Meierhenry Sargent LLP v. Williams, No. 19-3323 (8th Cir. 2021)
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The Eighth Circuit previously affirmed an interlocutory ruling that several counterclaims were non-arbitrable. See Meierhenry Sargent LLP v. Williams, 915 F.3d 507, 510–12 (8th Cir. 2019).
The primary issue on appeal here is whether the district court "improperly rewrote" its original order by enjoining defendants from seeking damages in arbitration in excess of fees owed. Although the court could review the district court's decision, the court declined to overturn it, explaining that all the district court did was clarify its original order, which it had the authority to do. In this case, the original order stated that the counterclaims were arbitrable to the extent they reduced the amount defendants owed to the firm, and the district court clarified on remand that this restriction applied to the breach-of-contract claim too. Finally, the court concluded that it lacked jurisdiction to consider the remaining claims.
Court Description: [Per Curiam - Before Colloton, Grasz, and Stras, Circuit Judges] Civil case - Arbitration. For the court's prior opinion in the matter, see Meierhenry Sargent LLP v. Williams, 915 F.3d 507 (8th Cir. 2019). The district court had authority to clarify its original order to make clear that its restriction on the arbitration of counterclaims applied to a breach-of-contract claim too; the court lacks jurisdiction to consider the other claims raised on appeal. Judge Colloton, concurring.
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