KBFA Investment Group, Inc. v. FedEx Ground Packag ( 2020 )

Case: 19-51068 Document: 00515537780 Page: 1 Date Filed: 08/24/2020
United States Court of Appeals
for the Fifth Circuit United States Court of Appeals
Fifth Circuit
FILED
August 24, 2020
No. 19-51068
Lyle W. Cayce
Clerk
KBFA Investment Group, Incorporated,
Plaintiff—Appellant,
versus
FedEx Ground Package System, Incorporated,
Defendant—Appellee.
Appeal from the United States District Court
for the Western District of Texas
USDC No. 1:19-CV-846
Before Smith, Willett, and Duncan, Circuit Judges.
Per Curiam:*
KBFA Investment Group, Inc. appeals the district court’s
confirmation of an arbitration award, arguing that the arbitrator exceeded his
authority. Our review of an arbitration award is, of course, exceedingly
limited: “the sole question is whether the arbitrator (even arguably)
interpreted the parties’ contract, not whether he got its meaning right or
*
Pursuant to 5th Circuit Rule 47.5, the court has determined that this
opinion should not be published and is not precedent except under the limited
circumstances set forth in 5th Circuit Rule 47.5.4.
Case: 19-51068 Document: 00515537780 Page: 2 Date Filed: 08/24/2020
No. 19-51068
wrong.” Oxford Health Plans LLC v. Sutter, 569 U.S. 564, 569 (2013). Even
if the arbitrator erred, clearly erred, or grossly erred in his interpretation, we
must uphold the award unless it “was so unfounded in reason and fact, so
unconnected with the wording and purpose of the contract as to manifest an
infidelity to the obligation of an arbitrator.” Timegate Studios, Inc. v.
Southpeak Interactive, L.L.C., 713 F.3d 797, 802 (5th Cir. 2013) (internal
quotation omitted).
With this exacting standard in mind, we have carefully reviewed the
record in this case, including the parties’ briefs and the arbitration award
itself. We find no evidence that the arbitrator exceeded his authority. The
judgment of the district court is AFFIRMED.
2