Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-casd-3_14-cv-01156/USCOURTS-casd-3_14-cv-01156-8/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 790
Nature of Suit: Other Labor Litigation
Cause of Action: 28:1332pr Diversity-Petition for Removal

---

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

MARJAN ATAIPOUR, et al.,

Plaintiffs,

CASE NO. 14cv1156-LAB (JLB)

ORDER APPROVING SETTLEMENT

vs.

COSTCO WHOLESALE

CORPORATION,

Defendant.

About three years ago, Marjan Ataipour and other employees filed a class action

against Costco for labor code violations. After the parties settled for $9 million, the Court held

a fairness hearing on December 4, 2017, to approve the settlement. This order augments

the rulings made at that hearing.

1

The Court must ensure that a class action settlement is “fair, reasonable, and

adequate.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 23. After carefully reviewing the case history, briefs, and counsel’s

arguments at the fairness hearing, the Court finds the parties negotiated a fair settlement.

No class members objected, only eight opted out, and the Court has reduced attorney’s fees

by $500,000 to ensure class members receive fair, reasonable, and adequate compensation.

[See Dkt. 161.] The Court confirms its previous findings certifying the class for settlement,

approving the class action as the best method for resolution, appointing class counsel and

representatives, and approving the notice program to class members. [Dkt. 153.]

1 The Court granted counsel’s motion to withdraw from representing former named

plaintiffs Paula Dittmar and Pauline Tilton, and substituted Marjan Ataipour and Brian Kim

as named class representatives. [Dkt. 137.]

- 1 -

Case 3:14-cv-01156-JLB Document 164 Filed 01/05/18 PageID.<pageID> Page 1 of 2
1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

The Court also approves the following expenses as fair and reasonable: (i) payment

to the California Labor and Workforce Development Agency under the Private Attorneys

General Act for $37,500; and (ii) payment to the settlement administrator CPT Group for

$17,500.

The Court authorizes CPT Group to disburse funds in accordance with this order, the

order on attorney's fees and awards [Dkt. 161], and the settlement. [Dkt. 147-2.] The Court

grants the parties’ motion consenting to jurisdiction by a magistrate judge over all disputes

arising out of the settlement. Accordingly, the motion for final approval of the settlement is

granted. [Dkt. 155.] The Clerk is directed to enter final judgment and close the case.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

DATED: January 4, 2018

HONORABLE LARRY ALAN Burns

United States District Judge

- 2 -

Case 3:14-cv-01156-JLB Document 164 Filed 01/05/18 PageID.<pageID> Page 2 of 2