LEGAL CONCLUSIONS
STANDARD OF REVIEW = DE NOVO

But we review the district court’s legal conclusions in a § 2255 proceeding de novo and the underlying facts for clear error. Castillo v. United States, 200 F.3d 735, 736 (11th Cir.), cert denied, 531 U.S. 845, 121 S.Ct. 114, 148 L.Ed.2d 70 (2000).