All Underwriters v. Mark Weisberg

DUBINA, Circuit Judge:

This appeal involves the question of whether a district court may award attorney’s fees pursuant to a state statute in a marine insurance contract dispute. The district court answered the question in the negative. We reverse.

I. Background

Appellants, Mark Weisberg and Robert Berzon (“Weisberg,” “Berzon,” or collectively, “Appellants”), entered into a marine insurance contract with Appellee, Underwriters at Lloyds, London (“Underwriters”), to insure Appellants’ 32 foot motor vessel named “After Hours.” The policy provided hull and machinery coverage for $50,000, beginning…