Baker Botts, L.L.P., v. Asarco, L.L.C. (576 U.S. 121)
U.S. Supreme Court · decided June 15, 2015 · Supreme Court Database (Spaeth)
- Citation
- 576 U.S. 121 · 135 S. Ct. 44
- Decided
- June 15, 2015
- Term
- October Term 2014
- Vote
- 6–3
- Majority author
- Justice Thomas
- Issue area
- Attorneys
- Disposition
- Affirmed
- Outcome
- Petitioning party lost
- Ideological direction
- Conservative
Opinion excerpt
(Slip Opinion) OCTOBER TERM, 2014 1 Syllabus NOTE: Where it is feasible, a syllabus (headnote) will be released, as is being done in connection with this case, at the time the opinion is issued. The syllabus constitutes no part of the opinion of the Court but has been prepared by the Reporter of Decisions for the convenience of the reader. See United States v. Detroit Timber & Lumber Co., 200 U.S. 321 , 337. SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES Syllabus BAKER BOTTS L.L.P. ET AL. v. ASARCO LLC CERTIORARI TO THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE FIFTH CIRCUIT No. 14–103. Argued February 25, 2015—Decided June 15, 2015 Respondent ASARCO LLC hired petitioner law firms pursuant to §327(a) of the Bankruptcy Code to assist it in carrying out its duties as a Chapter 11 debtor in possession. See 11 U.S. C . §327(a). When ASARCO emerged from bankruptcy, the law firms filed fee applica- tions requesting fees under §330(a)(1), which permits bankruptcy courts to “award . . . reasonable compensation for actual, necessary services rendered by” §327(a) professionals. ASARCO challenged the applications, but the Bankruptcy Court rejected ASARCO’s objections and awarded the law firms fees for time spent defending the applica- tions. ASARCO appealed to the District Court, which held that the law firms could be awarded fees for defending their fee applications. The Fifth Circuit reversed,…
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