Winkleblech et al v. All Year Cooling & Heating, Inc. et al

Filing 31

ORDER approving settlement and DISMISSING CASE. The Court retains jurisdiction until 11/29/2010 to enforce the settlement terms. Signed by Magistrate Judge John J. O'Sullivan on 10/13/2010. (mkr)

Winkleblech et al v. All Year Cooling & Heating, Inc. et al

Doc. 31

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF FLORIDA CASE NO. 10-61548-CIV-O'SULLIVAN [CONSENT] JAMIE WINKLEBLECH, et al., Plaintiffs, vs. ALL YEAR COOLING & HEATING, INC., et al., Defendants. ______________________________/ ORDER APPROVING SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT AND DISMISSING CASE WITH PREJUDICE THIS MATTER came before the Court following notice from the parties that the case has settled and the Court having conducted a hearing concerning the settlement. THE COURT has heard from counsel and considered the terms of the Settlement Agreement, the pertinent portions of the record, and is otherwise fully advised in the premises. This case involves claims for unpaid overtime compensation under the Fair Labor Standards Act, 29 U.S.C. §201, et seq ("FLSA"). In reviewing a settlement of an FLSA private claim, a court must "scrutiniz[e] the settlement for fairness," and determine that the settlement is a "fair and reasonable resolution of a bona fide dispute over FLSA provisions." Lynn Food Stores v. United States, 679 F.2d 1350, 1352-53 (11th Cir. 1982). A settlement entered into in an adversarial context where both sides are represented by counsel throughout litigation "is more likely to reflect a reasonable compromise of disputed issues." Id. The district court may approve the settlement in order to promote the policy of encouraging settlement of litigation. Id. at 1354.

Dockets.Justia.com

In this case, there are bona fide disputes over the number of hours worked by each plaintiff. The Court has reviewed the terms of the Settlement Agreement including the amount to be received by the plaintiffs and the attorney's fees and costs to be received by counsel and finds that the compromise reached by the parties is a fair and reasonable resolution of the parties' bona fide disputes. Accordingly, it is ORDERED AND ADJUDGED that the parties' Settlement Agreement (including attorney's fees and costs) is hereby APPROVED. It is further ORDERED AND ADJUDGED that this case is DISMISSED WITH PREJUDICE. The Court retains jurisdiction until Monday, November 29, 2010 to enforce the terms of the settlement The Clerk of Court is directed to mark this case as CLOSED. DONE AND ORDERED in Chambers at Miami, Florida, this 13th day of October, 2010. ___________________________________ JOHN J. O'SULLIVAN UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE Copies provided: All counsel on record

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