Vivine Wang v. Bear Stearns & Co., Inc.

MEMORANDUM

Vivine Wang appeals from the district court’s ruling confirming an arbitration award entered in favor of Bear Stearns & Co., Inc. On appeal, Wang challenges (1) both the district court’s interpretation of the Customer Agreement she entered into with Bear Stearns and the court’s determination that Bear Stearns’ claims were arbi-trable, and (2) the district court’s decision to confirm the arbitration award. Finally, Wang challenges the district court’s award of attorney fees and costs incurred by Bear Stearns to confirm the arbitration award. We affirm.

We review the district court’s decision to confirm an arbitration award de novo. New Regency Productions, Inc. v. Nippon Herald Films, Inc., 501 F.3d 1101, 1105 (9th Cir.2007). We also consider the construction and interpretation of a contract term relating to the validity and scope of an arbitration clause, which are questions of law, de novo. Nagrampa v. MailCoups, Inc., 469 F.3d 1257, 1267 (9th Cir.2006) (en banc).

The claim submitted by Bear Stearns in the arbitration proceedings was one to recover unpaid debt. Resolution turned on the terms of the Customer Agreement specifying that Wang was obligated to pay for any…