Minerex Erdoel, Inc., Cross-Appellees v. Sina, Inc., Baker, Smith & Mills, F/k/a Baker, Miller, Mills & Murray, Cross-Appellants

JOHN R. BROWN, Circuit Judge:

Nominally this appeal concerns the proper allowance of counsel fees in a bankruptcy case. We never get to the merits of that controversy, however, because the District Court on the appeal from the bankruptcy court referred the appeal to a magistrate for determination. We hold such reference improper and vacate the unauthorized decision by the magistrate.

In the Beginning

The firm of Baker, Smith and Mills originally undertook simultaneously to represent before the bankruptcy court both (i) a set of four limited partnerships that all filed for reorganization…