Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-3_06-cv-02563/USCOURTS-cand-3_06-cv-02563-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 710
Nature of Suit: Fair Labor Standards Act
Cause of Action: 28:1331 Fed. Question

---

5

6

7

8

9

10

DAVID BORGEN, CA Bar No. 099354

LAURA L. HO, CA Bar No. 173179

MEETALI JAIN, CA Bar No. 214237

GOLDSTEIN, DEMCHAK, BALLER,

BORGEN & DARDARIAN

300 Lakeside Drive, Suite 1000

Oakland, CA 94612

(510) 763-9800

(510) 835-1417 (fax)

Attorneys for Plaintiffs

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

SAN FRANCISCO DIVISION

STEVE BOREN, RON KINERMAN, Case No. C06-02563-SI

HECTOR BRISENO, individually and on

behalf of all others similarly situated, [PROPOSED] PRELIMINARY

APPROVAL ORDER

Plaintiffs,

V.

KRAFT FOODS GLOBAL, INC., a

publicly held corporation, and DOES 1

through 10, inclusive,

Defendants.

w02-SD:DSx\51415655.2 [PROPOSED] PRELIMINARY APPROVAL ORDER

Case No C06-02563-SI

Case 3:06-cv-02563-SI Document 8 Filed 06/23/2006 Page 1 of 8
 Case 3:06-cv-02563-SI Document 9 Filed 06/26/06 Page 1 of 8
I

6

7

8

9

10

12

13

14

15

6

28

WHEREAS, this action is pending before this Court as a class action (the

"Action"); and

WHEREAS, Class Counsel have applied to this Court for an order

preliminarily approving the settlement of the Action in accordance with a Stipulation and

Settlement Agreement of Class Action Claims (the "Stipulation" or "Settlement"), which,

together with the exhibits annexed thereto, sets forth the terms and conditions for a

proposed settlement and dismissal of the Action with prejudice upon the terms and

conditions set forth therein; and the Court having read and considered the Stipulation and

the exhibits annexed thereto;

NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED:

1. This Order incorporates by reference the definitions in the Stipulation, and

all terms defined therein shall have the same meaning in this Order as set forth in the

Stipulation.

2. The Court hereby conditionally certifies the Class for settlement purposes

only. Should for whatever reason the Settlement not become final, the fact that the Parties

were willing to stipulate to class certification as part of the Settlement shall have no

bearing on, nor be admissible in connection with, the issue of whether of a class should be

certified in a non-settlement context.

3. Named Plaintiffs Steve Boren, Ron Kinerman, and Hector Briseno are

hereby appointed and designated, for all purposes, as the representatives of the Class, and

the following attorneys are hereby appointed and designated as counsel for the Named

Plaintiffs and the Class ("Class Counsel"):

David Borgen and Laura Ho

Goldstein, Demchak, Baller, Borgen & Dardarian

300 Lakeside Drive, Suite 1000

Oakland, CA 94612

Class Counsel is authorized to act on behalf of Class Members with respect

to all acts or consents required by, or which may be given pursuant to, the Settlement, and

such other acts reasonably necessary to consummate the Settlement. Any Class Member

-1-

wog-SD:DSH\51415655.2 [PROPOSED] PRELIMINARY APPROVAL ORDER

Case No. C06-02563-SI

Case 3:06-cv-02563-SI Document 8 Filed 06/23/2006 Page 2 of 8
 Case 3:06-cv-02563-SI Document 9 Filed 06/26/06 Page 2 of 8
I

7

8

9

10

may enter an appearance through counsel of such Class Member's own choosing and at

such Class Member's own expense. Any Class Member who does not enter an appearance

or appear on his or her own will be represented by Class Counsel.

4. The Court hereby approves the definition and disposition of the Settlement

Fund and related matters provided for in the Stipulation.

5. The Court hereby preliminarily approves the Stipulation and the settlement

contained therein, including the Fees Award of $38,000, and the Named Plaintiffs'

Incentive Awards of $4,000 each, or $12,000 total. The Court finds on a preliminary basis

that the Stipulation appears to be within the range of reasonableness of a settlement that

could ultimately be given final approval by this Court. The Court has reviewed the

monetary recovery that is being granted as part of the Settlement and recognizes the

significant value to the Class of that monetary recovery. It appears to the Court on a

preliminary basis that the settlement amount is fair, adequate and reasonable as to all

potential Class Members when balanced against the probable outcome of further litigation

relating to liability and damages issues. It further appears that extensive and costly

investigation and research have been conducted such that counsel for the Parties at this

time are able to reasonably evaluate their respective positions. It further appears to the

Court that settlement at this time will avoid substantial additional costs by all Parties, as

well as avoid the delay and risks that would be presented by the further prosecution of the

Action. It further appears that the Settlement has been reached as the result of intensive,

serious and non-collusive, arms-length negotiations.

6. A hearing (the "Settlement Hearing") shall be held before this Court on

September 22, 2006, at 9:00 a.m. in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of

California, Dept. 10, 450 Golden Gate Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94102, to determine all

necessary matters concerning the Settlement, including: whether the proposed settlement

of the Action on the terms and conditions provided for in the Stipulation is fair, adequate

and reasonable and should be finally approved by the Court; whether a Judgment, as

provided in the Stipulation, should be entered herein; whether the plan of allocation

W02-SD: DSH\51415655.2

Case No. C06-02563-SI

[PROPOSED] PRELIMINARY APPROVAL ORDER

-2-

Case 3:06-cv-02563-SI Document 8 Filed 06/23/2006 Page 3 of 8
 Case 3:06-cv-02563-SI Document 9 Filed 06/26/06 Page 3 of 8
6

6

17

contained in the Stipulation should be approved as fair, adequate and reasonable to the

Class Members; and to finally approve Class Counsel's Fees Award and the Named

Plaintiffs' Incentive Awards.

The Court 7. hereby approves, as to form and content, the Notice and Claim

Form annexed as Exhibits 1 and 2 to the Stipulation. The Court finds that the distribution

of the Notice and Claim Form substantially in the manner and form set forth in the

Stipulation and this Order meets the requirements of due process, is the best notice

practicable under the circumstances, and shall constitute due and sufficient notice to all

persons entitled thereto.

8. The Court hereby appoints Gilardi & Co. LLC, 1115 Magnolia Avenue,

Larkspur, CA 94939 as Claims Administrator and hereby directs the Claims Administrator

to mail or cause to be mailed to Plaintiffs the Notice and Claim Form by first class mail

within 30 days after the entry of this Preliminary Order (the "Notice Date") using the

procedures set forth in the Stipulation. Plaintiffs who wish to participate in the settlement

provided for by the Stipulation ("Settlement Class Members") must complete and return

the Claim Form pursuant to the instructions contained therein by first class mail or

equivalent, postage paid, within 30 days of the Notice Date.

Any9. Plaintiff may choose to opt out of and be excluded from the Class as

provided in the Notice by following the instructions for requesting exclusion from the

Class that are set forth in the Notice. All requests for exclusion must be submitted as

provided in the Notice. Any such person who chooses to opt out of and be excluded from

the Class will not be entitled to any recovery under the Settlement and will not be bound

by the Settlement or have any right to object, appeal or comment thereon. Any written

request to opt out must be signed by each such person opting out. Plaintiffs who have not

requested exclusion shall be bound by all determinations of the Court, the Stipulation and

Judgment, with the exception as to the federal claims that only those filing the Claim Form

will be bound.

W02-SD: DSH151415655.2

Case No. C06-02563-SI

[PROPOSED] PRELIMINARY APPROVAL ORDER

3-

Case 3:06-cv-02563-SI Document 8 Filed 06/23/2006 Page 4 of 8
 Case 3:06-cv-02563-SI Document 9 Filed 06/26/06 Page 4 of 8
5

6

7

26

27

28

10. Any Class Member may appear at the Settlement Hearing and may object or

express the Member's views regarding the Settlement, and may present evidence and file

briefs or other papers, that may be proper and relevant to the issues to be heard and

determined by the Court as provided in the Notice. However, no Class Member or any

other person shall be heard or entitled to object, and no papers or briefs submitted by any

such person shall be received or considered by the Court, unless on or before 30 days after

the Notice Date, that person has served by hand or by first class mail written objections

and copies of any papers and briefs in support of their position and verification of their

membership in the Class upon: (1) Goldstein, Demchak, Baller, Borgen & Dardarian,

Attn.: Laura L. Ho, 300 Lakeside Drive, Suite 1000, Oakland, CA 94612; and (2)

Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP, Attn.: Samantha D. Hardy, 501 West

Broadway, 19th Floor, San Diego, CA 92101, and filed the objections, papers and briefs

with the Clerk of this Court. In order to be valid, the papers must be filed with the Clerk of

this Court and received by all of the above counsel on or before 30 days after the Notice

Date. Any Class Member who does not make his or her objection in the manner provided

for in this Order shall be deemed to have waived such objection and shall forever be

foreclosed from making any objection to the Settlement.

11. All papers in support of the Settlement shall be filed with the Court and

served on the Parties' Counsel no later than 5 Court days before the Settlement Hearing.

12. All Claims Administration Expenses shall be paid for by Kraft.

13. The Fees Award shall be paid to Class Counsel. Upon payment to Class

Counsel, Kraft, the Released Parties, Kraft's Counsel, and the Claims Administrator shall

have no further liability or responsibility to Class Counsel, or any vendors or third parties

employed by Plaintiffs or the Class Counsel, for attorneys fees, expenses and/or costs

incurred by the Class Counsel on behalf of Plaintiffs in the Action.

14. To the extent permitted by law, pending final determination as to whether the

settlement contained in the Stipulation should be approved, the Plaintiffs, whether directly,

0

w0e-SD:DSH151415655 2 [PROPOSED] PRELIMINARY APPROVAL ORDER

Case No. C06-02563-SI

Case 3:06-cv-02563-SI Document 8 Filed 06/23/2006 Page 5 of 8
 Case 3:06-cv-02563-SI Document 9 Filed 06/26/06 Page 5 of 8
1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

representatively, or in any other capacity, whether or not such persons have appeared in the

Action, shall not institute or prosecute any Released Claims against the Released Parties.

15. The Settlement is not a concession or admission, and shall not be used

against Kraft or any of the Released Parties as an admission or indication with respect to

any claim of any fault or omission by Kraft or any of the Released Parties. Whether or not

the Settlement is finally approved, neither the Settlement, nor any document, statement,

proceeding or conduct related to the Settlement, nor any reports or accounts thereof, shall

in any event be:

a. Construed as, offered or admitted in evidence as, received as or

deemed to be evidence for any purpose adverse to the Released Parties, including, but not

limited to, evidence of a presumption, concession, indication or admission by Kraft or any

of the Released Parties of any liability, fault, wrongdoing, omission, concession or

damage; or

b. Disclosed, referred to, or offered or received in evidence against any

of the Released Parties in any further proceeding in the Action, or in any other civil,

criminal or administrative action or proceeding, except for purposes of settling the Action

pursuant to the Stipulation.

16. As of the date this Order is signed, all dates and deadlines associated with

the Action shall be stayed, other than those related to the administration of the Settlement

of the Action.

17. In the event the Settlement does not become effective in accordance with the

terms of the Stipulation, or the Settlement is not finally approved, or is terminated,

canceled or fails to become effective for any reason, this Order shall be rendered null and

void and shall be vacated, and the Parties shall revert to their respective positions as of

before entering into the Stipulation.

18. The Court reserves the right to adjourn or continue the date of the Settlement

Hearing and all dates provided for in the Stipulation without further notice to Class

=5-

wo2-SD:DSH\.51415655.2 [PROPOSED] PRELIMINARY APPROVAL ORDER

Case No. C06-02563-SI

Case 3:06-cv-02563-SI Document 8 Filed 06/23/2006 Page 6 of 8
 Case 3:06-cv-02563-SI Document 9 Filed 06/26/06 Page 6 of 8
Members, and retains jurisdiction to consider all further applications arising out of or

connected with the proposed Settlement.

Dated:

JUDGE OF THE U.S. DISTRICT COURT

5

6

7

w02-SD:DSH\51415655.2 [PROPOSED] PRELIMINARY APPROVAL ORDER

Case No. C06-02563-SI

Case 3:06-cv-02563-SI Document 8 Filed 06/23/2006 Page 7 of 8

6/23/06

Case 3:06-cv-02563-SI Document 9 Filed 06/26/06 Page 7 of 8
PROOF OF SERVICE

STATE OF CALIFORNIA COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO

I am employed in the County of San Diego; I am over the age of eighteen

years and not a party to the within entitled action; my business address is 501 West

Broadway, 19th Floor, San Diego, California 92101-3598.

On June 23, 2006, I served the following document(s) described as [PROPOSED]

PRELIMINARY APPROVAL ORDER on the interested party(ies) in this action by

placing true copies thereof enclosed in sealed envelopes and/or packages addressed as

follows:

David Borgen, Esq.

Goldstein, Demchak, Baller, Borgen & Dardarian

300 Lakeside Drive, Suite 1000

Oakland, CA 94612

Telephone: (510) 763-9800

Facsimile: (510) 835-1417

Attorneys for Plaintiffs

BY MAIL: I am "readily familiar" with the firm's practice of collection and

processing correspondence for mailing. Under that practice it would be deposited

with the U. S. postal service on that same day with postage thereon fully prepaid at

San Diego, California in the ordinary course of business. I am aware that on motion

of the party served, service is presumed invalid if postal cancellation date or postage

meter date is more than one day after date of deposit for mailing in affidavit.

q BY OVERNIGHT DELIVERY: I served such envelope or package to be

delivered on the same day to an authorized courier or driver authorized by the

overnight service carrier to receive documents, in an envelope or package

designated by the overnight service carrier.

q BY FACSIMILE: I served said document(s) to be transmitted by facsimile

pursuant to Rule 2008 of the California Rules of Court. The telephone number of

the sending facsimile machine was 619-234-3815. The name(s) and facsimile

machine telephone number(s) of the person(s) served are set forth in the service list.

The sending facsimile machine (or the machine used to forward the facsimile)

issued a transmission report confirming that the transmission was complete and

without error. Pursuant to Rule 2008(e), a copy of that report is attached to this

declaration.

FEDERAL: I declare that I am employed in the office of a member of the bar of

this Court at whose direction the service was made. I declare under penalty of

perjury under the laws of the United States of America that the foregoing is true and

correct.

Executed on June 23, 2006, at San Diego, California.

W02-WEST:8RMB1\400023212.1 -1- Case No.: C06-02563-SI

28

Case 3:06-cv-02563-SI Document 8 Filed 06/23/2006 Page 8 of 8
 Case 3:06-cv-02563-SI Document 9 Filed 06/26/06 Page 8 of 8