Does a federal district court deny a habeas petition de novo?

We review a federal district court's decision to deny a habeas petition de novo. Sanders v. Ratelle, 21 F.3d 1446, 1451 (9th Cir.1994). Whether a defendant received ineffective assistance of counsel is a legal question also reviewed de novo. Sanders, 21 F.3d at 1451. Findings of fact made by the district court are reviewed for clear error. Bonin v. Calderon, 59 F.3d 815, 823 (9th Cir.1995).