Carrico v. The Good Bean, Inc.

Background

Joyce Carrico brought this case individually and on behalf of all others similarly situated against The Good Bean, Inc. On June 1, 2023, the parties notified the court that they had reached an agreement in principle resolving all issues.

Court’s Action

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 of Court was directed to terminate all open motions and close the case.

The order allowed the parties to apply to reopen the case within 30 days. Such an application had to show good cause for keeping the case open in light of the settlement. The court also stated that, if the parties wanted the court to retain jurisdiction—meaning authority to enforce the settlement agreement—they had to submit the settlement agreement and request an order expressly retaining that authority within the same 30-day period.

Class-Action Effect

The court directed the Clerk to remove the language stating that Carrico sued 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 Carrico and The Good Bean, Inc. They did not bind absent putative class members.

Disposition

Judge Valerie Caproni dismissed the case with prejudice and without costs, closed the case, and specified that absent putative class members were not bound by the dismissal or settlement.