Young v. Morehouse College, Inc.

Background

On March 19, 2024, the parties notified the court that they had reached an agreement in principle resolving all issues. The opinion does not describe the claims or the terms of the agreement.

What the Court Ordered

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 parties could apply within 30 days to reopen the case. Any such 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.

If the parties wanted the court to retain jurisdiction—the power to oversee enforcement—to enforce their settlement agreement, they had to submit the agreement and request an order expressly retaining jurisdiction within the same 30-day period.

Effect on Putative Class Members

The court directed the Clerk to remove from the caption the words stating that Young sued individually and on behalf of other similarly situated persons. Because the parties had not told 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 applied only between Young and Morehouse College. They did not bind absent putative class members.

Disposition

Judge Valerie Caproni dismissed the case with prejudice and without costs, directed that the case be closed, and specified that the dismissal and settlement did not bind absent putative class members.