Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_03-cv-05746/USCOURTS-caed-1_03-cv-05746-2/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 710
Nature of Suit: Fair Labor Standards Act
Cause of Action: 15:2(a) Fair Labor Standards Act

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

RONALD MARTIN, et al., )

 )

Plaintiffs, )

)

)

v. )

)

PAN PACIFIC PETROLEUM, )

)

Defendant. )

___________________________________ )

)

AND RELATED CASES )

____________________________________)

CONSOLIDATED ACTIONS

CIV F-03-5746 AWI LJO

CIV F-03-6029 AWI LJO

RELATED ACTION

CIV F-04-5785 AWI LJO

ORDER REGARDING REQUEST

FOR CLARIFICATION

(Document #67)

On January 3, 2005, the court confirmed a stipulated settlement and release in this action. 

A dispute then arose between attorneys claiming to be class counsel for Plaintiffs on who should

receive class counsel’s attorney’s fees. On July 8, 2005, the court amended judgment and found

that class counsel in this action are “Jerry N. Budin and Green & Azevedo.” The court then

ordered Defendant to pay attorneys fees and costs in the total sum of $212,500.00 to class

counsel, Jerry N. Budin and Green & Azevedo.

On August 5, 2005, Defendant filed a request for clarification. Defendant states that it

has drawn a check payable to Jerry N. Budin and Green & Azevedo. Defendant states that John

Beebe, on behalf of Green and Azevedo, and Jerry Budin have given Defendant inconsistent

instructions on where to send this check. Defendant requests that the court tell Defendant where

to send and/or deposit the check. 

On August 12, 2005, Green and Azevedo filed a response. Green and Azevedo make

Case 1:03-cv-05746-AWI -LJO Document 69 Filed 09/06/05 Page 1 of 3
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1

 Pending resolution of the dispute, the funds could be held in trust by Green & Azevedo

or Mr. Budin and Green & Azevedo could deposit the funds into a joint checking account.

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arguments, similar to those made earlier, supporting Green and Azevedo’s position that the

attorney’s fees for class counsel belong to Green and Azevedo.

As previously discussed, class counsel in this action has been defined as Jerry N. Budin

and the law firm of Green & Azevedo. The court previously declined to resolve the ultimate

dispute between Mr. Budin and Green & Azevedo as to who should receive what portion of the

attorney’s fees payable to class counsel in this action. The court still finds that this action is not

the place for Mr. Budin and Green & Azevedo to litigate their partnership disputes. Such a state

law dispute should be decided by the state court and/or any other process to which Mr. Budin and

Green & Azevedo agree. 

Having declined to resolve Mr. Budin and Green & Azevedo’s partnership dispute, the

court does recognize that the dispute between class counsel appears to have so deteriorated that

they cannot even agree on what should be done with the attorney’s fees pending resolution of

their dispute. As class counsel’s failure to arrive at the most basic of solutions1 is not

Defendant’s fault, the court will provide further guidance to Defendant. Accordingly, the court

ORDERS as follows:

1. Defendant’s request for clarification is GRANTED;

2. Defendant (or Defendant’s attorney on Defendant’s behalf) is DIRECTED to hold

the attorney’s fees ordered by the court for forty-five days. If, during this time,

Defendant receives a stipulation signed by both Mr. Budin and a representative of

Green & Azevedo, providing directions on where to send the check, Defendant

shall comply with the directions. If, at the end of forty-five days, Defendant has

not received such a stipulation, Defendant is directed to file an interpleader action

in the Stanislaus County Superior Court, forcing Mr. Budin and Green & Azevedo

to litigate their partnership dispute in an appropriate forum; and

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3. Until Defendant receives a stipulation signed by both Mr. Budin and a

representative of Green & Azevedo or this issue is taken up by in an appropriate

forum, Defendant may keep the attorney’s fees and any interest accruing on the

funds. Defendant should not be required to pay class counsel any interest caused

by class counsel’s own delay in receiving their attorney’s fees.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: September 5, 2005 /s/ Anthony W. Ishii 

0m8i78 UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

Case 1:03-cv-05746-AWI -LJO Document 69 Filed 09/06/05 Page 3 of 3