Gonzales v. Texaco Inc.

MEMORANDUM **

In these consolidated appeals, Appellants Terry Collingsworth and Paul L. Hoffman appeal the district court’s order imposing sanctions under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 11. In addition, Hoffman appeals the district court’s denial of his motion for reconsideration of the sanctions order. We have jurisdiction over the appeals pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1291 . We review the district court’s Rule 11 sanctions order for abuse of discretion, and we vacate and remand so that the district court can reevaluate the imposition of sanctions in light of this decision. Holgate v. Baldwin, 425 F.3d 671, 675 (9th Cir.2005). We review the district court’s denial of a motion for reconsideration for abuse of discretion, and we reverse. Smith v. Pac. Props. and Dev. Corp., 358 F.3d 1097, 1100 (9th Cir.2004).

The parties are familiar with the facts of this case, which are extensive. Therefore, we do not repeat them here, except as necessary to explain our decision. However, before we reach the merits of the appeals, we explain the basis of our jurisdiction to hear Collingsworth’s appeal.

I. JURISDICTION

The district court issued its order imposing Rule 11 sanctions on October 16,…