Opinion
No. 1:14-cv-01804-DAD-SAB
05-26-2016
JESUS PALACIOS, et al., Plaintiffs, v. PENNY NEWMAN GRAIN, INC., et al., Defendants.
ORDER
This matter is before the court on an unopposed motion by named plaintiffs for: (1) final approval of the class action settlement, (2) an incentive award, (3) approval of the cy pres beneficiary, and (4) an award of attorneys' fees and costs. Mot. Class Action Settlement (Mot.), ECF No. 32-1. The court held a hearing on January 29, 2016, at which R. Erandi Zamora and Della Barnett appeared for plaintiffs, Christina Tillman appeared for defendant Penny Newman Grain, Inc., and Paul Bauer appeared for defendants Universal Ag Services, Inc. and Juan Zavala. ECF No. 35. As explained below, the court GRANTS the motion.
I. FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND
Jose Palacios, Jesus Palacios, Alejandro Herrera Aguilar, Edgar Torres, and Sabas Medina (collectively "named plaintiffs" or "plaintiffs") were employees of defendants Penny Newman Grain, Inc., Universal Ag Services, and Juan Zavala (collectively "defendants"). Not. of Remov. 36, ECF No. 1. Plaintiffs worked as non-exempt, hourly employees in facilities operated by Penny Newman Grain, a leading merchant in the international market for grains and feed by-products. Id.; see also Mot. Prelim. Approv. 9, ECF No. 24-1.
Named plaintiffs allege defendants violated the Fair Labor Standards Act, 29 U.S.C. § 201 et seq. (FLSA), various sections of the California Labor Code, California Business and Professions Code § 17200 et seq., and the California Private Attorneys General Act, Cal. Lab. Code § 2698 et seq. (PAGA). These claims arose from defendants' alleged failure to pay overtime wages, provide meal and rest breaks, pay penalties for missed breaks, pay all wages due on termination, and reimburse plaintiffs for their out-of-pocket expenses. Compl. ¶ 7, ECF No. 1.
Named plaintiffs filed a complaint in the California Superior Court for the County of Fresno on August 1, 2014. Not. of Remov. at 8. They filed a first amended complaint on September 26, 2014, id. at 34, and defendants removed the action to federal court on November 18, 2014, see generally id. After private mediation, the parties agreed to settlement. See Mot. Prelim. Approv. at 10. While the parties did not engage in formal discovery, defendants voluntarily produced complete time and payroll records and other data for all the putative class members, which enabled plaintiffs' counsel to calculate the putative class members' unpaid back pay and penalties with a high degree of confidence. Id.
A. Preliminary Class Settlement Approval
On April 22, 2015, named plaintiffs filed an unopposed motion for (1) preliminary approval of the class action settlement; (2) provisional certification of the class and appointment of class counsel; (3) approval of the form and method of class notice; and (4) the scheduling of a final fairness hearing. Mot. Prelim. Approv., at 13-27. The court granted named plaintiffs' motions. Prelim. Approv. Order (Order) 20, ECF No. 28. The court conditionally certified the ///// following class:
[T]he non-exempt employees of Defendant Universal Ag Services who worked at the facilities operated by Defendant Penny Newman in California at any point in time from August 10, 2010 to January 15, 2015, and who do not properly and timely opt out of the Settlement Class by having requested exclusion.Id.
The court's preliminary approval came with four reservations, however. First, the court was concerned with the "clear-sailing" provision of the agreement. Id. at 14 (citing In re Bluetooth Headset Prods. Liab. Litig. ("Bluetooth"), 654 F.3d 935, 942, 947 (9th Cir. 2011)). In the agreement, defendants and their attorneys agreed not to oppose any application for attorneys' fees or costs by class counsel, so long as their application was consistent with the settlement agreement. Id. The court asked parties to provide information sufficient to determine the reasonableness of the agreed fee, "for example by providing information with which the court may compare it to a lodestar award." Id.
Second, the court was concerned with plaintiffs' requests for incentive awards, noting such awards "are not to be given routinely" without some justification. Id. at 15 (citing Morales v. Stevco, Inc., No. 09-00704, 2011 WL 5511767, at *12 (E.D. Cal. Nov. 10, 2011)). The court ordered each named plaintiff to provide "a detailed declaration describing his or her current employment status, any risks he or she faced as a class representative, specific activities he or she performed as a class representative, and the amount of time he or she spent on each activity." Id. The court noted it would also assess whether each requested award was excessive. Id.
Third, the court was concerned about the reasonableness of settlement negotiations, and asked the parties for information about their mediation to assess the settlement's reasonableness. Id. at 16 (citing Manual For Complex Litigation (MCL) § 21.61 (4th ed. 2004)).
Finally, the court was concerned with putative class members releasing their claims even if they did not "receive a notice packet [when] for instance, the notice packets [we]re returned as undeliverable." Id. at 16. The court noted "[t]his aspect of the [s]ettlement [a]greement may not sufficiently protect absent class members' due process rights." Id. The court ordered the parties to be prepared to explain how the notice provision was fair. Id.
B. Key Terms of Settlement Agreement
The parties submitted the instant motion for final approval of the class settlement on December 18, 2015. See generally Mot. Under the settlement agreement, defendants agreed to pay a gross settlement amount ("GSA") of $600,000. Barnett Decl. #2 Ex. A at 4, ECF No. 32-3. The GSA includes enhancement awards for named plaintiffs, class counsels' attorneys' fees, litigation expenses and costs, and all costs of settlement administration. Id. at 7. The GSA does not include defendants' share of payroll taxes. Id. at 8-10. The GSA of $600,000 is to be distributed as follows:
1. The enhancement amount awarded to named plaintiffs is $50,000—$10,000 for each named plaintiff;Id. After deducting these distributions from the GSA ($600,000 - $241,009.41) the settlement amount available to putative class members would be $358,990.59. Id.
2. The amount to be paid for class counsel is $150,000, or twenty-five percent of the GSA;
3. The amount to be paid for litigation expenses is $7,018.83;
4. The PAGA payment is $10,000, $7,500 of which will go to the California Labor Workforce Development Agency as its seventy-five percent share of PAGA penalties, with $2,500 distributed to the class on a pro rata basis; and
5. The class administrator will receive $26,490.58.
C. Notice to and Response from Class Members
The putative class consists of eighty members, fewer than originally expected due to duplicative names in the original count, Smith Decl. 2, ECF No. 32-10. On July 20, 2015, the class administrator sent notice packets to members with available addresses, sixty-two in total. Id. at 2. The notice packets, printed in English and Spanish, were made up of a class notice, a dispute form, and a consent form to join the action. Further Notice Stipulation ("Not. Stip.") 2, ECF No. 30. Of the sixty-two packets mailed, ten were returned as undeliverable. Smith Decl. at 2. The class administrator re-mailed five of the returned notice packets after finding updated addresses. Id. at 3.
Because most, if not all, of the missing class members were monolingual Spanish speakers, the class administrator made additional efforts by publishing a summary notice in Vida en el Valle, a Spanish language newspaper in Fresno County, on July 29, 2015. Id. at 3. The notice, drafted in English and Spanish, detailed the description of the lawsuit, terms of the proposed settlement agreement, and details about the opt-out procedure. Smith Decl. Exs. A-B. The administrator established a toll-free telephone number to an English or Spanish operator, available weekdays between 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., so putative class members could ask questions or request notice packets. Id. Missing members had until October 3, 2015 to join the action or to opt out. Id. The class administrator received nine forms from missing members affirmatively consenting to join the action, with zero opt-out requests. Id.
II. CLASS CERTIFICATION
Although the parties have not specifically stipulated a class exists, they have submitted a proposed order with language confirming certification. See ECF No. 32-14. A party seeking to certify a class must demonstrate the class meets the requirements of Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 23(a) and at least one of the requirements of Rule 23(b). Amchem Prods., Inc. v. Windsor, 521 U.S. 591, 614 (1997). The court must undertake the Rule 23 inquiry independently. West v. Circle K Stores, No. 04-0438, 2006 WL 1652598, at *2 (E.D. Cal. June 12, 2006).
Under Rule 23(a), before certifying a class, the court must be satisfied that: (1) the class is so numerous that joinder of all members is impracticable (the "numerosity" requirement); (2) there are questions of law or fact common to the class (the "commonality" requirement); (3) the claims or defenses of representative parties are typical of the claims or defenses of the class (the "typicality" requirement); and (4) the representative parties will fairly and adequately protect the interests of the class (the "adequacy of representation" inquiry). Collins v. Cargill Meat Solutions Corp., 274 F.R.D. 294, 300 (E.D. Cal. 2011); Fed. R. Civ. P. 23(a).
Where, as here, named plaintiffs seek certification under Rule 23(b)(3), the court must find also that "'questions of law or fact common to class members predominate over any questions affecting only individual members, and that a class action is superior to other available methods for fairly and effectively adjudicating the controversy.'" Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. v. Dukes (Dukes), 564 U.S. 338, 362 (2011) (quoting Fed. R. Civ. P. 23(b)(3)). The matters pertinent to these findings include: (A) the class members' interests in individually controlling the prosecution or defense of separate actions; and (B) the extent and nature of any litigation concerning the controversy already begun by or against class members; (C) the desirability or undesirability of concentrating the litigation of the claims in the particular forum; and (D) the likely difficulties in managing the class action. Fed. R. Civ. P. 23(b)(3)(A)-(D); see also Zinser v. Accufix Research Inst., Inc., 253 F.3d 1180, 1191 (9th Cir. 2001).
Here, as noted, named plaintiffs seek certification of the following class for settlement purposes: "non-exempt employees of [d]efendant Universal Ag Services who worked at the facilities operated by [d]efendant Penny Newman in California at any point in time from August 10, 2010 to January 15, 2015 and who do not properly and timely opt out of the Settlement Class by requesting exclusion." Barnett Decl. Ex. A at 4. Also as noted, the court preliminarily certified the proposed class, finding initially it satisfied the numerosity, commonality, typicality, adequacy, predominance, and superiority requirements of Rule 23(a) and 23(b)(3). Order at 5-9.
For purposes of final approval, the court determines whether the class ultimately satisfies Rules 23(a) and 23(b)(3).
A. Numerosity
In its order granting preliminary approval, the court found the numerosity requirement met because the parties agreed the class had ninety-four employees. Order at 6.
Although there is no absolute numerical threshold for numerosity, courts have approved classes of, for example, thirty-nine, sixty-four, and seventy-one plaintiffs. Murillo v. Pac. Gas & Elec. Co., 266 F.R.D. 468, 474 (E.D. Cal. 2010) (citing Jordan v. L.A. Cnty., 669 F.2d 1311, 1319 (9th Cir. 1982), vacated on other grounds, 459 U.S. 810 (1982)). While the class size has decreased to eighty members, it still surpasses the number of members approved in past cases. See id. The class still remains large enough to satisfy the numerosity requirement.
B. Commonality
In preliminarily approving the class, the court found the commonality requirement met because there were questions and issues common to the class. Order at 6.
To satisfy the commonality requirement, plaintiffs must do more than show "that they have all suffered a violation of the same provision of law." Dukes, 564 U.S. at 350. Class claims must depend upon a common contention that "must be of such a nature that it is capable of classwide resolution—which means that determination of its truth or falsity will resolve an issue that is central to the validity of each one of those claims in one stroke." Id. It is not so much that the class raises common questions; what is necessary is "the capacity of a classwide proceeding to generate common answers . . . ." Id. "[T]he merits of the class members' substantive claims are often highly relevant when determining whether to certify a class." Ellis v. Costco Wholesale Corp., 657 F.3d 970, 981 (9th Cir. 2011).
Here, there remain several issues common to the class: whether class members were entitled to overtime pay, and if so, whether they were properly paid under the California Labor Code; whether class members were properly paid under the FLSA; whether class members were entitled to a third meal break; whether class members were entitled to statutory penalties; and whether defendants provided plaintiffs with accurate pay records. See Mot. Prelim. Approv. at 10-15; see also Barnett Decl. # 2 ¶¶ 7-8, ECF No. 32-2.
These common issues satisfy the commonality requirement. See Ching v. Siemens Indus., Inc., No. 11-4838, 2013 WL 6200190, at *4 (N.D. Cal. Nov. 27, 2013) (finding commonality requirement satisfied where "the issues facing the class ar[o]se from common questions involving [the] [d]efendant's calculation and payment of wages and overtime"); Dilts v. Penske Logistics, LLC, 267 F.R.D. 625, 633 (S.D. Cal. 2010) (finding commonality requirement satisfied where plaintiffs identified "common factual questions, such as whether [the] [d]efendants' policies deprived the . . . class members of meal periods, rest periods, overtime pay, ///// and reimbursement . . . and common legal questions, such as [the] [d]efendants' obligations under [various sections of the] California Labor Code and California's Unfair Competition law").
C. Typicality
In the preliminary order, the court found the typicality requirement was satisfied because plaintiffs had the same or similar injury. Order at 7. Nothing before the court calls for changing this preliminary finding.
"'[T]he commonality and typicality requirements of Rule 23(a) tend to merge'" because both act "'as guideposts for determining whether maintenance of a class action is economical and whether the named plaintiff's claim and the class claims are so interrelated that the interests of the class members will be fairly and adequately protected in their absence.'" Dukes, 564 U.S. at 350 n.5 (citing Gen. Tel. Co. of Sw. v. Falcon, 457 U.S. 147, 157-58, n.13 (1982)). A court resolves the typicality inquiry by considering "whether other members have the same or similar injury, whether the action is based on conduct which is not unique to the named plaintiffs, and whether other class members have been injured by the same course of conduct." Ellis, 657 F.3d at 984. Here, the class members suffered similar injuries when defendants failed to comply with California and federal laws. This satisfies the typicality inquiry. See Murillo, 266 F.R.D. at 475.
D. Adequacy of Representation
In the preliminary order, the court found the named plaintiffs adequately represented the interests of the class. Order at 8. Nothing before the court calls for changing this preliminary finding.
To determine whether the named plaintiffs will protect the interests of the class, the court must explore two factors: (1) whether the named plaintiffs and counsel have any conflicts of interest with the class as a whole, and (2) whether the named plaintiffs and counsel vigorously pursued the action on behalf of the class. Hanlon v. Chrysler Corp., 150 F.3d 1011, 1020 (9th Cir. 1998); see also Clersceri v. Beach City Investigation Servs., Inc., No. 10-3873, 2011 WL 320998, at *6 (C.D. Cal. Jan. 27, 2011) ("(1) the class representative must not have interests antagonistic to the unnamed class members, and (2) the representative must be able to prosecute the action 'vigorously through qualified counsel.'").
With respect to the first factor, nothing in the record before the court suggests the representative plaintiffs have any conflicts of interest with the other class members. Because plaintiffs' class-wide claims appear to be "completely aligned with [those] of the class," Collins, 274 F.R.D. at 301, the court concludes there is no conflict.
With respect to the second factor, "[a]lthough there are no fixed standards by which 'vigor' can be assayed, considerations include competency of counsel and, in the context of a settlement-only class, an assessment of the rationale for not pursuing further litigation." Hanlon, 150 F.3d at 1021. In addition, a named plaintiff will be deemed adequate "as long as the plaintiff has some basic knowledge of the lawsuit and is capable of making intelligent decisions based upon [the plaintiff's] lawyers' advice . . . ." Kaplan v. Pomerantz, 131 F.R.D. 118, 121-22 (N.D. Ill. 1990).
Plaintiffs' counsel have described their experience in class-action cases and, specifically in class-action cases involving employment-related matters. See Barnett Decl. #1 ¶¶ 18-19, 25-30, ECF No. 24-2. Plaintiffs' counsel also describe the effort expended in the action thus far, which includes investigation into the strengths and weaknesses of the class claims and participation in private mediation with a highly experienced mediator. See id. ¶¶ 8-15. Additionally, plaintiffs have participated in the litigation process, see id. ¶ 9, which is a relevant factor in determining the adequacy of representation. See Sepulveda v. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., 237 F.R.D. 229, 244 (C.D. Cal. 2006).
The court finds the adequacy representation requirement satisfied.
E. Predominance
In the preliminary approval order, the court concluded plaintiffs met the predominance requirement because of the defendants' alleged failure to calculate wages and overtime, to account for meal periods and rest periods, and to provide reimbursements. Order at 9. Nothing before the court calls for changing this preliminary finding.
"The Rule 23(b)(3) predominance inquiry tests whether proposed classes are sufficiently cohesive to warrant adjudication by representation." Amchem, 521 U.S. at 623. Although predominance is similar to Rule 23(a)'s commonality requirement, it is more demanding. Id. at 624. To determine whether common questions predominate, the court must consider "the relationship between the common and individual issues" by looking at the questions that pre-exist any settlement. Hanlon, 150 F.3d at 1022. Additionally, the predominance inquiry focuses on the "notion that adjudication of common issues will help achieve judicial economy." In re Wells Fargo Home Mortg. Overtime Pay Litig., 571 F.3d 953, 958 (9th Cir. 2009). Here, the issues stemming from defendants' alleged conduct remain the same. See Barnett Decl. #1 ¶ 19. There is no suggestion that individual issues exist apart from the calculation of individual damages. The predominance requirement is satisfied.
F. Superiority
In the preliminary approval order, the court found plaintiffs satisfied the superiority requirement in light of the burden inherent in the bringing of several individual suits touching on the same or similar issues. Order at 9.
In resolving Rule 23(b)(3)'s superiority inquiry, the court should consider class members' interests in pursuing separate actions individually, any litigation already in progress involving the same controversy, the desirability of concentrating the litigation in one forum, and potential difficulties in managing the class action, although the last two considerations are not relevant in the settlement context. Schiller v. David's Bridal, Inc., No. 10-0616, 2012 WL 2117001, at *10 (E.D. Cal. June 11, 2012) ("In the context of settlement, however, the third and fourth factors are rendered moot and are not relevant . . . because the point is that there will be no trial . . . ." (citing Amchem, 521 U.S. at 620)).
As in the preliminary approval order, the court concludes here that if class members were to sue individually, each would bring essentially the same claims for relatively small sums and yet might have to expend substantial resources to cover litigation costs. See Barnett Decl. #1 ¶ 20. The court is not aware of, and the parties have not cited, any other similar litigation proceeding elsewhere. The class action here is the superior means of litigating plaintiff's claims.
G. Conclusion
In sum, the court finds plaintiffs satisfy Rules 23(a) and 23(b), and final approval of the class is appropriate. The court will certify the following class: "non-exempt employees of Defendant Universal Ag Services who worked at the facilities operated by Defendant Penny Newman in California at any point in time from August 10, 2010 to January 15, 2015 and who do not properly and timely opt out of the Settlement Class by requesting exclusion."
III. SETTLEMENT AND FAIRNESS
A. Legal Standard
When parties settle a class action, a court cannot simply accept the proposed resolution; rather it must also satisfy itself that the proposed settlement is "fundamentally fair, adequate, and reasonable." Hanlon, 150 F.3d at 1026. After preliminary certification and notice to the class, a court conducts a fairness hearing before finally approving any proposed settlement. Narouz v. Charter Commc'ns, Inc., 591 F.3d 1261, 1267 (9th Cir. 2010); Fed. R. Civ. P. 23(e)(2) ("If the proposal would bind class members, the court may approve it only after a hearing and on finding that it is fair, reasonable, and adequate."). A court must balance a number of factors in determining whether a proposed settlement is in fact fair, adequate and reasonable:
(1) the strength of the plaintiffs' case; (2) the risk, expense, complexity, and likely duration of further litigation; (3) the risk of maintaining class action status throughout the trial; (4) the amount offered in settlement; (5) the extent of discovery completed and the stage of the proceedings; (6) the experience and views of counsel; (7) the presence of a governmental participant; and (8) the reaction of the class members to the proposed settlement.Hanlon, 150 F.3d at 1026; Adoma v. Univ. of Phx., 913 F. Supp. 2d 964, 974-75 (E.D. Cal. 2012). The list is not exhaustive, and the factors may be applied differently in different circumstances. Officers for Justice v. Civil Serv. Comm'n of City & Cnty. of S.F., 688 F.2d 615, 625 (9th Cir. 1982). ///// /////
The court must consider the settlement as a whole, rather than its component parts; the settlement "must stand or fall in its entirety." Hanlon, 150 F.3d at 1026; but see In re HP Inkjet Printer Litig., 716 F.3d 1173, 1190 n.5 (9th Cir. 2013) (in concluding the proper amount of attorneys' fees, the agreement as a whole need not stand or fall on the amount). Ultimately, the court must reach "a reasoned judgment that the agreement is not the product of fraud or overreaching by, or collusion between, the negotiating parties, and that the settlement, taken as a whole, is fair, reasonable and adequate to all concerned." Officers for Justice, 688 F.2d at 625.
1. The Strength of Plaintiffs' Case
When assessing the strength of plaintiffs' case, the court does not reach "any ultimate conclusions regarding the contested issues of fact and law that underlie the merits of [the] litigation." In re Wash. Pub. Power Supply Sys. Secs. Litig., 720 F. Supp. 1379, 1388 (D. Ariz. 1989). The court cannot reach such a conclusion because evidence has not been fully presented and typically "settlements [are] induced in large part by the very uncertainty as to what the outcome would be, had litigation continued." Id. Instead, the court is to "evaluate objectively the strengths and weaknesses inherent in the litigation and the impact of those considerations on the parties' decisions to reach these agreements." Id.
While defendants deny they committed any illegal or wrongful acts, Barnett Decl. #2 Ex. A at 5, all parties agree plaintiff's case was strong and there was not much risk of losing on the merits or in losing at the class certification stage, Mot. at 12. Because the settlement achieves full and immediate compensation to class members who would likely have prevailed on the merits, this factor favors approving the settlement.
2. The Risk, Expense, Complexity and Likely Duration of Further Litigation
"Approval of settlement is 'preferable to lengthy and expensive litigation with uncertain results.'" Morales, 2011 WL 5511767 at *10 (quoting Nat'l Rural Telecomms. Coop. v. DIRECTV, Inc. (DIRECTV), 221 F.R.D. 523, 526 (C.D. Cal. 2004)). The Ninth Circuit has explained "there is a strong judicial policy that favors settlements, particularly where complex class action litigation is concerned." In re Syncor ERISA Litig., 516 F.3d 1095, 1101 (9th Cir. 2008) (citing Class Plaintiffs v. City of Seattle, 955 F.2d 1268, 1276 (9th Cir. 1992)). "'[I]t must not be overlooked that voluntary conciliation and settlement are the preferred means of dispute resolution. This is especially true in complex class action litigation . . . .'" Id. (quoting Officers for Justice, 688 F.2d at 625).
Here the parties have reached a reasonable voluntary agreement that will provide class members with immediate substantial relief while avoiding delays in continued litigation, which could be prolonged and expensive. While this wage and hour class action is not particularly complex, the amount offered in settlement renders a more favorable result unlikely. This factor favors approval of the settlement.
3. The Risk of Maintaining Class Action Status Throughout Trial
Neither party has discussed the risk of maintaining class action status up to and throughout trial. From reviewing the record and the pending motion, the court does not perceive a risk that plaintiff will be unable to retain class action status. This factor is neutral.
4. The Amount Offered in Settlement
The proposed settlement is not to be judged against "a hypothetical or speculative measure of what might have been achieved by the negotiators." Officers for Justice, 688 F.2d at 625; see also Collins, 274 F.R.D. at 302 (a court must "'consider plaintiffs' expected recovery balanced against the value of the settlement offer'" (quoting In re Tableware Antitrust Litig, 484 F. Supp. 2d 1078, 1080 (N.D. Cal. 2007)).
The class administrator has calculated the settlement amounts for all eighty class members. Mot. at 10; Barnett Decl. #2 ¶ 2. The average claim value is $4,450.12; the minimum claim value is $2,705.52; and the maximum claim value is $24,814.20. Mot. at 10. Counsel represent the proposed settlement provides "an early and extremely favorable settlement" for the class, who "will receive all of their back wages owed, including interest and liquidated damages." Id. at 12. On balance, this factor weighs in favor of approving the settlement.
5. The Extent of Discovery and the Stage of the Proceedings
"In the context of class action settlements, 'formal discovery is not a necessary ticket to the bargaining table' where the parties have sufficient information to make an informed decision about settlement." Linney v. Cellular Alaska P'ship, 151 F.3d 1234, 1239 (9th Cir. 1998) (quoting In re Chicken Antitrust Litig., 669 F.2d 228, 241 (5th Cir. 1982)).
Plaintiffs' counsel represents that the parties engaged in informal discovery and investigation and made repeated efforts to resolve the case. Barnett Decl. # 2 Ex. A at 5. Additionally, on January 15, 2015, defendants and named plaintiffs participated in a lengthy mediation before an experienced wage and hour and class action mediator, Jeffrey A. Ross, in Oakland, California. Id. The mediation included extensive discussion and examination of the parties' respective positions on the legal and factual issues raised by the class action. Id. While it does not appear extensive discovery was conducted, the court is satisfied informal discovery enabled the parties to reach a meaningful settlement agreement. This factor weighs in favor of approving the settlement. This also allays the court's concerns at the preliminary approval stage about the parties' negotiations.
6. The Experience and Views of Counsel
Class counsel are experienced practitioners who have successfully litigated many similar cases. Barnett Decl. #2 ¶ 15. For example, Della Barnett received her J.D. from UC Berkeley School of Law in 1979, maintained a practice representing low-wage immigrant workers, and has successfully litigated wage and hour class actions resulting in settlements of $1.1 million, $22.4 million, $7.4 million, and $ 7 million for cases in 2015, 2005, 2004, and 2002, respectively. Id. ¶ 20. Mr. Martinez graduated from UCLA law school in 1999 and has litigated over thirty wage and hour class actions. Id. ¶ 25. Based on their experience, class counsel believe the settlement is "more than reasonable and should be approved." Id. Given the experience of counsel and their views, this factor favors approving the settlement. See Barbosa v. Cargill Meat Solutions Corp., 297 F.R.D. 431, 447 (E.D. Cal. 2013).
7. The Presence of a Governmental Participant
This factor does not apply because no government entity participated in the case. In re Toys R Us-Delaware, Inc.--Fair & Accurate Credit Transactions Act (FACTA) Litig., 295 F.R.D. 438, 455 (C.D. Cal. 2014).
8. The Reaction of Class Members to the Proposed Settlement
"The absence of a large number of objections to a proposed class action settlement raises a strong presumption that the terms of a proposed class settlement action are favorable to the class members." DIRECTV., 221 F.R.D. at 529. Where there are no objections as here, the presumption is particularly strong. Lo v. Oxnard European Motors, LLC, No. 11-1009, 2012 WL 1932283, at *2 (S.D.Cal. May 29, 2012) (noting "the fairness of the terms of the settlement is bolstered by the fact that no objections were made").
At the final approval hearing, the parties confirmed that no opt-out forms or objections to the proposed settlement were filed or served on counsel. This factor weighs in favor of approving the settlement.
B. Collusion
Where the parties negotiate a settlement agreement before a formal class certification, as in the instant case, the court must evaluate the settlement for evidence of collusion with a "higher level of scrutiny." Bluetooth, 654 F.3d at 946. "Collusion may not always be evident on the face of a settlement, and courts therefore must be particularly vigilant not only for explicit collusion, but also for more subtle signs that class counsel have allowed pursuit of their own self-interests and that of certain class members to infect the negotiations." Id. at 947.
A few such signs may include: (1) a disproportionate distribution of the settlement to counsel; (2) a "clear-sailing" provision, under which the defendant agrees not to oppose an attorney's fee award up to a certain amount, id.; and (3) when the parties arrange for fees not awarded to revert to defendants rather than to be added to the class fund., id.
Here, class counsel seek $150,000, or twenty-five percent of the GSA. Mot at 9. The proposed distribution of the settlement to counsel is not disproportionate, and is within a percentage range acceptable by the Ninth Circuit. The first sign weighs in favor of finding no collusion.
As to the second sign, the court previously has raised its concern regarding the settlement's "clear-sailing" provision. See Order at 14. The court asked the parties to provide "information sufficient to allow the court to determine the reasonableness of the agreed fee." Order at 14. While defendant agreed not to oppose class counsel's request for attorney's fees, those fees will come from the settlement fund, so that provision does not raise concern. See Rodriguez v. W. Publ'g Corp., 563 F.3d 948, 961 n.5 (9th Cir. 2009) (collusion generally inferred from a "clear-sailing" provision where attorney's fees are paid on top of the settlement fund). This factor weighs in favor of finding no collusion.
As to the third factor, an agreement for unrewarded funds to revert back to defendants is not present here, because the settlement agreement provides that any remaining fees will be distributed to an appropriate cy pres beneficiary. This factor weighs in favor of finding no collusion.
On the current record, the court does not find evidence of collusion. The lack of such evidence weighs in favor of approving the settlement.
C. Attorneys' Fees, Costs, and Incentive Award
1. Requests for Attorneys' Fees
Rule 23 permits a court to award "reasonable attorney's fees . . . that are authorized by law or by the parties' agreement." Fed. R. Civ. P. 23(h). Even when the parties have agreed on an amount, the court must award only reasonable attorneys' fees. Bluetooth, 654 F.3d at 941. "Where a settlement produces a common fund for the benefit of the entire class, courts have discretion to employ either the lodestar method or the percentage-of-recovery method." Id. at 942. Courts should employ the lodestar method where, for example, awarding twenty-five percent of a "megafund" would yield windfall profits for class counsel in light of the hours spent on the case. Id. But here, where the "benefit to the class is easily quantified" in a common-fund settlement, the court can employ the percentage-of-recovery method. Id. The Ninth Circuit has held that the court may, but is not required to, compare the lodestar and the percentage benchmark to determine if requested attorneys' fees are inappropriately high or low. Fischel v. Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States, 307 F.3d 997, 1007 (9th Cir. 2002) (finding no error where district court awarded fees under lodestar method and failed to compare lodestar with 25 percent benchmark). Overall, the goal is to produce a reasonable result. Bluetooth, 654 F.3d at 942.
In the Ninth Circuit, the benchmark for percentage-of-recovery awards is twenty-five percent of the total settlement award, which may be adjusted up or down. Hanlon, 150 F.3d at 1029; Ross v. U.S. Nat'l Bank Ass'n, No. 07-02951, 2010 WL 3833922, at *2 (N.D. Cal. Sept 29, 2010). Factors that may justify departure from the benchmark include: (1) the result obtained; (2) the risk involved in the litigation; (3) the contingent nature of the fee; (4) counsel's efforts, experience, and skill; and (5) awards made in similar cases. Vizcaino v. Microsoft Corp., 290 F.3d 1043, 1048-50 (9th Cir. 2002).
"The twenty-five percent benchmark rate, although a starting point for analysis, may be inappropriate in some cases. Selection of the benchmark or any other rate must be supported by findings that take into account all of the circumstances of the case." Id. at 1048. "[T]he exact percentage varies depending on the facts of the case, and in most common fund cases, the award exceeds that benchmark." Vasquez v. Coast Valley Roofing, Inc., 266 F.R.D. 482, 491 (E.D. Cal. 2010); Williams v. Centerplate, Inc., No. 11-2159, 2013 WL 4525428, at *7 (S.D. Cal. Aug.26, 2013) (concluding an award of attorneys' fees in the amount of 30 percent of the common fund, or $195,000 was reasonable); In re Activision Sec. Litig.,723 F. Supp. 1373, 1377 (N.D. Cal. 1989) (noting "nearly all common fund awards range around 30%").
Here, class counsel request an attorneys' fee award of twenty-five percent or $150,000, the benchmark proportion. The court finds the fee request is reasonable because counsel obtained an early settlement and favorable result per class member, while avoiding increased costs and uncertainties of litigation. See Vasquez, 266 F.R.D. at 492 (result favorable where 56 employees were to receive a recovery of $2,600 per employee); see also Ching, 2014 WL 2926210, at *7 (noting "the overall result and benefit to the class from the litigation is the most critical factor in granting a fee award"). Additionally, class counsel handled the case on a contingent fee basis, Barnett Decl. #2 ¶ 26, and courts have long recognized the public policy of rewarding attorneys for accepting contingent representation in appropriate cases. See In re Wash. Pub. Power Supply Sys. Sec. Litig., 19 F.3d 1291, 1299 (9th Cir. 1994) ("It is an established practice in the private legal market to reward attorneys for taking the risk of nonpayment by paying them a premium over their normal hourly rates for winning contingency cases."). Finally, the experience of class counsel also supports a twenty-five percent award. The four attorneys who represent the class, Della Barnett, Erandi Zamora, John Hill, and Enrique Martinez, have successfully litigated a number of similar cases. Barnett Decl. #2 ¶ 15. Class counsel will be awarded attorneys' fees in the amount of $150,000, or 25 percent of the common fund.
2. Requests for Costs
The court also must determine an appropriate award of costs and expenses. Fed. R. Civ. P. 23(h). "[I]n evaluating the reasonableness of costs, the judge has to step in and play surrogate client." FACTA, 295 F.R.D. at 469 (quoting Matter of Cont'l Ill. Sec. Litig., 962 F.2d 566, 572 (7th Cir.1992)). Here, class counsel avers that the combined unreimbursed costs total a modest $7,018.83, including "$5,000 for one-half the cost of the mediator and $2,18.83 in other miscellaneous expenses, including mileage, filing fees, postage, hotel fees for the named plaintiffs, parking, jury fees, costs of service, and other normal litigation costs." Barnett Decl. #2 ¶ 29. The costs requested reflect no surcharge, and are supported by counsel's records, "prepared from invoices, vouchers, and check records." Id.
The court finds the costs requested to be reasonable.
3. Incentive Award
Each named plaintiff requests an incentive award of $10,000, or $50,000 for all five named plaintiffs combined. Barnett Decl. #2 ¶ 17. Generally speaking, incentive awards are meant to "compensate class representatives for work done on behalf of the class, to make up for financial or reputational risk undertaking in bringing the action, and, sometimes, to recognize their willingness to act as a private attorney general." Rodriguez, 563 F.3d at 958-59. While such awards are fairly typical in class action cases, id. at 958, the decision to approve such an award is a matter within the court's discretion, In re Mego Fin. Corp. Sec. Litig., 213 F.3d 454, 463 (9th Cir. 2000).
In determining whether to approve an incentive award, courts may consider the following factors: (1) the risk to the class representative in commencing suit, both financial and otherwise; (2) the notoriety and personal difficulties encountered by the class representative; (3) the amount of time and effort spent by the class representative; (4) the duration of the litigation; and (5) the personal benefit (or lack thereof) enjoyed by the class representative as a result of the litigation. Van Vranken v. Atl. Richfield Co., 901 F. Supp. 294, 299 (N.D. Cal. 1995).
With respect to the first factor, plaintiffs contend that by initiating the instant case, they shouldered a degree of personal risk, including financial liability if defendant prevailed and reduced future employment prospects in plaintiffs' field of work. Barnett Decl. #2 ¶ 18; Torres Decl. ¶ 13, ECF No. 32-4. For example, Mr. Torres was terminated due to pursuing this suit, but still chose to pursue it anyways in the interest of changing working conditions. Torres Decl. at 4. Those risks are relevant factors in evaluating an incentive award request. See Staton v. Boeing Co., 327 F.3d 938, 977 (9th Cir. 2003). The first factor weighs in favor of granting an incentive award to plaintiffs.
With respect to the second factor, nothing in the record suggests the litigation gained any particular notoriety. This factor is neutral. See Ogbuehi v. Comcast, Inc., No. 13-00672, 2015 WL 3622999, at *13 (E.D. Cal. June 9, 2015).
With respect to the third factor, plaintiffs state they engaged in significant work personally in moving this case forward. Barnett Decl. #2 ¶ 18; Torres Decl. ¶ 5. This work included assisting class counsel in investigating the case, speaking with other workers about the case, and taking uncompensated time off work to travel from Fresno to Oakland to attend the mediation. Torres Decl. ¶ 5. Because plaintiffs expended reasonable efforts and were involved in the mediation, this factor weighs in favor of granting them each an incentive award.
With respect to the fourth factor, the litigation of this case was not protracted; the case was initiated in August 1, 2014 in Fresno County Superior Court, Not. of Remov., removed to this court in November 2014, id., and settled as a result of a mediation session held in Oakland, California on January 15, 2015, Barnett Decl. #2 Ex. A at 5. Given the relatively modest length of the litigation, the court finds the fourth factor neutral. Cf. Van Vranken, 901 F. Supp. at 299 (where the class representative's "participation lasted through many years of litigation [,]" an incentive award was appropriate); see also Ogbuehi, 2015 WL 3622999, at *14 (E.D. Cal. June 9, 2015).
With respect to the fifth factor, personal benefit enjoyed by plaintiffs, under the class settlement agreement, plaintiffs will not gain any benefit beyond that gained as class members. See FACTA, 295 F.R.D. at 472 (C.D. Cal. 2014) ("An incentive award may be appropriate when a class representative will not gain any benefit beyond that he would receive as an ordinary class member."). This factor weighs in favor of granting an incentive award.
On balance, the relevant factors favor granting an incentive award. However, the court finds the requested incentive award to be excessive, for it is nearly two times the amount typically deemed reasonable. See, e.g., In re Mego Fin. Corp. Sec. Litig., 213 F.3d at 463 (approving a $5,000 incentive award); Ching, 2014 WL 2926210, at *9 (approving a $5,000 incentive award and noting that in the Northern District, "a $5,000 incentive award is presumptively reasonable"); see also FACTA, 295 F.R.D. at 470 (approving a $5,000 incentive award). Considering the average claim per plaintiff ranges from $2,705.52 to $4,450.12, the incentive award requested would also be two times the highest average claim. Additionally, the award as requested is 8.3 percent of the common fund, a percentage higher than in Staton, where the Ninth Circuit overturned a class action judgment that included an incentive award of six percent of the common fund. 327 F.3d at 976-77.
On the other hand, the court finds the requested incentive award is warranted for Mr. Torres. Mr. Torres spent more time than average assisting with the litigation and was terminated based on the suit against the defendants. See, e.g., Gallucci v. Boiron, Inc., No. 11-2039, 2012 WL 5359485, at *10 (S.D. Cal. Oct. 31, 2012) (awarding higher incentive award to named plaintiff who contributed more time and expense in seeing the case to fruition); Hughes v. Microsoft Corp., No. 93-0178, 2001 WL 34089697, at *13 (W.D. Wash. Mar. 26, 2001) (same). The higher incentive award does not contravene case law in this circuit; with it, total incentive awards amount to $30,000, or five percent of the gross settlement amount, less than the six percent of the settlement amount found excessive in Staton.
In sum, the court grants a $10,000 incentive award to Mr. Torres and a $5,000 incentive award to each of the other named plaintiffs.
4. Class Administrator's Fee
Plaintiff also requests the court approve administrative costs in the amount of $26,490.58, to be paid to the third-party class administrator. Mot. at 9. The class administrator itemizes that amount as follows:
Notification—$15,195.20.
Processing and Reporting—$1,706.50.
Distribution—$9,588.88.
The administrator's responsibilities included handling eighty claims. Not. Stip. at 2. Despite additional efforts made to reach absent class members, the parties have not shown why $26,490.58, is warranted here. See Ching, 2014 WL 2926210, at *2 (approving an estimated $15,000 claims administrator fee for sixty-eight claims); Ozga v. U.S. Remodelers, Inc., No. 0905112, 2010 WL 3186971, at *2 (N.D. Cal. Aug.9, 2010) (granting $10,000 to the claims administrator for 156 claims); Chu v. Wells Fargo Investments, LLC, No. 05-4526, 2011 WL 672645, at *1 (N.D. Cal. Feb. 16, 2011) (granting $40,528.08 in costs for 1,320 class members and $6,900,000 settlement amount). Accordingly, the court approves the class administrator fee in the amount of $20,000. See Vasquez, 266 F.R.D. at 484 (approving $25,000 administrator fee awarded in wage and hour case involving 177 potential class members).
D. Notice to Absent Class Members
In the order granting preliminary approval, the court noted its reservations regarding the parties' plan for notice to absent class members. Order at 16. Specifically, the court was concerned the parties' settlement obligated absent class members to release their claims, even if they did not receive a payment and even if their notice packets were returned as undeliverable. Id. The court asked the parties to explain how this plan complied with the fairness requirement. Id.
During the final approval hearing, counsel explained they decreased the number of potential class members from ninety-four to eighty after checking for duplicate names. Of the eighty class members, sixty-two notice packets were sent to members for whom addresses were identified. Not. Stip. at 2. Ten of these were returned as undeliverable. Smith Decl. at 3. Of these ten, five were sent back out with updated addresses, id., with an unknown number undelivered. To reach unknown class members, the parties agreed to publish notices in a popular Spanish newspaper in the Fresno area. Not. Stip. at 2. Additionally, the administrator established a toll-free telephone number with an English or Spanish operator answering, Monday through Friday from 7:00 am to 5:00 p.m., so putative class members could ask questions or request notice packets. Id. Previously unidentified class members had until October 3, 2015 to join the action or to opt out. Id. The class administrator received nine forms from formally missing members affirmatively consenting to join the action, with zero opt-out requests. Id.
These additional efforts ensured class members were provided adequate notice regarding their ability to join or opt out of the class. See In re Valdez, 289 F. App'x 204, 206 (9th Cir. 2008) (publication of deadline for filing claims to participate in class action settlement in local newspapers for three consecutive weeks did not violate due process). The parties have addressed the court's concerns about notice to absent class members.
E. Cy Pres Distribution
Because most class action settlements result in unclaimed funds, a plan is required for distributing those funds. Six Mexican Workers v. Ariz. Citrus Growers, 904 F.2d 1301, 1305 (9th Cir. 1990). Cy pres distribution allows unclaimed funds to benefit the entire class, albeit indirectly. Id. at 1305. This approach requires the cy pres award to qualify as "the next best distribution" to giving the funds directly to the class members. Dennis v. Kellogg Co., 697 F.3d 858, 865 (9th Cir. 2012).
"Not just any worthy charity will qualify as an appropriate cy pres beneficiary[;]" there must be "a driving nexus between the plaintiff class and the cy pres beneficiary." Id. A cy pres distribution is an abuse of discretion if there is "no reasonable certainty" that any class member would benefit from it. Id.
The parties have designated a charity to receive any residual funds not distributed through the class action settlement: Central California Legal Services ("CCLS"), a nonprofit legal services program serving California's Central Valley. Barnett Decl. #2 ¶ 19. In preliminarily approving the parties' settlement agreement, the court noted that at the final hearing it would require counsel to address the "reasonable certainty" standard set forth above. Having considered the parties' responses, the court finds its concerns have been addressed. First, the members of the class, including absent class members, live in the Central Valley. Mot. at 17; Clason Decl. ¶¶ 12-14. Second, CCLS supports projects that would benefit class members. See id. The gravamen of plaintiff's complaint is that the class members did not receive pay and benefits to which they were entitled under California and federal labor laws. In 2015, CCLS opened 6,801 client case files and provided legal assistance to more than 13,000 persons, providing consultation, advice, and full-service representation in cases involving wage claims and other employment issues, among other matters. Mot. at 18. The court finds it is appropriate in this case to direct unclaimed funds to CCLS as a charity that assists residents of the Central Valley with their wage and hour rights. See id. at 17; see also Lane v. Facebook, Inc., 696 F.3d 811, 820-21 (9th Cir. 2012) (declining to require "that settling parties select a cy pres recipient that the court or class members would find ideal. On the contrary, such an intrusion into the private parties' negotiations would be improper and disruptive to the settlement process.").
IV. CONCLUSION
In conclusion, the court APPROVES the class settlement as follows:
1. The court AWARDS an incentive payment of $10,000 to Edgar Torres and $5,000 each to class representatives Jesus Palacios, Jose Palacios, Alejandro Herrera Aguilar, and Sabas Medina;
2. The court APPROVES Central California Legal Services (CCLS) as the cy pres beneficiary;
3. The court AWARDS administration costs in the amount of $20,000 to the class administrator Gilardi & Co. LLC;
4. The court APPROVES the PAGA payment of $7,500 to be distributed to the California Labor Workforce Development Agency; and
5. The court APPROVES attorneys' fees in the amount of $150,000.00.
6. The court APPROVES reimbursement of costs in the amount of $7,018.83.
IT IS SO ORDERED. DATED: May 26, 2016.
/s/_________
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE