Gilmor v. Preferred Credit Corporation et al, No. 4:2010cv00189 - Document 815 (W.D. Mo. 2012)
Court Description: ORDER granting 812 motion for preliminary approval of class action settlement involving JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as successor by merger to Chase Home Finance, LLC, and setting final approval hearing for 3:00 p.m. on 3/6/13. Signed on 11/9/12 by District Judge Ortrie D. Smith. (Wolfe, Steve)
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Gilmor v. Preferred Credit Corporation et al Doc. 815 IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE WESTERN DISTRICT OF MISSOURI WESTERN DIVISION MICHAEL P. AND SHELLIE GILMOR, ET AL., Plaintiffs, Case No. 10-0189-CV-W-ODS vs. PREFERRED CREDIT CORPORATION, ET AL., Defendants. ORDER PRELIMINARILY APPROVING CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT This case commenced in Clay County Circuit Court. On January 2, 2003, that court certified a litigation class comprised of those persons who obtained a Missouri residential second mortgage loan from Preferred Credit Corporation (f/k/a T.A.R. Preferred Mortgage Corporation) (“PCC”) on or after June 27, 1994, and as is particularly described in the Court’s Order Certifying Plaintiff Class (the “Litigation Class”). The case eventually found itself in this Court, and now pending is a motion to approve a Settlement Agreement (“Agreement”) with respect to certain plaintiffs and Defendant JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as successor by merger to Chase Home Finance, LLC (“JPMCB/CHF”). Specifically, the Agreement relates to the Missouri residential second mortgage loans obtained from PCC that were serviced by Chase Home Finance, LLC or for which JPMCB/CHF has assumed liability for purposes of this settlement (defined in the Agreement as the “PCCJPMCB/CHF Loans”). The Court has reviewed the Motion for Preliminary Approval of Class Action Settlement, the Suggestions in Support, and all of the exhibits attached thereto. Having done so, the motion Dockets.Justia.com (Doc. #812) is granted, and the Court orders as follows: 1. The terms of the Agreement, and the Settlement as provided therein, are approved preliminarily as fair, reasonable and adequate to the JPMCB/CHF Settlement Class as defined in the Agreement, subject to further consideration at the Fairness Hearing described in Paragraph 14 below. 2. The definitions set forth in the Agreement are hereby incorporated by reference into this Order (with capitalized terms as set forth in the Agreement). 3. The Named Plaintiffs and JPMCB/CHF have executed the Agreement in order to settle and resolve the Litigation as between the JPMCB/CHF Settlement Class and JPMCB/CHF, subject to approval of the Court. 4. Accordingly, for the purpose of a settlement in accordance with the Agreement, and upon review of Plaintiffs’ Motion for Preliminary Approval of Class Action Settlement, this Court hereby preliminarily certifies the following class of persons as a settlement class (the “JPMCB/CHF Settlement Class”): All persons who, on or after June 27, 1994, obtained a “Second Mortgage Loan,” as defined in Mo.Rev.Stat. § 408.231.1, that was secured in whole or in part by a mortgage or a deed of trust on residential real property located in the state of Missouri, that was originated by Preferred Credit Corporation (f/k/a T.A.R. Preferred Mortgage Corporation), and that was serviced by Chase Home Finance, LLC or for which JPMCB/CHF has assumed liability for purposes of this settlement, and who did not timely exercise their right and option to opt out and exclude themselves from the litigation class that the Circuit Court of Clay County, Missouri certified on January 2, 2003, in Gilmor v. Preferred Credit Corporation, Case No. CV100-4263-CC. 5. Pursuant to the Agreement, and for purposes of the Settlement only, the Court finds preliminarily as to the JPMCB/CHF Settlement Class that: a. The JPMCB/CHF Settlement Class is so numerous that joinder of all members is impracticable; 2 b. There are questions of law or fact common to the JPMCB/CHF Settlement Class that predominate over questions affecting only individual members of the JPMCB/CHF Settlement Class; c. The claims of the Named Plaintiffs are typical of those of the members of the JPMCB/CHF Settlement Class; d. The Named Plaintiffs and Plaintiffs’ Counsel will fairly and adequately represent and protect the interests of the members of the JPMCB/CHF Settlement Class; and e. Certification of the JPMCB/CHF Settlement Class as proposed is an appropriate method for the fair and efficient adjudication of the controversies between the JPMCB/CHF Settlement Class and JPMCB/CHF. 6. For the purpose of this preliminary approval, and for all matters relating to the Settlement and the Litigation, until further order of the Court, the Court appoints the Named Plaintiffs as Representatives of the JPMCB/CHF Settlement Class and R. Frederick Walters, Kip D. Richards, David M. Skeens, J. Michael Vaughan, and Garrett M. Hodes of the law firm Walters Bender Strohbehn & Vaughan, P.C., as Counsel for the JPMCB/CHF Settlement Class (“Plaintiffs’ Counsel” or “Class Counsel”). 7. By this Order, the Court hereby exercises subject matter and personal jurisdiction over the JPMCB/CHF Settlement Class for purposes of evaluating the final certification of the JPMCB/CHF Settlement Class and the fairness and adequacy of the Settlement. 8. The Class Mail Notice, as set forth in Exhibit A to the parties’ Agreement, is hereby approved. 9. The Class Mail Notice in a form substantially the same as that set forth in Exhibit 3 A to the Agreement shall be mailed by Class Counsel by first-class mail, postage prepaid, to (a) all members of the JPMCB/CHF Settlement Class as identified on Exhibit D of the Agreement, and (b) any known Chapter 7 bankruptcy trustees of any member of the JPMCB/CHF Settlement Class for any Chapter 7 bankruptcy filed after origination of said class member’s loan. Such mailing shall be made within five (5) days of this Preliminary Approval Order. The Summary of Notice appearing in Exhibit A to the Agreement shall accompany the Class Mail Notice. 10. These notice methodologies (a) protect the interests of the Named Plaintiffs, the JPMCB/CHF Settlement Class, and JPMCB/CHF, (b) are the best notice practicable under the circumstances, and (c) are reasonably calculated to apprise the JPMCB/CHF Settlement Class of the proposed Settlement, the Agreement, and their right to opt out and exclude themselves from or object to the proposed Settlement. In addition, the Court finds that the notice methodologies are reasonable and constitute due, adequate and sufficient notice to all persons entitled to receive notice of the proposed Settlement and meet all applicable requirements of law, including, but not limited to, Fed.R.Civ.P. 23, and the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment of the United States Constitution. 11. Prior to the Fairness Hearing, Class Counsel shall serve and file a sworn statement of a person with knowledge, evidencing compliance with the provisions of this Order concerning the mailing of the Class Mail Notice. 12. Any member of the JPMCB/CHF Settlement Class desiring exclusion from the JPMCB/CHF Settlement Class shall mail a request for exclusion (“Request for Exclusion”) to the Parties’ respective counsel. To be valid, the Request for Exclusion must be received on or before January 18, 2013. Such Request for Exclusion must be in writing and include: (a) the name, address, telephone number and the last four digits of the social security number of the 4 class member seeking to opt out; (b) a statement that the class member and all other borrowers named on the class member’s promissory note are seeking exclusion; (c) the signature of each person who was a party to the promissory note made in connection with the class member’s loan, unless such person is deceased or legally incompetent, in which event the opt out submission shall be signed by said deceased or legally incompetent person’s personal representative or guardian; and (d) a reference to “Gilmor v. Preferred Credit Corporation, Case No. 10-0189-CVW-ODS.” Any member of the JPMCB/CHF Settlement Class who does not properly and timely request exclusion from the JPMCB/CHF Settlement Class in full compliance with these requirements shall be included in the JPMCB/CHF Settlement Class and be bound by any judgment entered in this Action with respect to the Class. The parties are advised the Court may exercise its discretion to allow a class member to opt out of the class even if they do not strictly conform to the procedural requirements set forth above. 13. Within seven (7) days after the deadline for submitting Requests for Exclusion, Class Counsel shall file with the Court a sworn statement to identify those persons, if any, who timely submitted a Request for Exclusion. The originals of all Requests for Exclusion shall be retained by the Parties. Class Counsel shall also identify those persons, if any, whose efforts to be excluded were rejected because they failed to comply with paragraph 12 above and shall provide the Court with all communications received from such individuals. 14. A hearing (the “Fairness Hearing”) shall be held at 3:00 p.m. on March 6, 2013, in Courtroom 8D, Charles Evans Whittaker Courthouse, 400 E. Ninth Street, Kansas City, MO 64106. At the Fairness Hearing, the Court will consider: (a) the fairness, reasonableness, and adequacy of the Settlement; (b) the entry of any final order or judgment in the Litigation with 5 respect to the JPMCB/CHF Settlement Class; (c) the application for incentive awards for the services rendered by the Named Plaintiffs; (d) the application for attorney’s fees and for reimbursement of expenses by Class Counsel; and (e) other related matters. The Fairness Hearing may be postponed, adjourned or continued by Order of the Court without further notice to the JPMCB/CHF Settlement Class. 15. To be considered at the Fairness Hearing, any JPMCB/CHF Class Member desiring to file an objection or other comment on the Settlement shall be required to file all such objections and comments and all supporting pleadings on or before January 25, 2013, with service upon Class Counsel and Counsel for JPMCB/CHF. The objections of any JPMCB/CHF Class Member must be in writing, and must specifically include the following: (a) the name, address, and telephone number of the class member filing the objection; (b) a statement of each objection asserted; (c) a detailed description of the facts underlying each objection; (d) any loan documents in the possession or control of the objector and relied upon by the objector as a basis for the objection; (e) if the objector is represented by counsel, a detailed description of the legal authorities supporting each objection; (f) if the objector plans to utilize expert opinion and/or testimony as part of the objection(s), a written expert report from all proposed experts; (g) if the objector plans to call a witness or present other evidence at the hearing, the objector must state the identity of the witness and identify any documents by attaching them to the objection and provide any other evidence that the objector intends to present; (h) a statement of whether the objector intends to appear at the hearing; (i) a copy of any exhibits which the objector may offer during the hearing; and (j) a reference to “Gilmor v. Preferred Credit Corporation, Case No. 100189-CV-W-ODS.” The parties are advised the Court may exercise its discretion to entertain objections that 6 do not strictly conform to the procedural requirements set forth above. 16. Unless otherwise ordered by the Court, no objection to or other comment concerning the Settlement shall be heard unless timely filed in accordance with the respective guidelines specified above. Class Counsel and Counsel for JPMCB/CHF shall promptly furnish each other with copies of any and all objections or written requests for exclusion that come into their possession. 17. Any objector who does not make his or her objection in the manner provided in this Order shall be deemed to have waived any such objection and shall forever be barred from making any objection to the Settlement, including without limitation, the propriety of class certification, the adequacy of any notice, or the fairness, adequacy or reasonableness of the Settlement. This provision does not apply to objections that are otherwise entertained by the Court. 18. Submissions of the Parties relative to the Settlement, including memoranda in support of the Settlement, applications for attorney’s fees and reimbursement of expenses by Class Counsel, and any applications for the payment of services rendered by the Named Plaintiffs shall be filed with the Clerk of the Court on or before February 19, 2013. 19. Any attorney hired by any objector for the purpose of appearing and/or making an objection shall file his or her entry of Appearance at the Class Member’s expense on or before February 13, 2013, with service on Class Counsel and Counsel for JPMCB/CHF per the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. The Court retains discretion to entertain late entries of appearance if circumstances warrant. 20. Any JPMCB/CHF Settlement Class Member may appear at the Fairness Hearing in person, or by counsel if an appearance is filed and served as provided in the Class Mail 7 Notice, and such person will be heard to the extent allowed by the Court. No person shall be permitted to be heard unless, on or before February 13, 2013, such person has (a) filed with the Clerk of the Court a notice of such person’s intention to appear; and (b) served copies of such notice upon Class Counsel and Counsel for JPMCB/CHF as required by the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. The parties are advised the Court may exercise its discretion to entertain objections that do not strictly conform to the procedural requirements set forth above. 21. Any JPMCB/CHF Settlement Class Member may seek to intervene in the Litigation in person, or by counsel if a motion to intervene is filed and served as provided in the Notice. No person shall be permitted to intervene unless, on or before January 25, 2013, such person has (a) filed with the Clerk of the Court a valid motion to intervene and (b) served copies of such notice upon Class Counsel and Counsel for JPMCB/CHF as required by the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. 22. On or before the Final Hearing Date, Counsel for JPMCB/CHF shall file with the Court in the Litigation an affidavit verifying compliance with the notice requirements of the provisions of 28 U.S.C. § 1715(b) and CAFA. 23. All other events contemplated under the Agreement to occur after entry of this Order and before the Fairness Hearing shall be governed by the Agreement and the Class Mail Notice, to the extent not inconsistent herewith. Class Counsel and Counsel for JPMCB/CHF shall take such further actions as are required by the Agreement. 24. The Parties shall be authorized to make non-material changes to the Class Mail Notice so long as Class Counsel and Counsel for JPMCB/CHF agree and one of the Parties files a notice thereof with the Court prior to the Fairness Hearing. Neither the insertion of dates nor 8 the correction of typographical or grammatical errors shall be deemed a change to the Class Mail Notice. 25. All claims against and motions involving JPMCB/CHF as the servicer of the fifty (50) “PCC-JPMCB/CHF Loans” are hereby stayed and suspended until further order of this Court, other than such as may be necessary to carry out the terms and conditions of the Agreement or the responsibilities related or incidental thereto. 26. The claims of the Named Plaintiffs, the members of the JPMCB/CHF Settlement Class and/or the remaining members of the Litigation Class against any Defendant and/or person or entity other than JPMCB/CHF and other “Released Persons,” including, but not limited to, any and all claims against JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as the purchaser, assignee, owner, holder, trustee, servicer and/or master servicer of any “PCC Loans” other than the “PCCJPMCB/CHF Loans,” whether individually or as the successor to The Chase Manhattan Bank or any other entity, are not stayed or suspended by the Agreement, this Order, or otherwise. Only the “Released Claims” of the “Releasors” as against the “Released Persons,” as defined in the Agreement, are suspended and stayed. 27. If Final Approval of the Settlement does not occur, or if the Settlement does not become effective on or before the Effective Date as provided in the Agreement, or if the Settlement is rescinded or terminated for any reason, the Settlement and all proceedings had in connection therewith shall be null and void and without prejudice to the rights of the Parties before the Settlement was executed and made, and this Order and all Orders issued pursuant to the Settlement shall be vacated, rescinded, canceled, annulled and deemed “void” and/or “no longer equitable” for purposes of Fed.R.Civ.P. 60, as provided in and subject to Paragraph 13 of the Agreement. 9 28. Neither this Order, the Agreement, nor any of their terms or provisions, nor any of the negotiations between the Parties or their counsel (nor any action taken to carry out this Order), is, may be construed as, or may be used as an admission or concession by or against any of the Parties or the Released Persons of (i) the validity of any claim or liability, any alleged violation or failure to comply with any law, any alleged breach of contract, any legal or factual argument, contention or assertion; (ii) the truth or relevance of any fact alleged by Plaintiffs; (iii) the existence of any class alleged by Plaintiffs; (iv) the propriety of class certification if the Litigation were to be litigated rather than settled; (v) the validity of any claim or any defense that has been or could have been asserted in the Litigation or in any other litigation; (vi) that the consideration to be given to JPMCB/CHF Settlement Class Members hereunder represents the amount which could be or would have been recovered by any such persons after trial; or (vii) the propriety of class certification in any other proceeding or action. Entering into or carrying out the Agreement, and any negotiations or proceedings related to it, shall not in any way be construed as, or deemed evidence of, an admission or concession as to the denials, defenses, or factual or legal positions of JPMCB/CHF, and shall not be offered or received in evidence in the Litigation or any action or proceeding against any party in any court, administrative agency or other tribunal for any purpose whatsoever, except as is necessary (a) to enforce the terms of this Order and the Agreement or (b) to show, if appropriate, the recoveries obtained by the Named Plaintiffs and other JPMCB/CHF Class Members hereunder, including, without limitation, the damages, attorney’s fees award and costs; provided, however, that this Order and the Agreement may be filed by JPMCB/CHF in any action filed against or by JPMCB/CHF, or any other Released Person, to support a defense of res judicata, collateral estoppel, release, waiver, good faith settlement, judgment bar or reduction, full faith and credit, or any other theory of claim 10 preclusion, issue preclusion or similar defense or counterclaim. JPMCB/CHF expressly reserves all rights and defenses to any claims and does not waive any such rights or defenses in the event that the Agreement is not approved for any reason. IT IS SO ORDERED. DATE: November 9, 2012 /s/ Ortrie D. Smith ORTRIE D. SMITH, SENIOR JUDGE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURTT 11
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