Tillett v. Church Pension Group Services Corporation

Background

Vanessa Tillett brought an action for damages against Church Pension Group Services Corporation under the Fair Labor Standards Act, a federal wage-and-hour law, and the New York Labor Law. The parties jointly asked the court to approve their settlement agreement. A partially executed agreement was submitted on April 22, 2025, and a fully executed agreement was submitted on April 30, 2025.

Settlement Review

The court explained that it had to determine whether the settlement was fair and reasonable and resulted from arm’s-length negotiations rather than employer overreaching. The court reviewed the settlement agreement and the parties’ April 22 letter. It considered, among other things, prior proceedings in the case, the risks, burdens, and costs of continuing the litigation, the possible recovery, the bargaining process, attorney’s fees, and the possibility of fraud or collusion.

The court noted that the agreement contained no confidentiality restrictions and no non-disparagement provisions. It found the attorney’s fees to be within a fair, reasonable, and acceptable range. Although Tillett’s release extended beyond wage-and-hour claims, the court stated that the defendants’ payment included that release and that the defendants provided a comparable general release.

Ruling

Judge Robert W. Lehrburger found the settlement agreement fair and reasonable and approved it. Because the case was resolved by settlement, the court dismissed and discontinued it in its entirety, with prejudice, without costs or fees to any party except as provided in the settlement agreement. The court also directed the Clerk of Court to terminate all motions and deadlines and close the case.