Judge: Randall J. Sherman, Case: 2020-01151921, Date: 2022-09-02 Tentative Ruling

Plaintiff’s Motion for Final Approval of Class Action Settlement is granted, except that the court awards an enhancement to plaintiff Manuel Godoy in the amount of $5,000.  An enhancement award of $5,000 is sufficient and proper for a class and settlement of this size, and considering that plaintiff spent about 35 hours on this case.  The court concludes that the $450,000 class action and PAGA settlement, as approved, is fair, adequate and reasonable, and approves the following specific awards:

● $150,000 to plaintiff’s counsel for plaintiff’s attorneys’ fees, as requested;

● $11,076.28 to plaintiff’s counsel for plaintiff’s attorney costs, as requested;

● $5,000.00 to plaintiff Manuel Godoy as an enhancement award, reduced from the $7,500.00 requested;

● $8,000.00 to the Administrator, Phoenix Settlement Administrators, as requested; and

● $45,000.00 to the LWDA for its share of PAGA penalties, as requested.

The total amount that will be payable to all class members and aggrieved employees if they are paid the amount to which they are entitled pursuant to the judgment is $230,923.72.

The court sets an Interim Final Report Hearing for June 2, 2023 at 10:00 a.m., to confirm that distribution efforts are fully underway, including the initiation of the process for the reporting and distribution of uncashed class member checks after 180 days to the State Controller’s Office Unclaimed Property Fund in the names of the applicable payees, and that the Administrator’s work is otherwise complete.  All supporting papers must be filed at least 16 days before the Interim Final Report Hearing date.

Plaintiff is ordered to give notice of the ruling to the LWDA and to defendant.