Zamora v. JGL Restaurant Corp.

Background

Bernardo Castillo Zamora, Jose Edwin Mendez, and Javier Diaz Plaza brought this case on behalf of themselves and others similarly situated against JGL Restaurant Corp., doing business as Italian Village Pizza, and Jose Leon. The opinion states that the case includes one or more claims under the Fair Labor Standards Act. On August 9, 2024, the parties told the court that they had accepted the undersigned mediator’s recommendation to settle.

Court’s order

Because the case includes Fair Labor Standards Act claims, the court required the parties to submit a joint letter-motion addressing whether their proposed settlement is fair and reasonable. The parties must discuss the claims and defenses, the defendants’ potential monetary exposure and the basis for calculating it, the strengths and weaknesses of the plaintiffs’ case and the defendants’ defenses, reasons for any difference between the possible value of the claims and the settlement amount, the litigation and negotiation process, and other relevant issues, including whether a judgment would be collectible.

The joint submission must also explain the attorney-fee arrangement, include any retainer agreement, provide information about attorney fees actually spent—including billing records and documentation of costs—and attach the settlement agreement. The court set September 26, 2024, as the filing deadline and reminded the parties that they could consent to magistrate-judge jurisdiction for the settlement review. Judge Sarah L. Cave did not approve or reject the settlement in this order.