Orbon v. Mactown, Inc.

Filing 16

REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS approving settlement agreement and recommending dismissing the case with prejudice. Objections to R&R due by 11/9/2009. Signed by Magistrate Judge John J. O'Sullivan on 10/21/2009. (mms)

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF FLORIDA CASE NO . 09-22170-CIV-SEITZ/O'SULLIVAN CARLOS ORBON, Plaintiff, vs. MACTOW N, INC., Defendant. ______________________________/ ORDER APPROVING SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT AND RECOMMENDING THAT THE CASE BE DISMISSED WITH PREJUDICE THIS MATTER came before the Court on a hearing concerning the parties' settlement. THE COURT has heard from counsel and has considered the terms of the Settlement Agreement, the pertinent portions of the record, and is otherwise fully advised in the premises. This case involves a claim 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.

In this case, there is a bona fide dispute over the amount of hours the plaintiff worked and whether he is entitled to overtime pay. The Court has reviewed the terms of the Settlement Agreement including the amount to be received by the plaintiff 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 RECOMMENDED that this case be DISMISSED WITH PREJUDICE. DONE AND ORDERED, in Chambers, at Miami, Florida, this 21st day of October, 2009.

JOHN J. O'SULLIVAN UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Copies furnished to: United States District Judge Seitz All Counsel of Record

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