Lazo Lazo v. Gender Bias, Inc.

Background

The action sought damages under the Fair Labor Standards Act, a federal wage-and-hour law, and the New York Labor Law. The parties submitted a joint request for approval of their fully executed settlement agreement.

Settlement Review

The court explained that it had to determine whether the settlement was fair and reasonable and resulted from arm’s-length negotiation rather than employer overreaching. It reviewed the settlement agreement and the parties’ letter, considering the prior proceedings, the risks, burdens, and costs of continuing the action, the possible recovery, whether the agreement resulted from arm’s-length bargaining, the attorney’s fees, and the possibility of fraud or collusion.

The court noted that the agreement contained no confidentiality or non-disparagement restrictions, limited the release to wage-and-hour claims, and provided attorney’s fees within a fair, reasonable, and acceptable range. The court found the settlement fair and reasonable and approved it.

Disposition

Judge Robert W. Lehrburger ordered that the case, having been resolved by settlement, be dismissed and discontinued in its entirety, with prejudice, without costs or fees to any party except as provided in the settlement agreement. The Clerk of Court was asked to terminate all motions and deadlines and close the case.