Cifuentes et al v. Regions Bank, No. 1:2011cv23455 - Document 203 (S.D. Fla. 2014)
Court Description: ORDER GRANTING PLAINTIFFS' MOTION FOR FINAL APPROVAL OF CLASS-ACTION SETTLEMENT, CLASS COUNSEL'S APPLICATION FOR SERVICE AWARDS, AND CLASS COUNSEL'S APPLICATION FOR ATTORNEYS' FEES AND EXPENSES. Signed by Chief Judge Federico A. Moreno on 3/20/2014. (err)
Download PDF
<![CDATA[
Cifuentes et al v. Regions Bank Doc. 203 UNI TED STATES DI STRI COURT CT SO UTH ERN D I STR I O F FLO RI A CT D M I ID I SI N AM VI O C as No.11 C V 23455 FA M e LAURA Y E TZA C I UE LI F NTES, nd a M E DE LASM ERCEDESSIVA CAS RLE L TRO, GE RD CAR A O tert l e tv RA O VAJ L, n h i p b hl w' a do b h fo l to esmia l sta e , n n e a fa lh s i lry i td u Pl ntf s ai i f , REGI BANK, ONS D e e nt f nda . O RDER G M NTI NG PLAI FFS' OTI FOR FI A PPROVAL OF C LAS - CTI SETTLEM ENT, NTI M ON NAL S A ON CLAS C OUNSEL' A PP CATI FOR SERVI A W ARDS AND S S LI ON CE , C LASS COUNSEL' A PPLI S CATI FOR A TTORNEYS'FEES AND E XPENSES ON THI CAUSE c e be or t Cour upon Pl i if 'M o i f rFi Appr lofCls S om s f e he t antfs ton o nal ova as Ac i Se te e , Cl s Cou els A pplc ton f Se v c A w a ds a Cl s Couns ' ton tl m nt as ns ' i a i or r i e r , nd as els Applc tonf Atome 'Fe sa Expens ( antf sç oton' ( E.1 1 Thi Cour hed iai or t ys e nd es Pli if s i ' D. 98 . s M ) t l atna f i es hea i on M a c 1 201 Fort r a onsexpli d be o , antfs' otonf i l am s rng r h 8, 4. he e s a ne l w Pli if M i or Fi Appr nal ovalofCl s Ac i Se te e i GRANTED,Cl sCouns ' Applca i f Se vie as - ton tlm nt s as els i ton or r c Awar i GRANTED,a Cls Couns ' Applca i f Atonwys Fe and Expens i ds s nd a s els i ton or t ' es es s G RANTED. Dockets.Justia.com O VERVI OF THE LI GATI EW TI ON Thi Aci c e nst s l ofç nvesmentPlns'by a e iy c s ton onc r he ae s l t a ' n ntt omm onl r f redt a y eer o s USPT.Pli if m ant i t t el nvesme Pl ' q lf asi e riis. Pli if a lge antfs i an hat hes i l t nt ans' uaiy L cu te ' a ntfs le d s ' t tUSPT enga d i t unlwf ls eofs h s c ii si of rasi wa enga d i busnes a ha ge n he a u al uc e urte ns a t s ge n i s s a de l rofs h s c ii wihou ha ng be n r se e t do s Pl i if mai an t tt ae uc e urtes t t vi e egit r d o o. antfs nt i ha he c onduc ofUSPT consiutsavi ai ofFl St .j517.2(1. t tt e olton a. at 1 ) l t n, a. a . 51 211 1 ceaesar med whent r i a undel ngvi ai ofFl n ur Fl Stt j 7. 4 ) r t e y hee s n ryi olton a. Stt j 51 1 1. l pe tnen pa tt saut pr dest tt pur s rofscurte s d i a. 7.2() n ri t r, he tt e ovi ha he cha e e iis ol n vi ai ofFl Sttj51 1 1 ma s f da s.Thesaut goesont pr det tpl ntfs olton a. a. 7.2() y ue or mage tt e o ovi ha ai if i s h a aci n m a s notonl t unr git r d de e , alo e chper on who qualfesasa n uc n to y ue y he e se e alr but s a s ii i r on makng t s e'ofs h s c ii - ie,e h pe s who qua ii asa ' e lr'ofs h i s pe i he al ' uc e urtes .. ac r on lfes ' le ' uc s s c iis I t sAci n,Pli if a lget tRe onse e urte . n hi to antfs le ha gi ngage i conduc t tma i la e a dn t ha kes t i bl s a G e l r ' t l t e Pl n s c ii . o le ' of he nvesm nt a e ur tes s Acc di y, antfsbr or ngl Pli if ought sngl cli a ns Re onsalegi t t a i e am gai t gi l ng ha Regi i labl ons s i e f t u a uls eofs curtesi vi ai ofFl Stt j51 211 ) or he nlwf al e ii n olton a. a. 7. 41. Pli if Se ond Ame antfs' c nded Cls - i Com pl ntdefne t Cl sa a s Acton ai i s he as s: AI pe s and entte who made i sme si an I t I r ons iis nve t nt n nvesmentPl (he an t $CI s' be we Septm ber21, * as ' t en ) e 2006 andAugus 31 2009(i as Perodn . t , icl s i ) Regi de est ti i la e t t Cl s u Fl St .j 51 211 1 ort ti di ons ni ha t s ibl o he as nder a. at 7. 4 ) ha t d a yhn u twad i c nu cin wihtesl o tel v sme t a s n t ig no r n o j n t o t h ae f h n e t n Pln . Page 2 of 15 PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND Pl ntfs fl t r orgi Cls Ac i Compl nt on Se e be 21 2011 a a ai if ied hei i nal a s ton ai ptm r , nd n Am e dCl sAc i Compli onFe uar 1 201 The e tr Re o fl a t Pa te nde as - ton ant br y 7, 2. r afe , gi ns ied, nd he ris f lybref d,apot ntal dipostve moton t dim is Aheror la gume be or t Cour f ul i e e i ly s ii i o s s. a r nt f e he t or t Cou te e e isO r rD e ng t M o i t D im i s he r nt r d t de nyi he ton o s s . Al ti dit l t r fe , gi tl d, ndt Pa te f l bre e amotons e ng mos mme a ey he ea tr Re ons i e a he ris uly i f d, i e ki l a t fl ape s i a e ve o ie nnisve ppea wih t El nt Cic tCour ofAppe lpur u t 28 U. C. l t he eve h r ui t a s ant o S. j 1 b) TheCou te ee is Or rGrntng I PM Dee 292( . r ntrd t de a i n fndantsMoton f Ce tfc e of ' i or riiat Appe a lt and alo sa d t smaterpe ng r viw by t Elve h Cic t The Elve h albiiy, s tye hi t ndi e e he e nt r ui. e nt Cic tde e Re ons Pe ii f Pennison t Appea . sCour t n lfe issa r ui nid gi ' tton or si o l Thi t he itd t tyands tt e he m a t rf t i l te or r a . The Cou tdenid ar we m oton t dimison Ocober 1 201 a c r e ene d i o s s t 0, 3, nd ouns f t el or he Pa tescon ctd vol nousdicovey,i l ng t pr ton ofm or t 400, pa of ri du e umi s l nc udi he oduc i e han 000 ges doc e s Couns lde e t le n vine s i Fl i Alba a,Te ,Ne Yor a um nt. e pos d hi e vt s es n orda, a m xas w k, nd Col bi W holy s pa a el t Pa te s r d s om a. l e r t y, he r i s e ve ubpoena a l i t t obt n di c y f om s low ng hem o ai s over r t cou ta nt d Spe alFi a y i t taci pendi i M im iDa Cou yCic tCour, he r- ppoi e ci ducir n ha ton ng n a - de nt r ui t syl l r .Ce t n Tr s Agr eme s M im iDa Count Cic tCa eNo. CP- C. 0 t ed n e. r ai u t e nt, a - de y r ui s 09- 659- 4 2 (heS rtPr t Aci ). t f s obae ton' Fi Complt y s pa a ey,Pl ntfs t aci i t ot r ltgatons. Fis,Pli if eel e r t l ai if ook ton n wo he ii i rt antfs r ognie t tt r wees cii f (he û manderFunds' atis i t Fis Pr t ec z d ha hee r pe tc unds t t Re i ' sue n he rt obae ) Ac i t ta gua ybe ong o t Cl s A ss h, ai if fl d am oton r ue tng pe m i s on ton,ha r bl l edt he a s. uc Pl ntf s ie i eq s i r si fom t sCour t de i f r hi t o post undspur ua t Rul 67,whi moton t sCour gr nt d.Shorl s nt o e ch i hi t a e ty t r afe ,Pl ntf s m oved t i e v ne i t Fis Pr t A c i t m a known t i c ai t he e t r ai i f o nt r e n he r t oba e ton o ke he r l m o Page 3 of 15 t Rema nde Funds Se he i r . cond, ai if fld a e iey s par t l ws ti cicui c tsyldl Pl ntf s ie n ntr l e ae a ui n r t our, t e n r Di sto o ma n rFu d Fr m Ce t nT u t e me t, imiDa Co nyCic i e s iin fRe ide n s o rai r s Agr e ns M n - de u t rut po Co r ca eNo. 3 2 7 - - 2(h i e o dP ob t Acin',orq e t p cfc l h th cr ut ut s 1 - 5 6 CP 0 te ç c n r ae to ' t e u s s e iial a t e ic i s l yt c u t su j rs ito o e teRe id r n s-p e ieys t a te c ul b ta se rdt o r a s me u idcin v r h man e Fu d rcs l o h th y o d e r n fre o t s Cour. Uli t l bot pr t a tons we e cons i t d,a t Fl rda c r ui c t hi t tma ey, h oba e c i r olda e nd he o i ic t our au horz d t ta f roft Re anderFundst t sCour.The e tr overt c s oft ee t i e he r nse he m i o hi t r afe , he our e hr dif r ntta ac ins t t a s of$1 557, 1 23wa tansere t t sCour. fe e r ns to , he ot l um 2, 8 8. s r f r d o hi tl Ast sma trd e ne rt de i t d tilda e, hePa tesi ens l bref d s g fc t hi te r w a he sgna e ra t t ri nt ey i e i niian moi i lmi a ot rpr-ra motons Tonoej tafw,hef l ngmatr weef l tons n i ne nd he etil i . t us e t olowi te s r uly bre e a d pe ng a t tmet Pa te e er d i o t Sele if d n ndi t he i he ri s nt e nt he tlmentAgr e e : e m nt * De e nt Re ons Bal s M o i I Li ne To Excude M e i of t SEC Ci l f nda gi r k' ton n mi l nton he vi Enf r eme Ac i Agans U SPT; o c nt ton i t * De enda tRegi Ba sM o i / Li ne To Excl M en i a TralofRe ons f n ons nk' ton n mi ude ton t i gi ' Co en Ag e me wih t SEC;a ns t r e nt t he nd Pl ntf s M o i t Per tUs ofSumm a y Evi nc ai if ' ton o mi e r de e; The e a s we e s ve a pot taly c s - s ii ma tr t twer f l bre e a r lo r e r l en i l a e dipostve te s ha e uly i f d nd pe ng a t tmet Pa te e t r d i o t Sete e Agr eme ,s c fc l ndi t he i he ri s n e e nt he tlm nt e nt pe ii aly: Pli if'M otonf Pari Summay J antfs i or tal r udgme g Libiiy) nt on a lt ; Plitfs Mo inf rPata S mmayJ d me t( nDa g s; an if' to o ril u r u g n o ma e ) Pl ntfs M o i f Cls Cerii a i a ai if ' ton or a s tfc ton; nd Def ntRegi Ba sM oton f Summar J m e . enda ons nk' i or y udg nt Fi l t Pa tes e naly, he r i xpende g ea ef or i ne i tng a r s uton of t s m a t .The d r t f t n gota i e ol i hi ter / t ef in s h a i g t e Cou ta r e t a c p a a ditona de ostof$ 265 1 At h a r e s e rn h r g e d o c e t n d ti l p i 4, . 2. Page 4 of 15 Pa te e gedi e e i me ai oft sm at rove t c s ofs ver lmont an di not ri s nga n xtnsve di ton hi te r he our e e a hs d d a eet t nnsuntlFrday, gr o e i i Nove b r8, 3 - ont e ofor lar m e 201 he ve a gume r ga di t Pa tes nt e r ng he ri ' cos- t nsfrs mmayj d me t n Pli tfs mo inf rca sc riiai na dj s we k r smoi o u r u g n a d an if' to o ls e t c to n u t e s o f b or t co m e m entoft s he ed t i pe i ef e he m nce he c dul ral rod. THE SETTLEM ENT A GREEM ENT TheSe teme r ovest cai pla a i t gi andpr de s t i mone a y tl nt es l he l m e ded gans Re ons ovi s ubsantal tr be ist t Cl s The ke f at e oft Se te neft o he as . y e ur he tl menti t c e ton ofa c s he r a i omm on f i t und n he a o of$1 053, 3. 1.TheSete e a s c ai m e ni ulno m one a y tr s m unt 3, 47 1 tlm nt l o ont ns a ngf ntr e m . The Sete e f t rdicl e t tCl sCouns ls l s k r as bl Senr e Awa ds tlm nt urhe s os s ha as e hal ee e ona e i c r f t Cls Re es ttvesa a a df at ne 'f s( t e ee 30% oft c or he a s pr enai nd n war or tor ys ee noto xc d he ommon f andt r mbure und) he ei s mentofe xpens -alt bepadfom t c es l o i r he ommonf nd. u The Sete e con e plt s t tt c mon f s l be alocaed pr r a t t tlm nt t m a e ha he om und ha l l t o at o he m e r oft Cl s s h t t a trpa mbe s he as , uc ha , fe ymen ofCou ta oved Ser ie Awa dst t Cls t r- ppr vc r o he a s Re e e atvesand Cour- ppr d a t ne f e a e ns ,t r pr s nt i ta ove tor ys' e s nd xpe es he emai ng pori oft ni ton he co mon f nd wilbepad t Cl s membe sbas dupon t a m u l i o as r e he mountofmone acualy i se i y t l nve td n l t nt a durngt cas pei ( usi ees)ls a rt nofi smen rcevedbyt nvesme Plns i he l s rod pl ntr t e s ny eur nvet t e i he Cls me r (pple on afrti frtoutbass.Thepr iepr oc f diti i oft a s mbe s a id is-n-isi) ecs ot ol or srbuton he co m on f nd i e ai d a g ea l ngt i t ac ual otc Fi ly, he Se te ent nt m pl t m u s xpl ne t r t e h n he t N i e. na l t tl m co e a es t a teCo r s alrs r ej rs cint s pevs t ec n u to a d a mi itain o te h t h u t h l e e v u idito o u r ie h o s mmai n n d nsrto f h Setl ent tem . C LASS NOTI CE Cl s Couns l we t gr t l t t m a s e t Cl s r c ve t bes N otc as e nt o ea eng hs o ke ur he a s e ei d he t ie pr i e. actcabl Pa 5 of 1 ge 5 Fis, a sCo n e rtie EpqCls Acina dM a sTo tS lto s l . i Q' t rtCls u s l ean d i a s to n s r ou in ,nc (EPl ' o û ) a ta Cl s A c i A d i s r t . c s a s ton m ni t a or Se d,Cl sCouns r t i M r Al M a ni who pr vi l ha bee r ai d b con as el e aned . do nci , e ousy d n et ne y USPT t c e t a m ant i is c t r da a s a t r afe was r t i d by t Spe a o r a e nd i an t usome t ba e nd he e tr e a ne he cil Fi i y a n e by t c ti t Fis Pr t Aci t m a n ai a updae t USPT ducar ppoit d he our n he rt obae ton o i t n nd t he c t e daaba ef pur e ofma ngditi tonsi t tma t r TheUSPT da a s con a ns usom r t s or pos s ki srbu i n ha te . t ba e t i t na e a l tknown a e s s f a lUSPT cusome swho pur ha e I t e Pl ns he m s nd as ddr s e or 1 t r c s d nvesm nt a , i l ng t name ofa 1Cl s membe s M r M a niwa dieced t cul fom t tda a e a nc udi he s l as r . . nci s r t o l r ha t bas c omplt ls ofUSPT c t m e swho m a conti i t a I sm e Pl n durng t cas ee it uso r de rbutons o n nve t nt a i he l s pe i Tha i t s y, r M a i wa die t d t cr a eacompl t ma lng ls f a1m e r rod. t s o a M . nc ni s r c e o e t ee ii it or 1 mbe s oft Cl s Ther s tngmalng ls t n waspr de t EPI f pur esofs ndi t he as. euli ii it he ovi d o Q or pos e ng he Q i l e Notc o l mber oft Cls on s he a s Cour- ppr d Notc t t cas . AndEPI tmeys nt iet a1me ta ove i e o he l s orbe or J nua y 1 201 f e a r 4, 4. Th r , h f lwig i fr to wa p se (n b t En ih a d S a ih o b t te id t e ol n no main s o td i o h gl n p ns ) n o h h o s we ie mai aned b t Spe ilFi ay k bst nti y he ca ducir www. ptpe ili i y.omland as on t us s cafducar c lo he webst prvi l manti byt Cour-ppoi edAdmi srt (ndc rntymanti by ie e ousy i aned he ta nt nitaor a ure l i aned EPI ( Q) - .s td nsrt rc ml u p a miitao .o ' . Thep rist t ca sa to pe dn i fd r lc u tsyld Cfu ne ,e a.v a t o he ls ci n n ig n e ea o r t e e e ts t l . Re onsBank Cas No. ICVgi , e 1 - 23455FAM , vea ee t t t r sofapr e ha gr d o he e m opos d stl ntA copyoft f l tcea o dbyt Couri atc ( ikhee eteme . he onna Noi ppr ve he ts ta hed clc r f rEn ls lgl k h r f rSp n s ) A c p o t Noie r b t En l h a d o gih ci ee o a ih . o y f he tc i oh gi n c n s Spa s wil s ntvi coure byDHL ( ot rrpua eca e)t almembe s nihj lbe e a ir or he e tbl ni r o l r oft Cls a t beta e si t posesi ofCl sc e ( s d on t he a s t he s ddrs n he s son as ouns l ba e he daa s prvi l mai ai db USPT)Thos whoaenotme r oft Cls tba e e ousy nt ne y . e r mbe s he a s a wiht behe r a t Fi lFaine sHe ng(odeemi whehert Cour nd s o ad t he na r s mi t tr ne t he t s l a o t pr e Sete nt mus fl a f ma motonwih t Cour hal pprve he opos d tlme ) t ie or l i t he t Page 6 of 15 s eki t i t r e i t s pr e di . e ng o n e v ne n he e oc e ngs Fourh, Cl s Couns s t up a s cily desg t a s gr gatd e mai addr s t as el e pe a l i naed nd e e e - l es g go s a s to sete n @d p ac mlt fediq ie r ltdt t eNoie Re in clsAcin tlme t k .o o il n ur s eae o h tc . Subsa i l t Notc de c i t naur hit y, nd sat oft Acto s t f t t tntvey,he ie s rbes he t e, sor a t us he i n; es orh he detnii oft Cl s ; c i st t r soft Setlmenta t pr e pl n ofditi in' i ton he a s des rbe he e m he te nd he opos d a srbuto , e a nst pr e et d out' t Setl ment e anst pr edur f Cl sme xpli he oc dur o i opt 'of he te ; xpli he oc e or as mber t so e tr na p aa c t r u hc u s l ndfl a o j cint t eS tlme ta e pan t ebn i g ne a p e rn e l o g o n e a ie n be to o h ete n ; nd x lis h id n z e f c o t Se te t i a ove The Notc a s di cos st tCl s Couns lwoul s ek f e t f he tl men , f ppr d. i e l o s l e ha as e d e r s eaonabl Se vceAwadsf t namedCls Re e e atve a a a r ofatonwys fes( e ri r orhe a s prs nt i s nd n wad t 'e not t e e 30% oft c o xce d he ommonf a ri reme ofras bl e ns s-alobepadfom und) nd embu s nt e ona e xpe e 1t i r t c he ommon f und. Fi ly,t N o i s i t dae,tme,a plce oft Fi lFa r s na l he tce upples he t i nd a he na ine s H e rng. ai DI SCUSSI ON T heC l s A c i Se t e e I A ppro d as - t on t l m nt s ve Unde Fed.R. v.P. ( ,igl cai ,is ,ordef e ofac ri e ca sma be r Ci 23e) çthe l ms sues ens s e tt d ls y i s te vol arl dim is d,orc etld, unt iy s s e ompr it onl wih t cour' a oval' om s d y t he ts ppr . ' l t sc e, hePa te agr e t t Se te e prort t c tfc ton oft Cls .The n hi as t ris e d o he tlm nt i o he erii a i he a s lw,o c u s , mb a e te n to t tça ca sma b c ri e s ll f rt p r o e o a f o re e rc s h o in ha $ 1 ls y e ett d oey o he u p s s f ( i s tl ntwhe e s tl nti r a he be or a ltga e de e mi ton oft cas c rii ton e teme r e teme s e c d f e ii t d t r na i he l s e tfcai is ' Liuma v. . prs Co.406 F.Sup z 1 98,1 3- 4 ( D.Fl 2 ) Butt lw i s ue. p ' Am Ex e s , p.d 2 31 1 S. a. 005 . he a s eq l c e rt tt r r m e t ofRul 23'de a undiut eve hei ene a t ton i t ualy l a ha he equie n s e i m nd l ed, n ght d, ten i n he s tem entcont .' etl ext' ' tl m e a e e sar hi y f vor d i t l w and w il uphel w he verpos i e ' te nt gr em nt e ghl a e n he a Se l be d ne sbl Pa 7 of 1 ge 5 bec us t ya eam e nsofami bl r s vi doubt a unc rantesa pr ve i lws t . a e he r a ca y e ol ng s nd e ti i nd e ntng a uis' ' I r Nis nM o o Cor Anttus Lii ,5 2 F. 1 8,1 ( t Ci.l 77) n e sa t r p. ir t tc. 5 2d 08 005 5h r 9 . Bu prort is ng fnala ova ofa c a s a ton s tl nt t Cour m us r vi w a t i o s ui i ppr l l s - c i eteme , he t t e e nd s ts y is fast t e c e c ponen s a i f t el o hr e or om t: Tha a ua eNotc wa pr de t t Cls ; t deq t i e s ovi d o he a s Thatt Setlmenti f i,a qua e a r a ona e a he te s a r de t , nd e s bl ; nd Tha t Cl s s ifest r quie t ofRul 23. t he a s atsi he e r men s e TheCour i s tsi d ast a1t e t s a ife o 1 hr e. He e t Co tfndst tt Se te ntwa no t pr tofcoluso r , he ur i ha he tl me s t he oduc l i n. l tndi t tt Se te n i ng ha he tl menti f r a quae,a r as s ai, de t nd e onabl t Cour e ua e t sx e, he t val t s he i f cor dic s d i Be e t Be i Cor , 37F.d 98 98 ( 1h Ci.1 4) a t s s us e n nn t v. hrng p.7 2 2, 6 1 t r 98 : ( )t lkei ofs ce sa til( t rngeofposi erc r ()t poi 1 he i lhood uc s tra;2) he a sbl e ovey; 3 he nt onorwhiht r c he angeofpos i er ove ya whi as te e i f i, qua e a sbl ec r t ch etlm nt s ar ade t , nd r s bl ( t compl t e ns anddurtonofltgai ,()t s tnc eaona e;4) he exiy, xpe e, ai ii ton' 5 he ubsa e a a nd mount oppostont t s tl nta ( t sa of oce ngsa whih of ii o he eteme ; nd 6)he tge pr edi t c s tl m e wasa hi ve e te nt c e d. 1. T he Li lhood ofSuc es atTr al ke i c s i Att tme t Pa tesag ee t t r s t r wasgr trs f i Pli if a t Cl s he i he ri r d o e m , he e ea ik acng antfs nd he as t t ul ha r uledi Pl n if andt Cls r c i f rl st t c mon f c e t d ha co d ve es t n aitfs he a s e overng a es han he om und r a e v s a- i t Se te e 0r f wor e not ng a al. i - v s he tl m nt , ar s , hi t l W ih r r t t c e is ofla lt t sca epr e e t ( mai hur est t t egad o he or sue ibiiy, hi s es ntd wo 2) n dl ha Pli if woul ha ha t c e ri or rt r ove a hi Fis,Pl i if wo d ha hadt antfs d ve d o l a n de o ec r nyt ng. rt antfs ul ve o esa i h t tt I s m e Pl qua iy a ' e r te 'unde a i a e l w .Se ond, ai tf s t bls ha he nve t nt ans lf s ' cu ii s ' s r pplc bl a c Pl n if w oul ha ha t e t i h t tRe onsqualf e asa ' e l r 'oft I s m entPl ns I or r d ve d o s abls ha gi ii s ' le ' he nve t s a . n de t r c ran hi Pl i if ha t pr vai on bot oft e a gum e s l eihe i s ha be n o e ove yt ng, a ntf s d o e l h hos r nt . f t r s ue d e de i ed adve s l t Pl ntf s t n Pl ntf sw oul notha r ove ed a hi a a l cd r e y o ai if , he ai i f d ve ec r nyt ng t l. Pag 8 of 1 e 5 And e n as umi t tPl ntfspr va ld on t c e is ofla lt i s d notbe ve s ng ha ai if e ie he or s ue i biiy, t houl pr um e t t antfswoul ha obt i dame ni u r ove y.Pl ntfsalege t da ges es d ha Pl i if d ve ane a ngf l ec r ai if l d he ma s t ne byt Cl se ee $38, 000.Butt tas umest tPl i if woul pr va lon t usai d he as xc d 000, ha s ha antfs d e i wo mai l ga ar um e s Fis , ai if woul ha ha t esa ih t tea h a e r c rbuton n e l g nt . rt Pl ntfs d ve d o t bls ha c nd ve y onti i m a by a lme r oft Cl s c sa as pa at ac i bl s c ii ta a ton unde t de l mbe s he a s ount s e r e, tona e e urtes r ns c i r he i sme - c son docrne.Se nve t ntde ii ti cond, ai if woul ha hadt esa iht tf Pl ntfs d ve o t bls ha undsr cevedb e i y me be soft Cl s - et rfom t s l- r c e cosng oft rac un sorfom diti tons m r he a s ihe r he e fdie t d l i hei co t r srbu i pa dby t Spe i lFi a y - s d be a i d on a trti frtou bassr t rt n a ls-ni he c a ducir houl pple i s-n-is- t i ahe ha a ti frtoutbass And i eihe is had be de de a r el t Pli if ,t n t da a s isi. f t r s ue en ci d dve s y o a ntf s he he m ge r ove a e by t Cl s lkey woul ha pl ec r bl he as i l d ve umm e e t a lve f r beow t amountoft t d o e l a l he he Setl ent. tem 2. T he R ange oft R ecovery he Thescon a t r fcor (..t rngeofposi erc r a t r ofpos i e e d nd hid a t s ie, he a sbl e ovey nd he ange sbl r oveya whi astlmen i f r a quae, ndr s na e)aee iycombi da nor ly ec r t ch ete t s ai, de t a ea o bl r asl ne nd mal c i r d i co e t l ma ngt se ua i t Coul tndst tt r ngeofpos i er cove y onsde e n nc r. n ki hi val ton he ' i ha he a t sbl e r ia s nywhe e fom $0 t mor t n $38 milon. Agans t ba kdr p,t Seteme c e t s a r r o e ha li i t he c o he tl nt r a e c mon f i e es of$13, 000,whih r pr e sappr m a ey 35% oft m a m um om und n xc s 000, c e es nt oxi t l he xi da a spotnta l r c a ebyt Cls .M ea ur da ns t rs pr s nt t Coul fnds m ge e ily e over bl he a s s e gai t he iks e e ed,he 'i t t t hea ha t mountofheSete e f lswihi t r ngeoft pos i er ove ya whihas tl me t tlm nt a l t n he a he sbl ec r t c e te nt i f i,a ua e, nd r s bl s a r deq t a ea ona e. 3. The Com pl t Expense.and D urat on oft Li i i exiv. i he tgaton Thi m a t ro ousy w asc pl x.Buti a s wase s te bvi l om e t lo xpens ve.l i ndee C l s Couns lha d, a s e d t ad nc mor t $1 000i expe e j tt ge t c et t poi oft Setlment Ha o va e e han 00, n ns s us o t he as o he nt he te . d Page 9 of 15 t sc epr ee dt til( pr s bl a l,he i sa t r s n t tt c t wo d hi as oc de o ra and, euma y, ppea) t n t tnds o ea o ha he oss ul ha pr ie ae c i r bl Fi ly, t t c i r ton ofdur ton,hec et mor t n ve olfr td onsde a y. nal as o he onsde a i a i t as ook e ha 2 % ye r t ge t t poitofSete nt Ha t sc epr e d t ti tnd,prs bl a s o t o he n tlme . d hi as oc ede o ral a e uma y, a a) t ni sa t ras t t c ewoul ha tke muchl ppe l,he t tnds o e on hathe as d ve a n ongert nt t ha ha. 4. The Subst ance and Am ountofO pposii t t Set l ent ton o he t em Thel r cogniest tfher aci nof hecas i a i pora f ct 'i evauatngac a s aw e z ha S e to t l s s n m tnt a or'n l i t lsac i n s tl m e . to e te nt NoCls me e o oh ritrse p ryha o jce t t Sete n , n ten mb r a s mb r r te ne etd a t s be td o he tlme t a d h u e ofi - ut 'i as l Outof5, me be soft Cl s onl 20 ha eece t t out'a û o s' s lo ow. opt 468 m r he as , y ve l td o i opt ' s oft M a c 3,201 de i - ie,f rl s t n 1 . he r h 4 adlne .. a e s ha % l i as no e t t t e n t t s lo t worhy ha ve hough Cls m e be s di nothave t do a hi t as m r d o nyt ng o pa tc pa e i t Se te en ,no f w e t n 33 m e be s of t Cl s t t tm e t sat i r i i t n he t l m t e r ha m r he a s ook he i o t e, n m i i t tt y a epa tc a l plas wih t Sete e and/ wih t pm i pa ei i. tng, ha he r ri ulry e ed t he tlm nt or s o ci t n t 5. The St oft Pr e nes atW hi h Se tem e W asA chi ve aee he oce di c t l nt e d He e,hema trobvi l ha adva edt t poi whe ePl ntfsha a ce st s fcint r t te ousy d nc o he nt r ai if d c s o ufi e i or tont evaua et me isoft c s a wei t be isoft s te nf ma i o l t he rt he a e nd gh he neft he etl ment i tf t agans urher ltga i The Pari ha compl e a ldicove y a f l bref cr smotonsf s mm a y ii ton. tes d etd 1 s r nd uly i ed os - i or u r j d me t ca sc riiain a da1 r-ra mo in . u g n, ls e t c to , n 1 p etil to s f T he Set l entC om ples w ih t Prerepui t ofR ul 23 tem i t he sies e Thi Cour pr vi l f s t e ousy oundt t rquie nt ofRul 23()a 23( ( aestsid hathe e r me s e a nd b)3) r aife her f pur e ofpr lm i y a ova . And t Cou the eb r t a est e fndi . M or e or pos s e i nar ppr l he r r y eier t hos i ngs e s e i c ly, t r g r t Rue2 ()teCo r fn st t( )h Cls i s n meo st aj id r p cf al wi e ad o l 3 a,h u tid ha: 1 te a s s o u r u h ton e i h ofalme r i i a tc e;( t r aeque tonsoflw a fctc l mbes s mprciabl 2) hee r si a nd a ommont a1me r of o l mbes Pa 1 of 1 ge 0 5 t Cls ;( t cl m oft Cl sRe esnttve i t ca oft cli ofalmembesoft he a s 3) he ai he as pr e ai s s ypi l he am l r he Cls ; nd( t Cl sRe eenai andCl sCounslfil a a quaeyha pr tce t a s a 4) he as pr s ttves as e ary nd de tl ve oe td he i e et oft Cl s And wihr r t Rul 23( ( ,t Cour fndst t ( t c ntr ss he as. t egad o e b)3) he t i ha : 1) he ommon quetonsofl a fctprdomi t ove i vi lis ;a ( acas a i i s rort si aw nd a e nae r ndi dua sues nd 2) l s cton s upei o oh ra albl meh d frt efi a defce ta j dc to of h p e e tc n r v ry. t e v i e t o s o h ar n fiin d u iain t e r sn o to es a Fi l Rul 23( sat t t$ c tha ce tfesacls mus a n cas c e. l naly, e g) t es ha û our t t rii a a s t ppoit l s ouns l' n ' a ntng, a sc elt Cour mus c i r ( )t wor c e hasdonei i ntf ngor ppoi i cls ouns ,he t t onsde: 1 he k ouns l n de iyi i si tngpotnta cli ;( couns ' e re i ha i ca sa i ,ot rc e nvetgai e il ams 2) els xpeince n ndlng ls ctons he omplx ltgai a t t sofcli ase tdi t a ton;3)c elsk e oft applca e ii ton, nd he ype ams sre n he ci ( ouns ' nowldge he i bl lw;a ( t rs c t tc e wilc a nd 4) he e oures ha ouns l l ommit rpr e i t cas .TheCour fndst t t o e esntng he l s ti ha D i on Ka a & Rot t i P. . Sa l h As a ia & Cox,LLC,a t Sive La Gr ha m d pl n hs e n, A , la trt nd he l r w oup ve s tsidalh p ee u sts Rue2 ( ) n o h r s h v d n a e c l n j bi p o e uig aife lte rrq ii of l 3 g a d t ewie a e o e n x el to n r sc tn e e a s tlng t sA c i n.As s h, he Cour a nt t l w f r sofDi ond Ka a & Rot t i nd e ti hi to uc t t ppoi s he a i m m pl n hs e n, P. ,Sa lh Asa ia& Cox,LLC,a t Sive lw Gr up a i as Couns .' A. la t rt nd he l r a o st s cl el' CONCLUSI REGARDI APPROVALOFCLAS ACTI SETTLEMENT ON NG SON For a lt f e ng r as ,Pl i if ' M oton f Fi l Appr l he or goi e ons antfs i or na ovalof Cl s - ton a s Ac i Se te e i G RANTED.Bu a n t d i t Cou ta pr ve No i e t e a m i sr tonoft e Se te nt tl m nt s t s o e n he r- p o d tc , h d nita i h tl me ma ivol t ( ormo er n o ditiu ins a we l st epos iii ofac e awa da tee y n ve wo 2) r ou ds f srb to , s l a h sblt y ypr s r t h nd o t diti tonp o o ol Se Notc ( E. 8 - a pp. 1 .Ass ch t Cou t h leai urs c i f he srbu i r t c . e ie D. 1 2 3) t 9- 1 u ,he r s alrt nj iditon ove t smater t Setl ent and t dit i i pr ocolt ent t n appr i e m otonsasm ay be r hi t , he tem , he srbuton ot o erai oprat i n c sayi c j ci wi tea nitai oft S tlme . e esr n onun ton t h dmi srton he ete nt h Servi Aw ardsA re Appropri e f t C l R epres ce at or he ass entatves i Cls Couns lha appled f a s r c a r i t a ountof $5, f e ch Cl s as e s i or e vie wa d n he m 000 or a as Page 11 of 1 5 Re e e atve.He e,heCls Re e e ai scea l devotd c i r etm ea r our est pr s nt i r t a s pr s nt tve l ry e onsde abl i nd es c o t sAc i Spe fc l t Cl s Re e e atve m ai ai d r a c ac w ih Cl s Couns , hi ton. cii aly, he a s pr s nt i s nt ne egul r ont t t a s el rs e ponde t wrte dico r eq ssa appe r f postons( c rquie MsCiu t d o itn s veyr uet,nd aed orde ii whih e rd . fenes a d Ms Ca to t ta e fo Co o i t M imi a d M r Cav j lt ta e fo a rmo e n . sr o rv l r m l mba o a , n . r aa o rv l r m e t, pr ncilct i Vene uel t Bogot Col a. I a ton,M s Ciuent a Ms Casr ovi a iy n z ao a, ombi) n ddii . f es nd . to ta ld fo Col bi t M i mit a tnd a f lda me a i of t s mat r M o eove ,no r vee r m om a o a o te ul- y diton hi te . r r o j cinsh v b e flda ans t erq e tdS r ieAwad .Ass h teCo r a p o e te be t o a e e n ie g i t h e u se e vc rs uc ,h u t p r v s h a ia i ofSer c Awa dsi t a ount $5, f ea h oft Cl sRe e e a i s-t be pplc ton vie r n he m of 000 or c he as pr s nt tve o pai fom t common f d r he und. Ass h,Cl s Couns lsa ia i f Se vie Awa dsi t a uc a s e ' pplc ton or r c r n he mountof$5, f ea h 000 or c oft na e C l s Re es nt tvesi G M NTED. he m d a s pr e a i s C l sC ouns l sA pplca i f At or ys Fe s and Expe es as e' i t on or t ne ' e ns Cl sCouns l fl a a i tonf at ne 'e equa t t rypece ( %)ofhe as e has ied n pplcai or tor ys fes lo hit r nt 30 t $1 053, c 3, 473 ommon f nd c e t d t ough t i eforsi pr e utng a s tlng t sAc i u r a e hr her f t n os c i nd e ti hi ton. Asr c ze byt Unie St t Supr m eCour,he1 i welesa ihe t ti ltga e ogni d he t d aes e tt aw s l t bls d ha $ ii nt a orlwye whor cove sac mon f f t bene i ofpe s ot rt n hi eforhi c inti a r e r om und or he ft r ons he ha ms l s le s e il d t a r as bl a t e sf e f om t f nd a a w hol ' Bo n Co. Va Ge r, 44 U. ntte o e ona e tom y' e r he ' u s e. ei a v. n me t 4 ' S. 47 478( 98 . And a t Elve h Cic tm a cea i Camde lCondo. s nv.Dunkl , 2, 1 0) s he e nt r ui de l r n n As ' e 946 F.d7 8( 1h Ci.1 91,h 1w i e u lywe l sa ih di ti j rs ito t a dato n ys 2 6 1 t r 9 )t e a s q al l etbl e n h s u idcin h ts ltr e ' s g f e a a de f om a com m on f es w r d r und s l be ba e upon a r as bl per e a of t f hal sd e ona e c nt ge he und e t bls d f t be ftoft cas . Ca n1 9 F.d a 7 . sa ihe or he ne i he l s' mde , 46 2 t 7l ' Pe Ca de 1 t none us ve ls off ct st Cour s d c i i det r i ng t r m n , he xcl i i t a or he t houl onsder n e m ni he r a ona e s oft ator ys f esar a f l s e s bl nes he t ne ' e e s olow : Page 1 of 15 2 ()t tmea lborr rd'2)t novet a difc t oft quesi ;3)t 1 he i nd a equie , he ly nd fiuly he tons ( he ( s l rquied t pef m t lgalsr c pr l ( t pr l i ofot r kil e r o ror he e e vies opery; 4) he ecuson he e oyme ;5 t c t r fe;6)whehert fei fxe orc i nt( t mpl nt( ) he usomay e ( t he e s i d ontnge ;7) he tmelmiatonsi e byt cintort cic tnc ;8)t amounti ved i i t i mpos d he le he rumsa es ( he nvol a t rs t obai d;( t e re ,rputton,a a lt oft at ne ; nd he e uls t ne 9) he xpeince e ai nd biiy he tor ys ( 0)t l 1 he t ia lt ' t c e;( 1 t naur a lngt oft pr esi l undesrbiiy'of he as 1 ) he t e nd e h he of sona r ains pwiht clen ;a ( 2)a r i smia ca e . elto hi t he i t nd 1 wads n i lr s s l a 772 n. I s d. t 3. n uppor oft i r ques f a t ne 'f es e t he r e t or tor ys e qualt 3 of t com m on o 0% he f Cl s Couns l pr en e t De l r tonofDa d A. t t n, q. la ti c und, a s e has es t d he c a a i vi Ro hsei Es , e d ral ouns lf e or Pl i tf s i t s A c i a t Decl r ton of Robe tC . Gibe t Es ,r cogni d asone oft a n if n hi ton, nd he aai r l r, qv e ze he la igca sa to p a t in r i t ij rs ito BohDe lrto a ay ee c o t efco s e dn ls-ci n r ci o e s n hs u idcin. t caains n l z a h f h a tr t s f t i Ca de 1 a concudet te cha e r oneoft s et orh n m n , nd l ha a nd ve y hem upporst r s bl s of t he ea ona ene s t i t ntf er q s .Thi Co ta ee .Thi Cour i he nsa e e ue t s ur gr s s t ndepe ndenty ha a yz t Ca l s nal ed he mden I f c or aga ns t uni ue f c soft s c e a c l st te c a e r one oft m s a t s i t he q a t hi as nd onc ude ha a h nd ve y he uppor t t er a o be e so t eisa tf erq e t M o e v r n o j cin h sb e flda an tte h e s na ln s f h n tn e e u s. r o e , o be to a e n ie g is h r que t f ea r Ass h,heCour a o st a i ai f ra t ne 'f eso $3, 6,041 e sed e wa d. uc t t ppr ve he pplc ton o tor ys e f 91 - t bepai fom t c mon f o d r he om und. Cls Couns alo ha a id f e as el s s pple or xpens i t a es n he mountof$531800. TheCour fnds , 08. ti t t$523,48. oft r quese e ns s t be r as bl a ne s a y i f t r nce oft ha 7 55 he e t d xpe e o e ona e nd ce s r n urhe a he pr e uto a s tlmen oft Aci TheCour fndst f l nge os c in nd ele t he ton. t i he olowi xpens asnotne es a y: es c sr $201 08 9. FEDEX a Es r & UPS Ser ie Cha ge nd quie vc r s Page 13 of l5 $ 450 Ai Condii ng Coss r toni t $25 0 Ai Condii ng Coss r toni t $30 0 Ai Condii ng Coss r toni t $ 90 238. St agewih Br ky La Fim or t ods w r $ 75 220. St ag wih Br ky La Fim or e t ods w r $3, 40 078. St ag wih Br ky La Fim or e t ods w r $1054. , 30 Sc nni / t s stm pi a ng Ba e - a ng $ 40 W ines Fe Ri ha d Br ky t s e c r oads $765143 , . TOTAL I addii t Cour wilr e t r quese s n ton, he t l educ he e t d ubpoe f es of $885. by $ t na e 67 400 o $ 5. The t alof$8, . i s r c e fom $531800. r quese The Cour t r f e 48 67. ot 05143 s ubta t d r , 08 e t d. t he e or a ove t a r of$52 748. ppr s he wa d 3. 55. C ONCLUSI ON TheCour a ove Pl i if M o i f Fi l ppr t ppr s a ntf s' ton or na A oval Cl s A c i Se te e , l s of as - ton tl m nt C a s Couns lsA pplc ton f rSe vi eA wa ds a Cl s Couns l sApplca i f e' ia i o r c r , nd a s e' i ton orAtom e ' esa t ys Fe nd Expe e . The Cour hasco i r d t M o i f Fi lAppr ,t pe tnen pori oft ns s t nsde e he ton or na oval he ri t tons he r c d,a i ot r s f l i o me Ac r ngl i i e or nd s he wie uly nf r d. co di y,t s O RDERED a A DJ nd UDGED asf l s olow : Pl ntfs M o i f Fi l ai if ' ton or na Appr l t Cls - i Se tement sG RANTED-S It t ova ofhe a s Acton tl i UCA ha t eSete n i a p o e (n teCo r s l rti j rs cino ti matrt o e s e h tlme t s p r v d a d h u t hal ean u idito f h s te o v re t a nitai oft Setlment; he dmi srton he te ) ( 2) Cls Couns lsApplc tonf Se vceAwadsi GRANTED- s t tCls Cou eli as e' iai or r i r s uch ha a s ns s a horz t pa e chof heCl s Re es t tvesaSer c Awa d i t a ut ied o y a t a s pr en a i vie r n he mountof$5, 000 al t be pa d f om t c m on f lo i r he om und;a nd Cl s Couns l sApplca i f as e' i ton orAtor ys Fe sa Expe esi G RANTED - s ht t a s t ne ' e nd ns s uc ha Cl s Couns i e ild t at ne 'f e i t a el s ntte o tor ys e s n he mountof$3, 6, a e ns s i t 91 041 nd xpe e n he a mountof$5 7 55 a1 t bepai fo t c 23, 48. , l o d r m he omm on f und. Page 14 of 15 The Cour f rhe not s t tt Cour- o d Notc f r ha t u t r e ha he tappr ve i e o es dowe t lke i d he i lhood of muli er tpl oundsofditi i , welast pos i lt ofac e a r a t c usonoft srbutons as l he sbiiy ypr s wa d t he oncl i he diti uin p oo o ,a d t tt ee l e wo d b a dto a e e s s i c n u cin wi srb t rt c l n ha h r i y ul e d iin l xp n e n o j n to t o kl h a tona r ddii l oundsofditi i . s h,heCour he e i t Cl sCouns t s srbutons As uc t t r by nvies as elo ubmi f t r t urhe a i ai f ra tonale pplc tons o ddii xpens a ne s a y i t c s ofa nitrng t s tl me a es s ce s r n he oure dmi se i he ete nt s we la s l s ugge tonsf apos i ec e a r si or sbl ypr s wa d. o oxE Axo O RDERED i cha be s a M i i Fl r da t s n m r t am , o i hi 1%r ay ofMac 2014 -d 7 rh . ' ' . .' Fe c .M or no d o e Un' St t DititJ e aes src udg Copi Pr de t es ovi d o: Co e ofRec d uns l or Pa 1 of 1 ge 5 5 ,
]]>
Some case metadata and case summaries were written with the help of AI, which can produce inaccuracies. You
should read the full case before relying on it for legal research purposes.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google
Privacy Policy and
Terms of Service apply.
