Weekes v. Edgewell Personal Care, LLC

Background

The order states that, on May 31, 2022, the parties notified the court that they had reached an agreement in principle resolving all issues. The caption identified Robert Weekes as suing individually and on behalf of all others similarly situated.

Court’s Orders

The court canceled all previously scheduled conferences and other deadlines. It dismissed the case with prejudice and without costs, including attorneys’ fees, to either party. The clerk was directed to terminate all open motions and close the case.

The parties could apply to reopen the case within 30 days, but the application had to show good cause for keeping the case open in light of the settlement. The court stated that a request filed after 30 days or without a showing of good cause could be denied on that basis alone.

The order also explained that, if the parties wanted the court to retain jurisdiction—that is, authority to enforce the settlement agreement—they had to submit the agreement and request an order expressly retaining jurisdiction within the same 30-day period.

Class Allegations

Judge Valerie Caproni directed the clerk to remove the words “individually and on behalf of all others similarly situated” from the caption. Because the parties had not notified the court that they intended to comply with Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 23(e), which governs certain class settlements and dismissals, the dismissal and any settlement were operative only between Weekes and Edgewell. They did not bind absent putative class members.

Disposition

The case was dismissed with prejudice, without costs or attorneys’ fees to either party, and closed, subject to the stated 30-day procedures for seeking reopening or asking the court to retain jurisdiction to enforce the settlement.