cooter gell hartmarx argued february decided june respondents defendants district suit instituted petitioner law firm behalf client filed motion dismiss complaint basis fact motion sanctions federal rule civil procedure ground firm made sufficient prefiling inquiries support complaint allegations rule specifying inter alia attorney signature pleading constitutes certificate read believes well grounded fact legally tenable provides pleading signed violation rule shall impose upon attorney client appropriate sanction may include order pay party parties amount reasonable expenses incurred filing pleading including reasonable attorney fee following petitioner notice voluntary dismissal complaint rule held petitioner prefiling inquiries grossly inadequate imposed monetary sanctions upon client appeals affirmed holding voluntary dismissal divest district jurisdiction rule upon rule motion determination petitioner violated rule substantially justified appellant successfully defends rule award entitled recover reasonable attorney fees appeal therefore remanded case district determine amount fees enter appropriate award held voluntary rule dismissal deprive district jurisdiction rule motion view consistent rule purposes deterring baseless filings streamlining federal procedure contradicted anything rule rule pp rule permits voluntary dismissal without prejudice plaintiff files notice dismissal defendant files answer summary judgment motion plaintiff never previously dismissed action based including claim defendant responded complaint plaintiff may dismiss stipulation order upon terms conditions deems proper moreover dismissal operates adjudication merits plaintiff previously dismissed claim pp district jurisdiction invoked filing underlying complaint supports consideration action merits rule motion arising filing rule violation complete paper filed voluntary dismissal expunge violation order comply rule requirement shall impose sanctions must authority consider whether violation signing requirement regardless dismissal pp language rules compatible like imposition costs attorney fees contempt sanctions rule sanction judgment action merits simply requires determination collateral issue may made principal suit termination sanction signify merits determination imposition deprive plaintiff rule right dismiss without prejudice pp rule rule aimed curbing abuses judicial system policies completely compatible rule designed limit plaintiff ability dismiss action order curb abuses state federal procedures allowing dismissals matter right entry verdict judgment codify policy plaintiff right one free dismissal also secures right file baseless papers litigant purge rule violation merely taking dismissal lose incentive investigate carefully serving filing papers pp appeals apply standard reviewing aspects district decision rule proceeding petitioner contention appeals applied standard review clearly erroneous standard findings historical fact de novo standard determination counsel violated rule standard choice sanction rejected pp appellate courts must review selection sanction standard since directing district impose appropriate sanction rule indicates empowered exercise discretion moreover absence language rule contrary courts adhere usual practice reviewing district findings fact deferential standard present context clearly erroneous standards indistinguishable appeals justified concluding district abused discretion making factual finding finding clearly erroneous furthermore appeals must defer district legal conclusions rule proceedings since conclusions rooted factual determinations rather purely legal inquiries district familiar issues litigants better situated marshal pertinent facts apply necessary legal standard district based conclusion erroneous view law appellate justified concluding abused discretion pp pierce underwood held district determination equal access justice act position substantially justified reviewed abuse discretion strongly supports applying unitary standard aspects rule proceeding pp adoption standard also supported rule policy goals deterrence streamlining judicial process district best situated determine whether sanction warranted light local bar litigation practices deference determination enhance ability control litigants free appellate courts duty reweighing evidence discourage litigants pursuing marginal appeals pp appeals determination district applied correct legal standard offered substantial justification finding rule violation consistent deferential standard review adopted rule authorize district award attorney fee incurred appeal pp neither language rule sanctions provision read light rule statement rules govern district procedure advisory committee note suggests rule require payment appellate proceedings respondents interpretation provision covers expenses incurred filing overbroad sensible reading permits award expenses directly caused filing logically trial level considers expenses defending award appeal arise award taking appeal initial filing complaint pp federal rule appellate procedure authorizes courts appeals award damages single double costs appellee upon determining appeal frivolous places natural limit rule scope rule appeal frivolous often given district broad discretion impose sanctions rule gives appellate ample authority award expenses however appeal frivolous rule require appellee pay appellant attorney fees limiting rule scope trial expenses accords policy discouraging meritorious appeals since many valid challenges might filed unsuccessful appellants routinely required courts originally imposed sanctions shoulder appellee fees moreover including fees rule sanction might undesirable effect encouraging additional satellite litigation since losing party subjected fees remand might appeal award even disallowing rule appellate attorney fees award discourage litigants defending award appellate expenses likely exceed sanction amount risk expending value one award defending natural concomitant american rule prevailing litigant ordinarily entitled collect attorney fee pp delivered opinion unanimous respect parts ii iv opinion respect part iii rehnquist brennan white marshall blackmun scalia kennedy joined stevens filed opinion concurring part dissenting part post stephen saltzburg argued cause petitioner briefs dale cooter donna mangold richard favretto argued cause respondents brief kenneth geller mark ryan evan tager carey stein alan morrison paul alan levy david vladeck filed brief public citizen amicus curiae urging reversal briefs amici curiae urging affirmance filed legal affairs council wyatt durrette bradley cavedo washington legal foundation daniel popeo paul kamenar richard samp briefs amici curiae filed association trial lawyers america gregory joseph russ herman jeffrey robert white chicago council lawyers thomas meites plaintiff employment lawyers association barry roseman justice delivered opinion case presents three issues related application rule federal rules civil procedure whether district may impose rule sanctions plaintiff voluntarily dismissed complaint pursuant rule federal rules civil procedure constitutes appropriate standard appellate review district imposition rule sanctions whether rule authorizes awards attorney fees incurred appeal rule sanction danik owned operated number discount men clothing stores washington area june intercontinental apparel subsidiary respondent hartmarx brought action danik district district columbia danik represented law firm cooter gell petitioner responded suit filing counterclaim intercontinental alleging violations act stat march district granted summary judgment intercontinental suit danik february jury returned verdict intercontinental danik counterclaim judgments affirmed appeal danik intercontinental apparel app judgment order intercontinental apparel danik app judgment order litigation proceeding petitioner prepared two additional antitrust complaints hartmarx two subsidiaries respondents hart schaffner marx one complaints one giving rise rule sanction issue case alleged nationwide conspiracy fix prices eliminate competition exclusive retail agent policy uniform pricing scheme well unfair competition practices resale price maintenance territorial restrictions app petitioner filed two complaints november respondents moved dismiss antitrust complaint issue alleging among things danik allegations basis fact respondents also moved sanctions rule opposition rule motion petitioner filed three affidavits setting forth prefiling research supported allegations complaint essence petitioner research consisted telephone calls salespersons number men clothing stores new york city philadelphia baltimore washington petitioner inferred research one store major metropolitan area nationwide sold hart schaffner marx suits april petitioner filed notice voluntary dismissal complaint pursuant rule dismissal became effective july district granted petitioner motion dispense notice dismissal putative class members june dismissal became effective district heard oral argument rule motion district took rule motion advisement december years hearing motion dismissal complaint district ordered respondents submit statement costs attorney fees respondents filed statement requesting attorney fees two months later district granted respondents motion rule sanctions holding petitioner prefiling inquiry grossly inadequate specifically district found allegations complaint regarding exclusive retail agency arrangements clothing completely baseless petitioner researched availability hart schaffner marx menswear addition district found petitioner limited survey four eastern cities support allegation respondents exclusive retailer agreements every major city accordingly district determined petitioner violated rule imposed sanction petitioner danik appeals district columbia circuit affirmed imposition rule sanctions danik hartmarx app three aspects decision issue first appeals rejected petitioner argument danik voluntary dismissal antitrust complaint divested district jurisdiction rule upon rule motion reviewing decisions circuits considering issue appeals concluded policies behind rule permit party escape sanction merely dismissing unfounded case reasoned rule sanctions served punish deter secured proper functioning legal system independent burdened party interest recovering expenses accordingly held sanctions must available appropriate circumstances notwithstanding private party effort cut losses run using rule emergency exit ibid second appeals affirmed district determination petitioner violated rule petitioner arguments failed cal doubt two fatal deficiencies identified district rather petitioner account efforts id confirm shortcomings ibid third appeals considered respondents claim petitioner also pay expenses respondents incurred defending rule award appeal relying westmoreland cbs app appeals held appellant successfully defends rule award entitled recover attorney fees appeal remanded case district determine amount reasonable attorney fees enter appropriate award ii rules enabling act authorizes prescribe general rules practice procedure rules evidence cases district courts including proceedings magistrates thereof courts appeals authority enact rules abridge enlarge modify substantive right ibid pursuant authority promulgated federal rules civil procedure govern procedure district courts suits civil nature fed rule civ proc therefore interpret rule according plain meaning see pavelic leflore marvel entertainment group light scope congressional authorization rule provides full every pleading motion paper party represented attorney shall signed least one attorney record attorney individual name whose address shall stated party represented attorney shall sign party pleading motion paper state party address except otherwise specifically provided rule statute pleadings need verified accompanied affidavit rule equity averments answer oath must overcome testimony two witnesses one witness sustained corroborating circumstances abolished signature attorney party constitutes certificate signer signer read pleading motion paper best signer knowledge information belief formed reasonable inquiry well grounded fact warranted existing law good faith argument extension modification reversal existing law interposed improper purpose harass cause unnecessary delay needless increase cost litigation pleading motion paper signed shall stricken unless signed promptly omission called attention pleader movant pleading motion paper signed violation rule upon motion upon initiative shall impose upon person signed represented party appropriate sanction may include order pay party parties amount reasonable expenses incurred filing pleading motion paper including reasonable attorney fee ameliorate problems response concerns abusive litigation practices abounded federal courts rule amended see schwarzer sanctions new federal rule closer look clear central purpose rule deter baseless filings district thus consistent rules enabling act grant authority streamline administration procedure federal courts see advisory committee note rule rule imposes duty attorneys certify conducted reasonable inquiry determined papers filed well grounded fact legally tenable interposed improper purpose attorney signs paper without substantiated belief shall penalized appropriate sanction sanction may need include payment parties expenses see ibid although rule must read light concerns spawn satellite litigation chill vigorous advocacy interpretation must give effect rule central goal deterrence iii first address question whether petitioner dismissal antitrust complaint pursuant rule deprived district jurisdiction award attorney fees rule plaintiff stipulation subject provisions rule rule statute action may dismissed plaintiff without order filing notice dismissal time service adverse party answer motion summary judgment whichever first occurs ii filing stipulation dismissal signed parties appeared action unless otherwise stated notice dismissal stipulation dismissal without prejudice except notice dismissal operates adjudication upon merits filed plaintiff dismissed state action based including claim petitioner contends filing notice voluntary dismissal pursuant rule automatically deprives jurisdiction action rendering powerless impose sanctions thereafter courts appeals consider issue appeals second circuit held voluntary dismissal acts jurisdictional bar rule proceedings see johnson chemical home care products view consistent rule language purposes one supported weight circuit authority district courts may enforce rule even plaintiff filed notice dismissal rule see szabo food service canteen cert dism greenberg sala muthig brant point nantucket district jurisdiction invoked filing underlying complaint supports consideration merits action motion rule sanctions arising filing violation rule complete paper filed szabo food service supra voluntary dismissal expunge rule violation order comply rule requirement shall impose sanctions pleading motion paper signed violation rule must authority consider whether violation signing requirement regardless dismissal underlying action view nothing language rule rule statute federal rule terminates district authority impose sanctions dismissal well established federal may consider collateral issues action longer pending example district courts may award costs action dismissed want jurisdiction see indicated motions costs attorney fees independent proceeding supplemental original proceeding request modification original decree sprague ticonic national bank thus even years entry judgment merits federal consider award counsel fees white new hampshire dept employment security criminal contempt charge likewise separate independent proceeding law part original action bray quoting gompers bucks stove range may make adjudication contempt impose contempt sanction even action contempt arose terminated see mine workers violations order punishable criminal contempt even though basic action become moot gompers bucks stove range supra main case settled action became moot course without prejudice power right punish contempt proper proceedings like imposition costs attorney fees contempt sanctions imposition rule sanction judgment merits action rather requires determination collateral issue whether attorney abused judicial process sanction appropriate determination may made principal suit terminated rule sanction signify district assessment legal merits complaint imposition sanction voluntary dismissal deprive plaintiff right rule dismiss action without prejudice ismissal without prejudice dismissal operat adjudication upon merits rule thus res judicata effect even district indicated complaint legally tenable factually well founded rule purposes resulting rule sanction nevertheless preclude refiling complaint indeed even rule sanction imposed prohibition refiling complaint assuming appropriate sanction rule purposes preclusion refilling neither consequence dismissal without prejudice term condition placed upon dismissal unconditional see rule foregoing interpretation consistent policy purpose rule designed limit plaintiff ability dismiss action prior promulgation federal rules liberal state federal procedural rules often allowed dismissals nonsuits matter right entry verdict see code judgment see la code prac art see generally note right plaintiff take voluntary nonsuit dismiss action without prejudice rev rule designed curb abuses nonsuit rules see american bar association proceedings institute federal rules cleveland ohio rule intended eliminate annoying defendant summoned successive actions settlement arrived requiring permit action dismissed another one commenced leisure remarks judge george donworth member advisory committee rules civil procedure see also wright miller federal practice procedure state statutes common law gave plaintiffs expansive control suits rule preserved narrow slice allowed plaintiff dismiss action without permission adverse party brief period defendant made significant commitment time money rule designed give plaintiff benefit right take one dismissal without prejudice rule rule aimed curbing abuses judicial system thus policies like language completely compatible rule limits litigant power dismiss actions allows one dismissal without prejudice rule codify policy plaintiff right one free dismissal also secures right file baseless papers filing complaints papers motions without taking necessary care preparation separate abuse judicial system subject separate sanction noted voluntary dismissal eliminate rule violation baseless filing puts machinery justice motion burdening courts individuals alike needless expense delay even careless litigant quickly dismisses action harm triggering rule concerns already occurred therefore litigant violates rule merits sanctions even dismissal moreover imposition sanctions abusive litigants useful deter misconduct litigant purge violation rule merely taking dismissal lose incentive stop think investigate carefully serving filing papers amendments federal rules civil procedure letter judge walter mansfield chairman advisory committee civil rules mar conclude petitioner voluntary dismissal divest district jurisdiction consider respondents rule motion although rule establish deadline imposition sanctions advisory committee contemplate lengthy delay prior imposition occurred case rather anticipated case pleadings sanctions issue rule normally determined end litigation case motions time motion decided shortly thereafter advisory committee note rule district courts may course adopt local rules establishing timeliness standards white new hampshire dept employment security filing deciding rule motions iv petitioner contends appeals apply sufficiently rigorous standard reviewing district imposition rule sanctions determining whether attorney violated rule involves consideration three types issues must consider factual questions regarding nature attorney prefiling inquiry factual basis pleading paper legal issues raised considering whether pleading warranted existing law good faith argument changing law whether attorney conduct violated rule finally district must exercise discretion tailor appropriate sanction appeals case specify applicable standard review however precedent district columbia circuit applying standard determination whether filing insufficient factual basis interposed improper purpose reviewing de novo question whether pleading motion legally sufficient see international brotherhood teamsters chauffeurs warehousemen helpers america airline div association flight attendants app westmoreland cbs app petitioner contends appeals ninth circuit adopted appropriate approach circuit reviews findings historical fact clearly erroneous standard determination counsel violated rule de novo standard choice sanction standard see zaldivar los angeles majority circuits follow neither approach rather apply deferential standard issues raised rule violation see kale combined ins america teamsters local union cement express cert denied stevens lawyers mutual liability ins north carolina thomas capital security services en banc century products sutter mars steel continental bank adamson bowen although courts appeals use different verbal formulas characterize standards review scope actual disagreement narrow dispute exists appellate courts review district selection sanction deferential standard directing district impose appropriate sanction rule indicates district empowered exercise discretion see also advisory committee note rule suggesting district discretion tailor sanctions particular facts case well acquainted circuits also agree absence language contrary rule courts adhere usual practice reviewing district findings fact deferential standard see fed rule civ proc findings fact shall set aside unless clearly erroneous due regard shall given opportunity trial judge credibility witnesses practice clearly erroneous standard requires appellate uphold district determination falls within broad range permissible conclusions see anderson bessemer city district account evidence plausible light record viewed entirety appeals may reverse even though convinced sitting trier fact weighed evidence differently two permissible views evidence factfinder choice clearly erroneous inwood laboratories ives laboratories appellate reviews district factual findings clearly erroneous standards indistinguishable appeals justified concluding district abused discretion making factual finding finding clearly erroneous scope disagreement appropriate standard review thus confined narrow issue whether appeals must defer district legal conclusions rule proceedings number factors led majority circuits see supra well number commentators see shaffer sandler sanctions rule powers ed hereinafter shaffer sandler american judicature society rule transition report third circuit task force federal rule civil procedure pp burbank reporter conclude appellate courts review aspects district imposition rule sanctions deferential standard long noted difficulty distinguishing legal factual issues see swint rule furnish particular guidance respect distinguishing law fact yet know rule principle unerringly distinguish factual finding legal conclusion making distinctions particularly difficult rule context rather mandating inquiry purely legal questions whether attorney legal argument correct rule requires consider issues rooted factual determinations example determine whether attorney prefiling inquiry reasonable must consider circumstances case inquiry unreasonable attorney months prepare complaint may reasonable days statute limitations runs considering whether complaint supported fact law best signer knowledge information belief must make assessment signer credibility issues involving credibility normally considered factual matters see fed rule civ proc see also oregon state medical society considerations involved rule context similar involved determining negligence generally reviewed deferentially see mars steel continental bank supra see also wright miller federal practice procedure mcallister holding district findings negligence clearly erroneous familiar issues litigants district better situated appeals marshal pertinent facts apply legal standard mandated rule course standard preclude appellate correction district legal errors determining rule sanctions imposed upon signing attorney law firm see pavelic leflore marvel entertainment group relying materially incorrect view relevant law determining pleading warranted existing law good faith argument changing law appellate justified concluding making errors district abused discretion district findings rest erroneous view law may set aside basis swint supra see also icicle seafoods worthington appeals believed district factual findings unassailable proper rule law misapplied findings reversed district judgment pierce underwood strongly supports applying unitary standard aspects rule proceeding pierce held district determination equal access justice act eaja ed position substantially justified reviewed abuse discretion position substantially justified reasonable basis law fact eaja requires inquiry similar rule inquiry whether pleading well grounded fact legally tenable although eaja rule completely analogous reasoning pierce relevant determining rule standard review two factors found significant pierce equally pertinent first indicated matter sound administration justice deference owed judicial actor better positioned another decide issue question quoting miller fenton determination whether legal position substantially justified depends greatly factual determinations reasoned district better positioned make factual determinations see district ruling litigant position factually well grounded legally tenable rule purposes similarly fact specific pierce also concluded district rulings legal issues reviewed deferentially see according review legal issues de novo standard require courts appeals invest time energy unproductive task determining law government substantially justified believing ibid likewise appellate reviewing legal issues rule context required determine whether time attorney filed pleading paper legal argument appeared plausible determinations either fail produce normal benefits come appellate decision question law else strangely distort appellate process establishing circuit law peculiar secondhanded fashion second pierce noted deferential review gave district necessary flexibility resolve questions involving multifarious fleeting special narrow facts utterly resist generalization question whether government taken substantially justified position circumstances involves consideration unique factors little susceptible useful generalization ibid issues involved determining whether attorney violated rule likewise involve close calls shaffer sandler contrary petitioner contentions pierce underwood distinguishable ground sanctions rule mandatory sanctions shall imposed violation found bearing review question whether attorney conduct violated rule rule policy goals also support adopting standard district best acquainted local bar litigation practices thus best situated determine sanction warranted serve rule goal specific general deterrence deference determination courts front lines litigation enhance courts ability control litigants deference streamline litigation process freeing appellate courts duty reweighing evidence reconsidering facts already weighed considered district also discourage litigants pursuing marginal appeals thus reducing amount satellite litigation although district courts identification conduct violates rule may vary see schwarzer rule revisited harv rev note uniform approach rule sanctions yale variation application standard based reasonableness inevitable resolutions made uniform appellate review de novo otherwise mars steel continental bank see also shaffer sandler appellate review whether legal position reasonable plausible enough circumstances unlikely establish clear guidelines lower courts clarify underlying principles law see pierce supra light consideration purposes policies rule accordance analysis analogous eaja provisions reject petitioner contention appeals applied standard review rather appellate apply standard reviewing aspects district rule determination district necessarily abuse discretion based ruling erroneous view law clearly erroneous assessment evidence appeals determined district applied correct legal standard offered substantial justification finding rule violation app affirmance district liability determination consistent deferential standard adopt today finally appeals held respondents entitled reimbursed attorney fees incurred defending award appeal accordingly remanded district determine expenses ultimately enter appropriate award ruling accorded decisions courts appeals first seventh circuits see muthig brant point nantucket hays sony america conflicted decisions fourth ninth circuits see basch westinghouse electric cert denied orange production credit assn frontline ventures face rule apply appellate proceedings provision allowing include order pay party parties amount reasonable expenses incurred filing pleading motion paper including reasonable attorney fee must interpreted light federal rule civil procedure indicates rules govern procedure district courts neither language rule advisory committee note suggests rule require payment activities outside context district proceedings respondents interpret last sentence rule extending scope sanction cover expenses including fees appeal incurred filing case respondents argue incurred none appellate expenses petitioner lawsuit filed line reasoning lead conclusion expenses incurred baseless filing extend indefinitely cf keeton dobbs keeton owens prosser keeton law torts ed philosophical sense consequences act go forward eternity practical matter legal responsibility must limited causes closely connected result significance law justified imposing liability omitted interpretation rule overbroad believe rule sensibly understood permitting award expenses directly caused filing logically trial level plaintiff filing requires defendant take necessary steps defend suit district filing baseless attorneys fees incurred defense triggered rule violation district imposes rule sanctions plaintiff plaintiff appeals expenses incurred defending award appeal directly caused district sanction appeal sanction plaintiff initial filing district federal rules appellate procedure place natural limit rule scope appeal litigants conduct governed federal rule appellate procedure provides appeals shall determine appeal frivolous may award damages single double costs appellee appeal rule sanction frivolous rule gives appellate courts ample authority award expenses indeed district broad discretion impose rule sanctions appeals sanctions may frequently frivolous see moore ward lucas moore federal practice pp ed appeal challenges actions findings district appellate gives deference judging abuse discretion clearly erroneous standard likely find appellant arguments frivolous appeal frivolous standard rule require appellee pay appellant attorney fees respondents interpretation rule give district authority award attorney fees appellee even appeal sanctioned appellate rules avoid somewhat anomalous result rules better read together allowing expenses incurred appeal shifted onto appellants expenses caused frivolous appeal merely rule sanction upheld appeal ultimately traced baseless filing district limiting rule scope manner accords policy discouraging meritorious appeals appellants routinely compelled shoulder appellees attorney fees valid challenges district decisions discouraged knowledge unsuccessful appeal rule sanction district originally imposed sanction also decide whether appellant pay opponent attorney fee likely chill bravest litigants taking appeal see webster sowders appeals district orders deterred threats rule sanctions district judges moreover including appellate attorney fees rule sanction might undesirable effect encouraging additional satellite litigation example district included appellate attorney fees rule sanction remand losing party might appeal amount award possible disallowing award appellate attorney fees rule discourage litigants defending award appeal appellate expenses likely exceed amount sanction doubt whether proposition empirically correct see american judicature society rule transition report third circuit task force federal rule civil procedure burbank reporter courts appeals ample authority protect beneficiaries rule sanctions awarding damages single double costs rule may noted appellant reasonable prospect meeting difficult standard abuse discretion beyond protection however risk expending value one award course defending natural concomitant american rule prevailing litigant ordinarily entitled collect reasonable attorneys fee loser alyeska pipeline service wilderness society whenever damages awards trial level small successful plaintiff less incentive defend award appeal rule statute policies allowing district courts require losing party pay appellate well district attorney fees applicable movant rule entitlement fees sanction contrary view breed appellate litigation american judicature society supra affirm appeals conclusion voluntary dismissal deprive district jurisdiction rule motion hold appellate review district decision rule proceeding abuse discretion rule authorize district award attorney fees incurred appeal reverse portion appeals judgment remanding case district determination reasonable appellate expenses foregoing reasons judgment affirmed part reversed part ordered petitioner raise argument rule sanctions imposed two attorneys signed complaint see pavelic leflore marvel entertainment group either courts petition certiorari decline consider see industries kelco disposal justice stevens concurring part dissenting part rule rule designed facilitate speedy inexpensive determination cases federal properly understood two rules work conjunction prevent prosecution needless baseless lawsuits rule requires impose appropriate sanction litigant wastes judicial resources filing pleading well grounded fact warranted existing law argument extension modification reversal rule permits plaintiff decides continue lawsuit withdraw complaint answer motion summary judgment filed avoid proceedings basis complaint today however refuses read two rules together light limited valuable purposes focusing filing baseless complaints without attention whether complaints result waste judicial resources vastly expands contours rule eviscerates rule creates federal common law malicious prosecution inconsistent limited mandate rules enabling act prior adoption rule plaintiff federal dismiss action law entry verdict judgment practice unscrupulous plaintiff harass defendant filing repetitive baseless lawsuits long dismissed prior adverse ruling merits rule designed decision cases two significant ways first providing second voluntary dismissal adjudication merits first dismissal without prejudice dismissal precedes filing answer motion summary judgment rule satisfies interest preventing abusive filing repetitious frivolous lawsuits second equal importance giving plaintiff absolute unqualified right dismiss complaint without permission notice adversary framers rule intended preserve right plaintiff reconsider decision file suit brief period defendant made significant commitment time money ante rule permits plaintiff file complaint preserve rights statute limitations reconsider decision prior joinder issue commencement litigation theory rule rule work tandem complaint withdrawn rule merits complaint appropriate area inquiry federal predicate imposition sanctions complaint eliminated express authorization federal rules required take action consideration rule motion dismissed complaint necessarily result increase judicial workload plaintiff persists prosecution meritless complaint however defendant joins issue filing answer motion summary judgment rule proper role play prosecution baseless lawsuits filing frivolous papers matters legitimate concern federal courts abuses rule designed deter holds however voluntary dismissal eliminate predicate rule violation frivolous complaint withdrawn burdens courts individuals alike needless expense delay ante assumption manifestly incorrect respect courts filing frivolous complaint voluntarily withdrawn imposes burden notation additional civil proceeding docket sheet said constitute burden definition voluntary dismissal rule means consider factual allegations complaint ruled motion dismiss legal claims observation individuals burdened even correct irrelevant rule designed deter parties abusing judicial resources filing complaints whatever additional costs reputation legal expenses defendant might incur top product dispute likely either minimal noncompensable fundamentally fact filing complaint imposes costs defendant concern rulemakers complaint impose costs judiciary rules enabling act give us authority create generalized federal common law malicious prosecution divorced concerns efficient processing cases federal result interpretation increase frequency rule motions decrease voluntary dismissals agree dismissal action pursuant rule deprive district jurisdiction resolve collateral issues thus may impose sanctions contempt party voluntarily dismissed complaint impose sanctions lawyers multiplied proceedings vexatiously may also impose sanctions rule complaint withdrawn responsive pleading filed pleadings well grounded find warrant law arguments law extension modification reversal plaintiff files false frivolous affidavit response motion dismiss lack jurisdiction doubt sanctioned filing cases action party constitutes abuse judicial resources plaintiff voluntarily dismissed complaint pursuant rule collateral proceeding examine whether complaint well grounded stretch matter long beyond time either plaintiff defendant otherwise want litigate merits claim interpretation unfortunate consequences encouraging filing sanction motions discouraging voluntary dismissals sensible interpretation rules designed secure speedy inexpensive determination every action fed rule civ proc despite changes taken place bar since left active practice years ago still believe lawyers wise enough know precious asset professional reputation filing unmeritorious pleadings inevitably tarnishes asset understand simple truth dealt appropriate disciplinary proceedings actions malicious prosecution abuse process extreme cases contempt proceedings unnecessary waste judicial resources unwarranted perversion federal rules hold lawyers liable rule sanctions actions federal footnotes rare cases defendant properly incurs great costs preparing motion dismiss frivolous complaint lock right file rule motion answering complaint making motion dismiss form rule motion judgment pleadings also join parts ii iv opinion