MANAGERS; LEGER & MESTAYER; HERMAN HERMAN KATZ & COTLAR; BRUNO & BRUNO

-12- Appellees versus

FIREMANS FUND INSURANCE COMPANY, as automobile insurer of Richard Foreman, D Kirk Stirton and J Scott Chotin; ALLSTATE INSURANCE COMPANY, As Automobile insurer of Betty T Brooks; STATE FARM FIRE & CASUALTY COMPANY, As automobile insurer of August A Robin; ALLSTATE INDEMNITY INSURANCE COMPANY; STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY, as automobile insurer of Jerome L Goldman and Robert D Rogers, Sr; ET AL Appellants ______________________________________________________ NEW ORLEANS PADDLEWHEELS INC Plaintiff - Appellee versus

DIXIE WELDING AND MACHINE WORKS INC; ET AL Defendants versus

LAMBERT & NELSON PLC; INDUSTRIAL RISK MANAGERS; LEGER & MESTAYER; HERMAN HERMAN KATZ & COTLAR; BRUNO & BRUNO

Appellees versus

Plaintiffs versus

THE NEW ORLEANS RIVERWALK ASSOCIATES; ET AL Defendants THE NEW ORLEANS RIVERWALK ASSOCIATES; BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE PORT OF NEW ORLEANS Defendants - Appellees

-13- and

LAMBERT & NELSON PLC; INDUSTRIAL RISK MANAGERS; LEGER & MESTAYER; HERMAN HERMAN KATZ & COTLAR; BRUNO & BRUNO

Appellees versus

FIREMANS FUND INSURANCE COMPANY, as automobile insurer of Richard Foreman, D Kirk Stirton and J Scott Chotin; ALLSTATE INSURANCE COMPANY, As Automobile insurer of Betty T Brooks; STATE FARM FIRE & CASUALTY COMPANY, As automobile insurer of August A Robin; ALLSTATE INDEMNITY INSURANCE COMPANY; STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY, as automobile insurer of Jerome L Goldman and Robert D Rogers, Sr; ET AL Appellants ______________________________________________________ MIKE ANDERSON'S SEAFOOD OF RIVERWALK INC Plaintiff versus

NEW ORLEANS RIVERWALK ASSOCIATES; ET AL Defendants NEW ORLEANS RIVERWALK ASSOCIATES; BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE PORT OF NEW ORLEANS Defendants and

LAMBERT & NELSON PLC; INDUSTRIAL RISK MANAGERS; LEGER & MESTAYER; HERMAN HERMAN KATZ & COTLAR; BRUNO & BRUNO

Appellees versus

FIREMANS FUND INSURANCE COMPANY, as automobile insurer of Richard Foreman, D Kirk Stirton and J Scott Chotin; ALLSTATE INSURANCE COMPANY, As Automobile insurer of Betty T Brooks; STATE FARM FIRE CASUALTY COMPANY, As automobile insurer of August A Robin; ALLSTATE INDEMNITY INSURANCE COMPANY; STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY, as automobile insurer of Jerome L Goldman and Robert D Rogers, Sr; ET AL Appellants ______________________________________________________ STATE FARM FIRE AND CASUALTY COMPANY, Etc; ET AL Plaintiff

-14- versus

ONE RIVER PLACE CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION INC; ET AL

Defendants BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE PORT OF NEW ORLEANS; NEW ORLEANS RIVERWALK ASSOCIATES Defendants - Appellees LAMBERT & NELSON PLC; INDUSTRIAL RISK MANAGERS; LEGER & MESTAYER; HERMAN HERMAN KATZ & COTLAR; BRUNO & BRUNO

Appellees versus

FIREMANS FUND INSURANCE COMPANY, as automobile insurer of Richard Foreman, D Kirk Stirton and J Scott Chotin; ALLSTATE INSURANCE COMPANY, As Automobile insurer of Betty T Brooks; STATE FARM FIRE & CASUALTY COMPANY, As automobile insurer of August A Robin; ALLSTATE INDEMNITY INSURANCE COMPANY; STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY, as auto mobile insurer of Jerome L Goldman and Robert D Rogers, Sr; ET AL Appellants ______________________________________________________ ANGELINE AUGUSTINE; ET AL

Plaintiffs versus

NEW ORLEANS RIVERWALK ASSOCIATES; ET AL Defendants NEW ORLEANS RIVERWALK ASSOCIATES; BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE PORT OF NEW ORLEANS Defendants - Appellees and

LAMBERT & NELSON PLC; INDUSTRIAL RISK MANAGERS; LEGER & MESTAYER; HERMAN HERMAN KATZ & COTLAR; BRUNO & BRUNO

Appellees versus

-15- Robin; ALLSTATE INDEMNITY INSURANCE COMPANY; STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY, as automobile insurer of Jerome L Goldman and Robert D Rogers, Sr; ET AL Appellants ______________________________________________________ SPERGEON HOLLY, III; ET AL

Plaintiffs versus

NEW ORLEANS RIVERWALK ASSOCIATES; ET AL Defendants BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE PORT OF NEW ORLEANS

Defendant - Appellee and

LAMBERT & NELSON PLC; INDUSTRIAL RISK MANAGERS; LEGER & MESTAYER; HERMAN HERMAN KATZ & COTLAR; BRUNO & BRUNO

Appellees versus

FIREMANS FUND INSURANCE COMPANY, as automobile insurer of Richard Foreman, D Kirk Stirton and J Scott Chotin; ALLSTATE INSURANCE COMPANY, As Automobile insurer of Betty T Brooks; STATE FARM FIRE & CASUALTY COMPANY, As automobile insurer of August A Robin; ALLSTATE INDEMNITY INSURANCE COMPANY; STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY, as aut omobile insurer of Jerome L Goldman and Robert D Rogers, Sr; ET AL Appellants ______________________________________________________ NEW ORLEANS RIVERWALK ASSOCIATES; ET AL Plaintiffs NEW ORLEANS RIVERWALK ASSOCIATES Plaintiff - Appellee versus

DIXIE WELDING AND MACHINE WORKS INC; ET AL Defendants versus

LAMBERT & NELSON PLC; INDUSTRIAL RISK MANAGERS; LEGER & MESTAYER; HERMAN HERMAN KATZ & COTLAR; BRUNO & BRUNO

-16- Appellees versus

INTERNATIONAL RIVERCENTER; HILTON HOTELS CORPORATION

Plaintiffs - Appellees versus

DIXIE WELDING AND MACHINE WORKS INC; ET AL Defendants versus

LAMBERT & NELSON PLC; INDUSTRIAL RISK MANAGERS; LEGER & MESTAYER; HERMAN HERMAN KATZ & COTLAR; BRUNO & BRUNO

Appellees versus

ONE RIVER PLACE CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION INC; ET AL

-17- Defendants BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE PORT OF NEW ORLEANS

Defendant - Appellee versus

LAMBERT & NELSON PLC; INDUSTRIAL RISK MANAGERS; LEGER & MESTAYER; HERMAN HERMAN KATZ & COTLAR; BRUNO & BRUNO

Appellees versus

THE ROUSE COMPANY OF COMPOANY OF LOUISIANA INC; ET AL

Defendants BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE PORT OF NEW ORLEANS

Defendant - Appellee and

LAMBERT & NELSON PLC; INDUSTRIAL RISK MANAGERS; LEGER & MESTAYER; HERMAN HERMAN KATZ & COTLAR; BRUNO & BRUNO

Appellees versus

-18- AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY, as automo bile insurer of Jerome L Goldman and Robert D Rogers, Sr; ET AL Appellants ______________________________________________________ LESLIE DOMINICK, SR; ET AL

Plaintiffs versus

NEW ORLEANS RIVERWALK ASSOCIATION LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

Defendant - Appellee

and

LAMBERT & NELSON PLC; INDUSTRIAL RISK MANAGERS; LEGER & MESTAYER; HERMAN HERMAN KATZ & COTLAR; BRUNO & BRUNO

Appellees versus

Plaintiffs versus

NEW ORLEANS RIVERWALK LIMITED PARTNERSHIP; ET AL Defendants NEW ORLEANS RIVERWALK ASSOCIATES Defendant - Appellee and

LAMBERT & NELSON PLC; INDUSTRIAL RISK MANAGERS; LEGER & MESTAYER; HERMAN HERMAN KATZ & COTLAR; BRUNO & BRUNO

-19- Appellees versus

FIREMANS FUND INSURANCE COMPANY, as automobile insurer of Richard Foreman, D Kirk Stirton and J Scott Chotin; ALLSTATE INSURANCE COMPANY, As Automobile insurer of Betty T Brooks; STATE FARM FIRE CASUALTY COMPANY, As automobile insurer of August A Robin; ALLSTATE INDEMNITY INSURANCE COMPANY; STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY, as automobile insurer of Jerome L Goldman and Robert D Rogers, Sr; ET AL Appellants ______________________________________________________ JOSEPH JONES, SR

Plaintiff versus

NEW ORLEANS PADDLEWHEELS INC

Defendant - Appellee and

LAMBERT & NELSON PLC; INDUSTRIAL RISK MANAGERS; LEGER & MESTAYER; HERMAN HERMAN KATZ & COTLAR; BRUNO & BRUNO

Appellees versus

Plaintiffs versus

FLAMINGO CASINO NEW ORLEANS, Etc; ET AL Defendants

-20- NEW ORLEANS PADDLEWHEELS INC Defendant - Appellee and

LAMBERT & NELSON PLC; INDUSTRIAL RISK MANAGERS; LEGER & MESTAYER; HERMAN HERMAN KATZ & COTLAR; BRUNO & BRUNO

Appellees versus

Appeal from the United States District Court For the Eastern District of Louisiana USDC No. 97-CV-1343

Before BARKSDALE, EMILIO M. GARZA, and DENNIS, Circuit Judges.

PER CURIAM:*

This case arises out of the allision of the M/V BRIGHT FIELD with the New Orleans

Riverwalk in December 1996. Over 1500 personal injury and property damage claims were filed

against the vessel interests. The vessel interests, in turn, filed a limitation of liability action seeking

exoneration from or limitation of liability in the district court. The district court consolidated the

various actions arising from the allision, stayed them pending resolution of the limitation of liability

* Pursuant to 5TH CIR. R. 47.5, the court has determined that this opinion should not be published and is not precedent except under the limited circumstances set forth in 5TH CIR. R. 47.5.4.

-21- action and appointed lead counsel. The district court subsequently appointed the appellants

(“Attorneys”) as co-lead counsel to protect the interests of the property claimants. The district judge

then established a compensation plan to reimburse attorneys who performed for the common benefit.

The plan required each settling party to contribute 4% of its individual settlement into an interest-

bearing account (“the fund”) for the common benefit, to be paid from the individual party’s attorney’s

fee.

After settling the claims of the property claimants, leaving only the perso nal injury claims

outstanding, the Attorneys moved the district court to be excused from this requirement. The district

judge denied the motion, concluding that although the Attorneys’ work benefitted the common good,

it would be more equitable to require payment by all claimants, and settle the fund at the conclusion

of litigation, rather than in a piecemeal fashion. The district court awarded common benefit costs but

deferred consideration of common benefit attorneys fees claims until the conclusion of litigation. The

district court also denied the Attorneys’ motion for exoneration and return of their contributions to

the fund. The Attorneys appeal the denial of this motion, claiming that the fund is inequitable.

This Court has jurisdiction to hear appeals of interlocutory orders in the limited circumstances

found in

28 U.S.C. § 1292

. O’Donnell v. Latham,

525 F.2d 650, 652

(5th Cir. 1976). The Attorneys

assert that jurisdiction is proper under

28 U.S.C. § 1292

(a)(3), which allows appeals of

“[i]nterlocutory decrees of such district court or the judges thereof determining the rights and

liabilities of the parties to admiralty cases in which appeals from final decrees are allowed.”

28 U.S.C. § 1292

(a)(3). Courts construe this provision narrowly. Treasure Salvors v. Unidentified Wrecked

and Abandoned Sailing Vessel,

640 F.2d 560, 564

(5th Cir. 1981). Even if an order has important

procedural consequences, it is not appealable if it does not determine the rights or liabilities of the

-22- parties. In Re Ingram Towing Co.

59 F.3d 513, 517

(5th Cir. 1995).

The denial of the motion for exoneration and return of the Attorneys’ contributions to the

fund does not determine their rights or liabilities. It does not determine whether the Attorneys have

a substantive right to the money. The district court will determine the Attorneys’ claim to the funds

at the conclusion of the litigation. If the Attorneys are not justly compensated they can appeal the

distribution at that time. Accordingly, because the rights or liabilities of the parties were not

determined by the denial of this motion, this Court does not have jurisdiction to hear this interlocutory

appeal. It is hereby DISMISSED for lack of jurisdiction.

-23-

Reference

Status: Unpublished