Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-3_14-cv-01835/USCOURTS-cand-3_14-cv-01835-5/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 710
Nature of Suit: Fair Labor Standards Act
Cause of Action: 29:201 Fair Labor Standards Act

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[REV.] [PROPOSED] ORDER GRANTING PRELIM. APPROVAL OF CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT – CASE NO. 3:14-CV-01835 VC

556089 8 

David Borgen (SBN 099354) 

dborgen@gbdhlegal.com 

James Kan (SBN 240749) 

jkan@gbdhlegal.com 

GOLDSTEIN, BORGEN, DARDARIAN & HO 

300 Lakeside Drive, Suite 1000 

Oakland, CA 94612 

Tel: (510) 763-9800 

Fax: (510) 835-1417 

Gregg I. Shavitz 

gshavitz@shavitzlaw.com 

SHAVITZ LAW GROUP, P.A. 

1515 South Federal Highway Suite 404 

Boca Raton, FL 33432 

Tel: (800) 616-4000 

Fax: (561) 447-8831 

Attorneys for Plaintiffs and the Putative Class 

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 

NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 

STEVE RULLI, JOSE BUENROSTRO, 

EDWIN BUMP, and ENRIQUE CRUZ on 

behalf of themselves and all others similarly 

situated, 

 Plaintiffs, 

vs. 

NIELSEN COMPANY (U.S.) LLC, 

 Defendant. 

Case No.: 3:14-CV-01835 VC 

[REVISED] [PROPOSED] ORDER GRANTING 

PRELIMINARY APPROVAL OF CLASS 

ACTION SETTLEMENT

Case 3:14-cv-01835-VC Document 45 Filed 01/12/15 Page 1 of 43
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[REV.] [PROPOSED] ORDER GRANTING PRELIM. APPROVAL OF CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT – CASE NO. 3:14-CV-01835 VC

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The Motion for Preliminary Approval of Class Action Settlement, filed by Plaintiffs Steve 

Rulli, Jose Buenrostro, Edwin Bump, and Enrique Cruz (“Plaintiffs”), came on for hearing regularly in 

Courtroom 6 of the above captioned court, the Honorable Vincent Chhabria presiding. Defendant 

Nielsen Company (US), LLC (“Nielsen” or “Defendant”) does not oppose the motion. 

On April 22, 2014, Plaintiffs filed a complaint against Nielsen on behalf of themselves and 

other employees. Plaintiffs allege, among other things, that employees are owed compensation for 

hours worked (including regular wages, minimum wages and overtime wages), meal periods, rest 

breaks, untimely final pay and inaccurate itemized wage statements, and related penalties. The lawsuit 

seeks damages for lost wages, interest, penalties, injunctive relief, and attorneys’ fees and expenses. 

Defendant denies all of Plaintiffs’ claims. 

After initial exchanges of information, the Parties entered into private mediation before 

respected neutral mediator Mark Rudy, Esq. to try and resolve the claims. As a result of that mediation 

on September 16, 2014, and under the auspices of Mr. Rudy, the Parties reached a settlement. The 

Parties then entered into a Stipulation of Settlement and Release on or around November 6, 2014. 

A preliminary hearing was held before this Court on December 18, 2014 at 10:00 a.m., for the 

purpose of determining, among other things, whether the proposed Stipulation of Settlement was 

within the range of possible approval and whether notice to the Class of its terms and conditions, and 

the scheduling of a formal fairness hearing, also known as a final approval hearing, will be appropriate. 

Appearing at the hearing was counsel for Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP on behalf of Defendant; 

and counsel for Goldstein, Borgen, Dardarian & Ho on behalf of Plaintiffs and the Class. 

At the hearing, the Court made several suggestions for revising the proposed class action 

settlement agreement and for revising the proposed class notice. The Court denied the motion for 

preliminary approval but without prejudice to its renewal by means of an administrative motion 

without a further hearing (Dkt. No. 42). The Court requested that counsel resubmit these documents 

once revised pursuant to the Court’s suggestions. The parties have agreed to the revisions (attached) 

and to the filing of the suggested administrative motion, filed on December 24, 2014. 

Case 3:14-cv-01835-VC Document 45 Filed 01/12/15 Page 2 of 43
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[REV.] [PROPOSED] ORDER GRANTING PRELIM. APPROVAL OF CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT – CASE NO. 3:14-CV-01835 VC

556089 8 

Having reviewed the papers and documents presented, having heard the statements of counsel, 

having considered the matter, including the renewed motion submitted pursuant to L.R. 7-11, the Court 

HEREBY ORDERS as follows: 

1. The Court hereby GRANTS Preliminary Approval of the terms and conditions 

contained in the Stipulation of Settlement (as modified by the Amendment to Stipulation of Settlement 

and Release dated December 23, 2014), attached hereto as Exhibit 1. The Court preliminarily finds 

that the terms of the Stipulation of Settlement (as amended) appear to be within the range of possible 

approval, pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 23, the Fair Labor Standards Act and applicable 

law. 

2. The Court finds on a preliminary basis that: (1) the settlement amount is fair and 

reasonable to the Class Members when balanced against the probable outcome of further litigation 

relating to class certification, liability and damages issues, and potential appeals; (2) significant 

informal discovery, investigation, research, and litigation have been conducted such that counsel for 

the Parties at this time are able to reasonably evaluate their respective positions; (3) settlement at this 

time will avoid substantial costs, delay, and risks that would be presented by the further prosecution of 

the litigation; and (4) the proposed Settlement has been reached as the result of intensive, serious, and 

non-collusive negotiations between the Parties. Accordingly, the Court preliminarily finds that the 

Stipulation of Settlement (as amended) was entered into in good faith. 

3. The Court hereby GRANTS conditional certification of the provisional California Class 

and California FLSA Class, in accordance with the Stipulation of Settlement (as amended), for the 

purposes of this Settlement only. The California Class is defined as “all current and former employees 

employed in field representative, field quality specialist and/or market quality specialist positions or 

senior variations of those titles by Defendant in California between April 22, 2010 and the date of 

Preliminary Approval of the Settlement or December 31, 2014, whichever is earlier, and who did not 

previously execute general releases” and the California FLSA Class is defined as “all current and 

former employees employed in field representative, field quality specialist and/or market quality 

specialist positions or senior variations of those titles by Defendant in California between January 9, 

2011 and the date of Preliminary Approval of the Settlement, whichever is earlier.” 

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[REV.] [PROPOSED] ORDER GRANTING PRELIM. APPROVAL OF CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT – CASE NO. 3:14-CV-01835 VC

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4. The Court hereby authorizes the retention of Rust Consulting as Settlement 

Administrator for the purpose of the Settlement with reasonable administration costs estimated not to 

exceed $10,000.00. 

5. The Court hereby conditionally appoints Goldstein, Borgen, Dardarian & Ho and 

Shavitz Law Group, P.A. as counsel for the Class, and Plaintiffs as class representatives for the Class. 

6. The Court hereby APPROVES the (Revised) Notice attached hereto as Exhibit A. The 

Court finds that the (Revised) Notice, along with the related notification procedure contemplated by 

the Stipulation of Settlement (as amended), constitute the best notice practicable under the 

circumstances and are in full compliance with the applicable laws and the requirements of due process. 

The Court further finds that the (Revised) Notice appears to fully and accurately inform the Class 

Members of all material elements of the proposed Stipulation of Settlement, of the California Class 

Members’ right to be excluded from the Settlement, and of each California Class Member’s right and 

opportunity to object to the Settlement. Subject to the terms of the Stipulation of Settlement, the 

(Revised) Notice shall be mailed via first-class mail to the most recent known address of each Class 

Member within the timeframe specified in the Stipulation of Settlement (as amended). The parties are 

authorized to make non-substantive changes to the proposed Class Notice that are consistent with the 

terms of the Settlement and this Order. 

7. The Court hereby APPROVES the proposed procedure for California Class Member 

exclusion from the Settlement, which is to submit a written statement requesting exclusion to the 

Settlement Administrator no later than sixty (60) days following the date on which the Settlement 

Administrator first mails the Notice Packet to California Class Members. Any California Class 

Member who submits an Exclusion Letter shall not be a Member of the California Class, shall be 

barred from participating in the California Class Settlement and shall receive no benefit from the 

California Class Settlement. 

8. The Court hereby APPROVES the proposed California Class Form and California 

FLSA Opt In Form for use in administering the Settlement, attached hereto as Exhibit B and C. The 

applicable documents must be mailed to Class Members along with the Notice. Subject to the terms of 

the Stipulation of Settlement, California FLSA Class Members must sign, date and return completed 

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[REV.] [PROPOSED] ORDER GRANTING PRELIM. APPROVAL OF CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT – CASE NO. 3:14-CV-01835 VC

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California FLSA Opt In Forms to the Settlement Administrator postmarked no later than sixty (60) 

days following the date on which the Settlement Administrator first mails the Notice Packets to Class 

Members in order to receive a monetary payment. The parties are authorized to make non-substantive 

changes to the proposed California Class Form and California FLSA Opt In Form that are consistent 

with the terms of the Settlement and this Order. 

9. The Court further ORDERS that Class Counsel shall file a motion for approval of the 

Fee and Expense Award and the Service Payment, with the appropriate declarations and supporting 

evidence, at least fourteen (14) days prior to the close of the Class Notice period to be heard at the 

same time as the motion for Final Approval of the Settlement. 

10. The Court further ORDERS that Class Counsel shall file a motion for Final Approval of 

the Settlement, with the appropriate declarations and supporting evidence, including a declaration 

setting forth the identity of any California Class Members who request exclusion from the Settlement, 

by April 16, 2015. 

11. The Court further ORDERS that each California Class Member shall be given a full 

opportunity to object to the proposed Settlement and request for attorneys’ fees, and to participate at a 

Final Approval Hearing, which the Court sets to commence on May 21, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. in 

Courtroom 4 of the United States District Court, Northern District of California, San Francisco 

Division. Any California Class Member seeking to object to the proposed Settlement may file such 

objection in writing with the Court and shall serve such objection on Class Counsel and Defendant’s 

Counsel or may appear at the Final Approval Hearing to make the objection. 

12. Accordingly, GOOD CAUSE APPEARING, the Court hereby APPROVES the Revised 

proposed Class Notice and adopts the following dates and deadlines: 

Deadline Action 

Within fourteen (14) calendar days 

after entry of the order granting 

Preliminary Approval 

Defendant shall provide to the Settlement 

Administrator a list of all Class Members, 

including their name, social security number, last 

known address, telephone number, and Individual 

Work Weeks. 

Within fourteen (14) calendar days 

of receipt of the Class Member list 

The Settlement Administrator will send the Notice 

Packet via first class mail to all Class Members. 

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[REV.] [PROPOSED] ORDER GRANTING PRELIM. APPROVAL OF CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT – CASE NO. 3:14-CV-01835 VC

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Deadline Action 

At least 14 days prior to the close of 

the Opt In Deadline and Exclusion 

Deadline 

Class Counsel will file a motion seeking approval 

of their Fee and Expense Award and the proposed 

Service Payments to the Plaintiffs. 

Sixty (60) days following the date 

on which the Settlement 

Administrator first mails the Notice 

Packet to Class Members 

Exclusion Deadline: deadline for California Class 

Members to request exclusion from the Settlement. 

Opt In Deadline: deadline for California FLSA 

Class members to opt into the Settlement. 

Within fifteen (15) calendar days 

after the Settlement Administrator 

notifies the Parties of the number of 

Exclusion Letters received 

If five or more of the California Class Members 

submit an exclusion letter, Nielsen will have the 

option of canceling the Settlement. 

April 16, 2015 Plaintiffs will move the Court for entry of Order of 

Final Approval and Judgment. 

May 21, 2015 Final Approval Hearing. 

13. The Court further ORDERS that, pending further order of this Court, all proceedings in 

this Lawsuit, except those contemplated herein and in the Stipulation of Settlement, are stayed. 

14. The Court further ORDERS that to facilitate administration of this Settlement, all 

California Class Members are hereby enjoined from filing or prosecuting any claims, cases, suits or 

administrative proceedings (including filing or pursuing claims with the California Division of Labor 

Standards Enforcement) regarding claims released by the Settlement unless and until such California 

Class Members have submitted Exclusion Letters with the Settlement Administrator. 

15. If for any reason the Court does not execute and file a Final Approval Order and 

Judgment, the proposed Settlement subject to this Order and all evidence and proceedings had in 

connection with the Settlement shall be null and void. 

16. The Court may, for good cause, extend any of the deadlines set forth in this Order or 

adjourn or continue the final approval hearing without further notice to the Class. 

IT IS SO ORDERED. 

Dated: 

 HON. VINCENT CHHABRIA 

January 12, 2015

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REVISED PROPOSED CLASS NOTICE [CLEAN VERSION]

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REVISED PROPOSED CLASS NOTICE 

[REDLINE VERSION]

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REVISED FLSA OPT-IN FORM

[REDLINE VERSION]

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REVISED FLSA OPT-IN FORM

[CLEAN VERSION]

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FLSA OPT-IN FORM SUBMITTED 11-06-2014

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