Opinion
22-CV-61301-SMITH/VALLE
12-19-2022
DETIKO B. COX, and other similarly situated individuals, Plaintiff, v. BLUETRITON BRANDS, INC., a/k/a ReadyFresh, Defendant.
REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION TO DISTRICT JUDGE
ALICIA O. VALLE, UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE
THIS MATTER is before the Court upon the parties' Joint Motion to Approve Settlement Agreement and Joint Stipulation for Dismissal with Prejudice (the “Motion”). (ECF No. 23). U.S. District Judge Rodney Smith has referred the Motion to the undersigned to conduct a fairness hearing pursuant to Lynn's Food Stores, Inc. v. United States, 679 F.2d 1350, 1355 (11th Cir. 1982). (ECF No. 22).
Although the parties filed a Joint Stipulation for Dismissal, they conditioned its effectiveness on the Court's review and approval of the Settlement Agreement. See (ECF No. 23 at 1). Accordingly, the Court has jurisdiction to conduct the fairness hearing. See Anago Franchising, Inc. v. Shaz, LLC, 677 F.3d 1272, 1278 (11th Cir. 2012) (“[W]e find that the plain language of Rule 41(a)(1)(A)(ii) requires that a stipulation filed pursuant to that subsection is self-executing and dismisses the case upon its becoming effective. The stipulation becomes effective upon filing unless it explicitly conditions its effectiveness on a subsequent occurrence.”).
Plaintiff initiated this case as a collective action pursuing claims under the Fair Labor Standards Act (“FLSA”) for alleged violations of the statutory overtime and retaliation provisions. See generally (ECF No. 1); see 29 U.S.C. § 201 et seq. On November 29, 2022, the parties filed a Notice of Settlement. (ECF No. 20). The instant Motion followed. (ECF No. 23).
Before the Court can dismiss this case and approve a settlement of the FLSA claims, the Court must scrutinize the settlement and determine that it is a “fair and reasonable resolution of a bona fide dispute over FLSA provisions.” Lynn's Food Stores, 679 F.2d at 1355. In doing so, courts consider various factors, including: (1) the possible existence of collusion behind the settlement; (2) the complexity, expense, and likely duration of the litigation; (3) the stage of the proceedings and the amount of discovery completed; (4) the probability of the plaintiff's success on the merits; (5) the range of possible recovery; and (6) the opinions of counsel. See Leverso v. S. Trust Bank of Ala. Nat. Assoc., 18 F.3d 1527, 1531 n.6 (11th Cir. 1994); see also McHone v. Donald P. Hoekstra Plumbing, Inc., No. 10-CV-60322, 2010 WL 4625999, at *1 (S.D. Fla. Nov. 4, 2010); Dees v. Hydradry, Inc., 706 F.Supp.2d 1227, 1241 (M.D. Fla. 2010). In the end, if the settlement reflects a reasonable compromise over FLSA issues that are actually in dispute, the court may approve the settlement “to promote the policy of encouraging settlement in litigation.” Lynn's Food Stores, 679 F.2d at 1354.
The Court has scrutinized the terms of the Settlement Agreement and considered the above factors, the overall strengths and weaknesses of the parties' respective positions, and the parties' desire to resolve this case sooner rather than later to avoid the costs and uncertainty of litigation. The Court also considered that Plaintiff's claims were disputed as to liability and that all parties were represented by counsel. Lastly, the Settlement Agreement specifies the portion of the settlement amount to be paid to Plaintiff and the amounts designated for attorney's fees and costs. Accordingly, the Court finds that the Settlement Agreement is a fair and reasonable resolution of a bona fide FLSA dispute.
In addition, Plaintiff's counsel has submitted his billing records to the undersigned. The Court considered “the reasonableness of [Plaintiff's] counsel's legal fees to assure both that counsel is compensated adequately and that no conflict of interest taints the amount the wronged employee recovers under a settlement agreement.” Silva v. Miller, 307 Fed.Appx. 349, 351 (11th Cir. 2009). Having done so, the Court finds that the amount of the settlement proceeds attributable to Plaintiff's counsel's legal fees is reasonable.
RECOMMENDATION
Accordingly, for the reasons set forth above, the undersigned respectfully recommends that:
(i) the Motion be GRANTED, and the Settlement Agreement be APPROVED;
(ii) the case be DISMISSED WITH PREJUDICE; and
(iii) the District Court retain jurisdiction for 30 days from the date of its Order approving the Settlement Agreement.
Within fourteen (14) days after being served with a copy of this Report and Recommendation, any party may serve and file written objections to any of the above findings and recommendations as provided by the Local Rules for this District. 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1); S.D. Fla. Mag. R. 4(b). Failure to timely object waives the right to challenge on appeal the District Court's order based on unobjected-to factual and legal conclusions contained in this Report and Recommendation. 11th Cir. R. 3-1 (2022); see Thomas v. Arn, 474 U.S. 140 (1985).
DONE AND ORDERED in Chambers, at Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on December 19, 2022.