Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-4_05-cv-00225/USCOURTS-cand-4_05-cv-00225-14/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 791
Nature of Suit: Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA)
Cause of Action: 29:1131 E.R.I.S.A. Collection of Delinquent Trust Funds

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ORDER RE: ATTORNEYS’ FEES [CASE NO. C05-00225 CW] Page 1

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

OAKLAND DIVISION

JAMES W. SIMPSON, individually and on

behalf of all others similarly situated,

Plaintiff,

vs.

FIREMAN’S FUND INSURANCE

COMPANY,

Defendant,

and

FIREMAN’S FUND MEDICAL PLAN,

Nominal Defendant. 

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Case No. C05-00225 CW

ORDER GRANTING CLASS

COUNSEL’S MOTION FOR AWARD

OF ATTORNEYS’ FEES AND COSTS

AND CLASS REPRESENTATIVE

SERVICE PAYMENT

Case 4:05-cv-00225-CW Document 84 Filed 03/30/07 Page 1 of 4
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ORDER RE: ATTORNEYS’ FEES [CASE NO. C05-00225 CW] Page 2

WHEREAS, the Court having considered the Stipulation and Agreement of Compromise

and Settlement of Class Action (“Settlement Agreement”), and having preliminarily approved

the same on January 5, 2007; 

WHEREAS, the Court having entered an Order directing that notice be given to the

Class, and notice having been individually mailed or e-mailed to the Class, and the Court having

conducted a Fairness Hearing concerning the proposed settlement; 

WHEREAS, the Court having entered final approval of this class action settlement; 

WHEREAS, the Court having reviewed Class Counsel’s Notice of Motion and Motion

for Award of Attorneys’ Fees and Costs and Class Representative Service Payment;

Memorandum of Points and Authorities in Support Thereof; and 

WHEREAS, the Court having reviewed the entire record of this action, and good cause

appearing, 

IT IS HEREBY ORDERED:

1. To the extent defined in the Settlement Agreement, attached as Exhibit A to

Plaintiff’s Unopposed Motion for Preliminary Approval of Class Action Settlement;

Memorandum of Points and Authorities in Support Thereof, and incorporated herein by

reference, the terms in this Order shall have the meanings set forth therein.

2. The Court has jurisdiction over the subject matter of this action, the Defendants,

and the Class.

3. Notice of the requested award of attorneys’ fees and reimbursement of costs and

expenses was directed to Class members in a reasonable manner through first-class mailing to

their most recent known addresses or by electronic mail, and complies with Rule 23(h)(1) of the

Federal Rules of Civil Procedure;

Case 4:05-cv-00225-CW Document 84 Filed 03/30/07 Page 2 of 4
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ORDER RE: ATTORNEYS’ FEES [CASE NO. C05-00225 CW] Page 3

4. Class members and any party from whom payment is sought have been given the

opportunity to object in compliance with Fed. R. Civ. P. 23(h)(2);

5. The Court has examined Class Counsel’s request for an award of attorneys’ fees,

costs, and expenses, and for a class representative service payment. The Court finds that Class

Counsel has devoted substantial time to this litigation for the benefit of the Class, represented the

Class on a contingent fee basis, and obtained an excellent result for the Class. The Court further

finds that Class Counsel’s requested lodestar fee award of $536,582.81 is reasonable in light of

the factors listed above and of the fact that the fees requested represent only 70% of Class

Counsel’s total lodestar. See Kerr v. Screen Extras Guild, Inc., 526 F.2d 67, 70 (9th Cir. 1975). 

6. The Court further finds that the hourly rates requested - $700 per hour for Jeffrey

Lewis, $330 per hour for Vincent Cheng, $290 per hour for Michelle Roberts, $580 per hour for

Marc Machiz, $325 per hour for R. Joseph Barton, $200 for law clerk time, and $180 for

paralegal time - are reasonable and in line with those prevailing in the community for similar

services of lawyers of reasonably comparable skill, experience, and reputation. 

7. The Court further finds that the $58,417.19 in litigation costs and expenses

incurred by Class Counsel through the course of the litigation have been adequately documented

and were reasonably incurred for the benefit of the Class. The Court finds that reimbursement of

costs and expenses in the amount of $58,417.19 is reasonable and justified. 

8. Therefore, in accordance with the terms of the Settlement, Defendant FFIC is

ordered to pay Class Counsel within fifteen (15) days $536,582.81 in fees and $58,417.19 in

costs and expenses.

9. The Court approves the payment of $5,000 to Class Representative James

Simpson. This payment is for his service on behalf of the Class which required of him

Case 4:05-cv-00225-CW Document 84 Filed 03/30/07 Page 3 of 4
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ORDER RE: ATTORNEYS’ FEES [CASE NO. C05-00225 CW] Page 4

substantial time and effort, as detailed in the papers submitted by Class Counsel. This payment

is in addition to any amounts due him under the terms of the Settlement.

10. Therefore, in accordance with the terms of the Settlement, Defendant FFIC is

ordered to pay Mr. Simpson within fifteen (15) days $5,000 as a class representative service

payment.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: March 30, 2007 _________________________

Claudia Wilken

United States District Court Judge

Case 4:05-cv-00225-CW Document 84 Filed 03/30/07 Page 4 of 4