Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-3_06-cv-04291/USCOURTS-cand-3_06-cv-04291-10/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 710
Nature of Suit: Fair Labor Standards Act
Cause of Action: 29:206 Collect Unpaid Wages

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United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

In re AXA Wage and Hour Litigation

THIS DOCUMENT APPLIES TO ALL

ACTIONS

 /

No. C 06-04291 JSW

ORDER GRANTING MOTION

FOR APPOINTMENT OF LEAD

COUNSEL

INTRODUCTION

This matter comes before the Court upon consideration of the motion for appointment of 

lead counsel filed by Plaintiffs Paul Meola, Carlton M. Lennon, James L. Thompson, Anthony

Bolea, and Harkant Dhruv (collectively “Plaintiffs”). By their motion, Plaintiffs ask this Court

to appoint the law firms of Cotchett, Pitre & McCarthy and Shiffrin, Barroway Topaz &

Kessler, LLP as co-lead counsel in this consolidated class action. 

Having considered the parties’ papers, including the supplemental briefing ordered by

the Court, relevant legal authority, and the record in this case, the Court HEREBY VACATES

the hearing set for November 30, 2007, and GRANTS the motion.

BACKGROUND

As set forth in Plaintiffs’ motion, Plaintiffs have filed four putative class action lawsuits

against Defendants in which they allege that they are entitled to overtime pay under federal and

state law. The Court granted motions to relate those four cases, and the parties have now agreed

that they should be consolidated. (Declaration of Niall P. McCarthy, Ex. H; Stipulation and

Proposed Pretrial Order No. 1.) Although Plaintiffs have not yet filed a motion to certify the

Case 3:06-cv-04291-JSW Document 80 Filed 11/19/07 Page 1 of 3
United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

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class, they seek appointment of co-lead counsel to “effectively manage these cases, to avoid

duplication of efforts, and to protect the interests of the Plaintiffs.” (Mot. at 3:23-15.)

ANALYSIS

Pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 23(g)(2), a “court may designate interim

counsel to act on behalf of the putative class before determining whether to certify the action as

a class action.” In this case, there are two applicants for co-class counsel, and no competing

applicants. When appointing interim class counsel, a court must find that the applicant is

adequate under Rule 23(g)(1)(B) and (C). Rule 23(g)(1)(B), in turn, requires that “[a]n attorney

appointed to serve as class counsel must fairly and adequately represent the interests of the

class.” Rule 23(g)(1)(C), requires that:

(i) the court must consider:

• the work counsel has done in identifying or investigating potential

claims in the action,

• counsel’s experience in handling class actions, other complex

litigation, and claims of the type asserted in the action,

• counsel’s knowledge of the applicable law, and

• the resources counsel will commit to representing the class;

(ii) may consider any other matter pertinent to counsel’s ability to fairly

and adequately represent the interests of the class; 

(iii) may direct potential class counsel to provide information on any

subject pertinent to the appointment and to propose terms for attorney fees

and nontaxable costs; and

(iv) may make further orders in connection with the appointment.

Based on the declarations and supplemental declarations presented to the Court in connection

with this motion, the Court finds that the Schiffrin and Cotchett firms are adequate under Rule

23(g)(1)(B) and (C).

Therefore, the Court HEREBY ORDERS as follows:

1. Pursuant to Rule 23(g)(2)(A), the following are appointed as interim Co-Lead Class

Counsel: 

Schiffrin Barroway Topaz and Kessler, LLP, 280 King of Prussia Road, Radnor, PA,

19807, Telephone 610-667-7706, Facsimile 610-667-7056; 2125 Oak Grove Road, Suite

120, Walnut Creek, CA 90067, Telephone: 925-945-0200, Facsimile: 925-945-8792;

AND

Case 3:06-cv-04291-JSW Document 80 Filed 11/19/07 Page 2 of 3
United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

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Cotchett, Pitre & McCarthy, San Francisco Airport Office Center, 840 Malcolm Road,

Suite 200, Burlingame, CA 94010, Telephone: 650-697-6000. Facsimile: 650-697-

0577.

2. Co-Lead Class Counsel in the Consolidated Action shall have authority over the

following matters on behalf of all plaintiffs: (a) convening meetings of counsel working for the

class; (b) initiating, responding to, scheduling, briefing and arguing of all motions; (c)

determining the scope, order and conduct of all discovery proceedings; (d) assigning such work

assignments to other counsel as they may deem appropriate; (e) retaining experts; (f)

designating which attorneys appear at the hearings and conferences with the Court; (g)

conducting settlement negotiations with defendants; and (h) other matters concerning the

prosecution of or resolution of their respective cases.

3. All Plaintiffs’ counsel shall keep contemporaneous time and expense records, and

shall provide such records upon request to Co-Lead Class Counsel.

4. Co-Lead Class Counsel shall have authority to communicate with Defendants’

counsel and the Court on behalf of the putative class. Defendants’ counsel may rely on all

agreements made with Co-Lead Class Counsel, and such agreements shall be binding.

5. Co-Lead Class Counsel in the Consolidated Action also is charged with

administrative matters such as receiving and distributing pleadings, notices, orders, motions and

briefs, and advising parties of developments in the case.

6. Co-Lead Class Counsel shall coordinate activities to avoid duplication and

inefficiency in the filing, serving, and/or implementation of pleadings, other court papers,

discovery papers, and discovery practice.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: November 19, 2007 

JEFFREY S. WHITE

UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

Case 3:06-cv-04291-JSW Document 80 Filed 11/19/07 Page 3 of 3