Suarez v. Brasserie Felix, Inc.

Background

The plaintiffs brought an action for damages under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), 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 negotiations rather than employer overreaching. In reviewing the agreement, the court considered prior proceedings, the risks, burdens, and costs of continuing the case, the possible recovery, whether the agreement resulted from arm’s-length bargaining between experienced counsel or the parties, attorney’s fees, and the possibility of fraud or collusion.

The court noted that the agreement contained no confidentiality restrictions or non-disparagement provisions, 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

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 requested that the Clerk of Court terminate all motions and deadlines and close the case.