diff --git a/codeflash/code_utils/static_analysis.py b/codeflash/code_utils/static_analysis.py
index ad0fa3459..7abbcefcd 100644
--- a/codeflash/code_utils/static_analysis.py
+++ b/codeflash/code_utils/static_analysis.py
@@ -7,6 +7,8 @@
 
 from pydantic import BaseModel, ConfigDict, field_validator
 
+from codeflash.models.models import FunctionParent
+
 if TYPE_CHECKING:
     from codeflash.models.models import FunctionParent
 
@@ -139,16 +141,19 @@ def get_first_top_level_function_or_method_ast(
 
 
 def function_kind(node: ast.FunctionDef | ast.AsyncFunctionDef, parents: list[FunctionParent]) -> FunctionKind | None:
-    if not parents or parents[0].type in ["FunctionDef", "AsyncFunctionDef"]:
+    if not parents:
+        return FunctionKind.FUNCTION
+    parent_type = parents[0].type
+    if parent_type in {"FunctionDef", "AsyncFunctionDef"}:
         return FunctionKind.FUNCTION
-    for _i in range(len(parents) - 1, -1, -1):
-        continue
-    if parents[0].type == "ClassDef":
+    if parent_type == "ClassDef":
+        # Fast path: decorator_list is typically small; scan for 'classmethod' and 'staticmethod'
         for decorator in node.decorator_list:
             if isinstance(decorator, ast.Name):
-                if decorator.id == "classmethod":
+                did = decorator.id
+                if did == "classmethod":
                     return FunctionKind.CLASS_METHOD
-                if decorator.id == "staticmethod":
+                if did == "staticmethod":
                     return FunctionKind.STATIC_METHOD
         return FunctionKind.INSTANCE_METHOD
     return None