Opinion
22-cv-5183 (MKV)
10-17-2022
ELIZABETH BERRY, Plaintiff, v. MEDIACOM COMMUNICATIONS CORP., Defendant.
ORDER
MARY KAY VYSKOCIL, UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
On October 11, 2022, the parties informed the Court that they had reached a settlement in principle [ECF No. 19]. On October 13, 2022, the Court filed a 30-day order discontinuing this case without costs to any party and without prejudice [ECF No. 20]. Because the Complaint asserts claims under the Fair Labor Standards Act (“FLSA”), 29 U.S.C. § 201 et seq., however, judicial approval is required for settlement. See Cheeks v. Freeport Pancake House, Inc., 796 F.3d 199, 206 (2d Cir. 2015) (holding that FLSA settlements require the approval of either the district court or the United States Department of Labor). “In deciding whether to approve a stipulated settlement, the Court must scrutinize the settlement for fairness.” Boucaud v. City of New York, No 07-cv-11098 (RJS), 2010 WL 4813784, at *1 (S.D.N.Y. Nov. 16, 2010).
Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that by November 17, 2022, the parties shall submit a joint letter to the Court explaining why the proposed settlement reflects a “fair and ‘reasonable compromise of disputed issues rather than a mere waiver of statutory rights brought about by an employer's overreaching.'” Wolinsky v. Scholastic Inc., 900 F.Supp.2d 332, 335 (S.D.N.Y. 2012) (quoting Mosquera v. Masada Auto Sales, Ltd., No. 09-cv-4925 (NGG), 2011 WL 282327, at *1 (E.D.N.Y. Jan. 25, 2011)). Specifically, the parties should address the following factors:
(1) the plaintiff's range of possible recovery; (2) the extent to which “the settlement will enable the parties to avoid anticipated burdens and expenses in establishing their respective claims and defenses”; (3) the seriousness of the litigation risks faced by the parties; (4) whether “the settlement agreement is the product of arm's-length bargaining between experienced counsel”; and (5) the possibility of fraud or collusion.Id. (quoting Medley v. Am. Cancer Soc., No. 10 Civ. 3214, 2010 WL 3000028, at *1 (S.D.N.Y. July 23, 2010)). The letter must also address whether there is a bona fide dispute as to the number of hours worked or the amount of compensation due and how much of the proposed settlement Plaintiff's attorney shall be seeking as fees. Cheeks, 796 F.3d at 203, 206. Absent special circumstances, the Court will not approve any settlement agreement that is filed under seal or in redacted form. Id. at 206.
The Clerk of Court is respectfully requested to reopen this action.
SO ORDERED.