Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-3_14-cv-02349/USCOURTS-cand-3_14-cv-02349-12/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 385
Nature of Suit: Property Damage - Product Liability
Cause of Action: 28:1332 Diversity-Product Liability

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United States District Court

Northern District of California

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 

DIGBY ADLER GROUP, LLC, et al.,

Plaintiffs, 

v. 

MERCEDES-BENZ U.S.A., LLC, 

Defendant. 

Case No. 14-cv-02349-TEH 

ORDER GRANTING MOTION FOR 

ATTORNEYS’ FEES AND COSTS 

 

On May 13, 2016, Class Counsel filed a Motion for Award of Attorneys’ Fees and 

Costs. ECF No. 69. On August 30, 2016, this Court entered an Order Granting Motions 

for Final Approval of Class Action Settlement and Attorneys’ Fees and Costs, ECF No. 75; 

however, the Order did not mention attorneys’ fees and costs. On August 31, 2016, the 

parties filed a Stipulation and Proposed Order Awarding Attorneys’ Fees and Costs. ECF 

No. 77. The Court, having read the papers filed with regard to Plaintiff’s Motion for 

Award of Attorneys’ Fees and Costs, hereby FINDS AND ORDERS as follows: 

1. Class Counsel’s billing judgment adjusted lodestar of $869,248.90 incurred 

through May 10, 2016 is reasonable under the circumstances of this case. The rates that 

Class Counsel have charged are reasonable and within the range of rates customarily 

charged by attorneys of comparable skill, qualifications, and experience in the San 

Francisco Bay Area. 

2. Plaintiff has also incurred costs and expenses in connection with the 

litigation in the amount of $18,622.55 through May 10, 2016. These costs are reasonable 

in nature and amount, and Plaintiff has submitted adequate documentation to support them. 

3. The agreement for Defendant to pay $1,000,000 was the product of arm’s 

length negotiations in which Defendant had every motivation to minimize the award 

amount. There is no indication of any collusion by the parties to the detriment of the class. 

The fee award was negotiated after class relief was settled first. 

Case 3:14-cv-02349-TEH Document 78 Filed 09/01/16 Page 1 of 2
United States District Court

Northern District of California

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4. Class Counsel performed its work on this case in a skillful and efficient 

manner. The settlement that Plaintiff achieved will benefit a nationwide class, promotes 

judicial economy, and serves the public interest. 

5. In the present case, a multiplier of 1.13 is appropriate given the considerable 

contingent risk involved in this case. Moreover, the quality of representation was high. 

The case settled efficiently, on terms that provided substantive and substantial relief for the 

class. The result achieved is excellent. 

Accordingly, with good cause appearing, the Court hereby APPROVES Class 

Counsel’s request for an award of $1,000,000 in reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs. 

Defendant shall make payment of this award to Class Counsel in accordance with the 

terms of the Settlement Agreement. This Court shall retain jurisdiction to ensure the terms 

of this order are complied with. 

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: 09/01/16 _____________________________________ 

THELTON E. HENDERSON 

United States District Judge 

Case 3:14-cv-02349-TEH Document 78 Filed 09/01/16 Page 2 of 2