Document ID: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-3_14-cv-01570/USCOURTS-cand-3_14-cv-01570-6/pdf.json

Parties Involved:
Eunice Johnson
Plaintiff
Triple Leaf Tea, Inc.
Defendant

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ORDER PRELIMINARY APPROVING CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT 

Case No.: 3:14-CV-01570-MMC 

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 

NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 

EUNICE JOHNSON, individually, on behalf of 

all others similarly situated, and the general 

public, 

 Plaintiff, 

v.

TRIPLE LEAF TEA INC., 

 Defendant. 

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CASE NO. 3:14-cv-01570-MMC 

CLASS ACTION 

[PROPOSED] ORDER 

PRELIMINARILY APPROVING 

CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT, 

CERTIFYING THE CLASS, 

APPOINTING CLASS 

REPRESENTATIVES AND CLASS 

COUNSEL, APPROVING NOTICE 

PLAN, AND SETTING FINAL 

APPROVAL HEARING 

Judge: Hon. Maxine M. Chesney 

Date: June 19, 2015 

Time: 9:00 a.m. 

Courtroom: 7 (19th Floor) 

Complaint Filed: April 4, 2014

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After arms-length settlement discussions between Plaintiff Eunice Johnson and 

Defendant Triple Leaf Tea, Inc. (the “Parties”), the Parties have entered into a Settlement 

Agreement (“Agreement”) with respect to the above captioned matter dated May 15, 2015, 

which, if approved, would resolve this putative class action (“the Litigation”). 

Case 3:14-cv-01570-MMC Document 53 Filed 06/26/15 Page 1 of 10
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ORDER PRELIMINARY APPROVING CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT 

Case No.: 3:14-CV-01570-MMC

The capitalized terms used in this Preliminary Approval Order shall have the meanings 

and/or definitions given to them in the Agreement, or if not defined therein, the meanings and/or 

definitions given to them in this Preliminary Approval Order. 

Plaintiff and Class Counsel maintain that the Litigation and the claims asserted therein 

are meritorious and that Plaintiff and the Class would have prevailed at trial. Notwithstanding, 

Plaintiff and Class Counsel state they have agreed to settle the Litigation pursuant to the 

provisions of the Agreement, after considering, among other things: (i) the substantial benefits to 

Plaintiff and the Class under the terms of this Agreement; (ii) the uncertainty of being able to 

prevail at trial; (iii) the uncertainty relating to Defendant’s defenses and the expense of additional 

motion practice in connection therewith; (iv) the issues relating to proving damages on an 

individual Class Member basis; (v) the attendant risks of litigation, especially in complex actions 

such as this, as well as the difficulties and delays inherent in such litigation; and (vi) the 

desirability of consummating this Settlement promptly in order to provide effective relief to 

Plaintiff and the Class. 

Plaintiff and Class Counsel agree that this Agreement is fair, reasonable, and adequate 

because, they argue, it provides substantial benefit to the Class, is in the best interests of the 

Class, and fairly resolves the claims alleged in this Litigation. 

Defendant expressly denies any wrongdoing alleged in the pleadings in the Litigation, 

and does not admit or concede any actual or potential fault, wrongdoing, or liability in 

connection with any facts or claims which have been or could have been alleged against it in the 

Litigation. Defendant nonetheless considers it desirable for the Litigation to be settled and 

dismissed, because, it argues, the proposed settlement will: (i) avoid further expense and 

disruption of the management and operation of Defendant’s business due to the pendency and 

defense of the Litigation; (ii) finally put Plaintiff’s and the Class’ claims and the underlying 

matters to rest; and (iii) avoid the substantial expense, burdens, and uncertainties associated with 

a potential finding of liability and damages for Plaintiff and the Class on the claims alleged in the 

Complaint in the Litigation. 

Case 3:14-cv-01570-MMC Document 53 Filed 06/26/15 Page 2 of 10
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ORDER PRELIMINARY APPROVING CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT 

Case No.: 3:14-CV-01570-MMC

The Court has read and considered the Agreement and all exhibits thereto, including the 

proposed notices and claim form, and finds there is sufficient basis for: (1) granting preliminary 

approval of the Agreement; (2) certifying a class for settlement purposes; (3) appointing Plaintiff 

Eunice Johnson as Class Representative and her counsel as Class Counsel; (4) directing that 

Notice be disseminated to the Class; and (5) setting a hearing at which the Court will consider 

whether to grant final approval of the Agreement. 

The Court now GRANTS the motion for preliminary approval and makes the following 

findings and orders:

1. Pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 23, the Court hereby certifies this 

Litigation as a class action on behalf of the following certified Class: 

All persons who purchased, on or after April 4, 2010, Defendant's Dieter's Green 

Herbal Tea, Ultra Slim Herbal Tea, and/or Super Slimming Herbal Tea Products, 

in all sizes and package iterations, for personal or household use during the Class 

Period (April 4, 2010 to October 16, 2015). Excluded from the Class are Triple 

Leaf, its employees, parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, officers and directors, and 

those who purchased the Products for resale. 

2. The Court finds that the Class meets the requirements of Rule 23(a), (b)(2), and 

(b)(3) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. Joinder of all Class Members in a single 

proceeding would be impracticable, if not impossible, because of their numbers and dispersion. 

Common issues exist among Class Members and predominate over questions affecting 

individual Class Members only. In particular, each Class Member’s claim depends on whether 

the representations made by Defendant on the packaging, labeling, and marketing of the 

Products, which were uniform throughout the United States, were misleading to a reasonable 

consumer. Plaintiff’s claims are typical of, indeed identical, to those of the Class, as Plaintiff 

was exposed to Defendant’s diet and health-related claims and purchased the Product(s) in 

reliance on those claims. Plaintiff and her counsel will fairly and adequately protect the interests 

of the Class, as Plaintiff has no interests antagonistic to the Class, and has retained counsel who 

are experienced and competent to prosecute this matter on behalf of the Class. Finally, a class 

settlement is superior to other methods available for a fair resolution of the controversy.

Case 3:14-cv-01570-MMC Document 53 Filed 06/26/15 Page 3 of 10
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ORDER PRELIMINARY APPROVING CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT 

Case No.: 3:14-CV-01570-MMC

3. The Court approves Eunice Johnson as Class Representative.

4. Having considered the factors set forth in Rule 23(g)(1) of the Federal Rules of 

Civil Procedure, the Court appoints Plaintiff’s counsel, the Law Offices of Ronald A. Marron, 

APLC, to serve as Class Counsel.

5. The Court preliminarily approves the Agreement, finding that its terms appear 

sufficient, fair, reasonable, and adequate to warrant dissemination of Notice of the proposed 

settlement to the Class. The Agreement contains no obvious deficiencies and the Parties appear 

to have entered into the Agreement in good faith, following arms-length negotiation between 

their respective counsel. The Court’s preliminary approval of this Agreement is made subject to 

further consideration at the Final Approval Hearing.

6. Pursuant to Rule 23(e) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, the Court will 

hold a final approval hearing on November 13, 2015, at 9:00 a.m. (the “Final Approval Hearing 

Date”), in Courtroom 7, United States District Court for the Northern District of California, for 

the following purposes:

a. finally determining whether the Class meets all applicable requirements of 

Federal Rules of Civil Procedure 23(a) and (b), and, thus, the Class’ 

claims should be certified for purposes of effectuating the Settlement; 

b. determining whether the proposed Settlement of the Litigation on the 

terms and conditions provided for in the Agreement is fair, reasonable, 

and adequate and should be approved by the Court; 

c. considering the application of Class Counsel for an award of attorneys’ 

fees and costs, as provided for in the Agreement; 

d. considering the application of the named Plaintiff for a class representative 

incentive award, as provided for in the Agreement; 

e. considering whether the Court should enter the [Proposed] Judgment, 

Final Order and Decree; 

f. considering whether the release by the Class Members of the Released 

Claims as set forth in the Agreement should be provided; and 

g. ruling upon such matters as the Court may deem just and appropriate. 

Case 3:14-cv-01570-MMC Document 53 Filed 06/26/15 Page 4 of 10
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ORDER PRELIMINARY APPROVING CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT 

Case No.: 3:14-CV-01570-MMC

7. Class Members must file and serve any objections to the proposed settlement no 

later than October 16, 2015, including any memoranda and/or submissions in support of the 

objections, which deadline will be set forth in the Class Notice. 

8. All papers in support of the Agreement must be filed with the Court and served at 

least fourteen (14) calendar days prior to the Final Approval Hearing Date. Any response to an 

objection must be filed and served at least fourteen (14) days prior to the Final Approval Hearing 

Date.

9. Any application for an award of attorneys’ fees and costs and class representative 

incentive award must be filed with the Court and served no later than August 11, 2015. After 

filing, the application for fees and costs and incentive award shall be posted on the Settlement 

Website for review by Class Members. 

10. The Court approves the form and procedure for disseminating Notice of the 

proposed Settlement to the Class as set forth in the Agreement, as modified by the Joint 

Supplemental Briefing, filed June 25, 2015. This Litigation concerns retail products for which 

the Parties do not have direct notice information for class members. Accordingly, the Notice 

Plan provides for notice to the Class by publication. The Court finds that the Notice Plan 

submitted by the Parties constitutes the best notice practicable under the circumstances, and 

constitutes valid and sufficient notice to the Class in full compliance with the requirements of 

applicable law, including Rule 23 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and the Due Process 

Clause of the United States Constitution. 

11. Within thirty (30) days after the date of entry of this Order, Defendant shall 

disseminate the Class Notice in the form attached hereto as Exhibits A and B. The manner and 

form of such dissemination shall be as set forth in the Notice Plan attached as Exhibit D to the 

Agreement, as modified by the Joint Supplemental Briefing. 

12. The Court approves the designation of KCC to serve as the Court-Appointed 

Class Action Administrator for the settlement. The Class Action Administrator shall disseminate 

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ORDER PRELIMINARY APPROVING CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT 

Case No.: 3:14-CV-01570-MMC

Class Notice and supervise and carry out the Notice Plan, and other administrative functions, and 

shall respond to Class Member inquiries under the direction and supervision of the Court.

13. The Court directs the Class Action Administrator to establish a Class Settlement 

Website, making available copies of this Order, Class Notice, the Settlement Agreement and all 

exhibits thereto, a toll-free hotline, and such other information as may be of assistance to Class 

Members or required under the Agreement. The Class Settlement Website shall be made 

available to Class Members no later than July 13, 2015, and continuously thereafter until thirty 

(30) days after the Final Approval Hearing. 

14. As set forth in the Agreement, within seven (7) calendar days of the date of this 

Order, Triple Leaf shall pay up to $50,000, plus any additional sums ordered by the Court, for 

the purpose of Plaintiff providing notice to the Class, including all costs and expenses associated 

with the Class Notice, creating and maintaining the Class Settlement Website, and all other Class 

Action Administrator and Class Notice expenses. The Parties shall jointly retain the services of 

KCC as their Class Action Administrator but Triple Leaf shall bear the full cost of notice if final 

approval is not granted. 

15. No later than fourteen (14) days prior to the Final Approval Hearing Date, 

Defendant, through the Class Action Administrator, shall file an affidavit and serve a copy on 

Class Counsel, attesting that notice was disseminated as required by the terms of the Notice Plan 

or as ordered by the Court. Defendant shall also notify Class Counsel of the costs of attaining 

the labeling changes per the injunctive relief set forth in the Agreement. 

16. All Class Members shall be bound by all determinations and judgments in the 

Litigation concerning the settlement, whether favorable or unfavorable to the Class. 

17. Any person falling within the definition of the Class may, upon his or her request, 

be excluded from the Class. Any such person must submit a completed request for exclusion to 

the Class Action Administrator postmarked or delivered no later than October 16, 2015 (“OptOut and Objection Deadline”). The Class Action Administrator shall promptly forward copies of 

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ORDER PRELIMINARY APPROVING CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT 

Case No.: 3:14-CV-01570-MMC

all requests for exclusion to Class Counsel and counsel for Defendant. Requests for exclusion 

purportedly filed on behalf of groups of persons are prohibited and will be deemed void. 

18. Any Class Member who does not send a completed, signed request for exclusion 

to the Class Action Administrator postmarked or delivered on or before the Opt-Out and 

Objection Deadline will be deemed to be a Class Member for all purposes and will be bound by 

all further orders of the Court in this Litigation and by the terms of the settlement, if finally 

approved by the Court. The written request for exclusion must request exclusion from the Class, 

must be signed by the potential Class Member and include a statement indicating that the person 

is a member of the Class. All persons who submit valid and timely requests for exclusion shall 

not be bound by the Agreement, if approved by the Court, or by any Final Judgment and Order. 

19. Any person falling within the definition of the Class may object to the Agreement. 

Objections purportedly filed on behalf of groups of persons are prohibited and will be deemed 

void. To be considered, all objections must be timely, in writing, signed and dated by the 

objector (or his or her attorney, if applicable), must reference the abbreviated name and case 

number of the Litigation, and must contain the following information: (i) the objector’s name, 

address, and telephone number; (ii) the name, address, and telephone number of any attorney for 

the objector with respect to the objection; and (iii) the factual basis and legal grounds for the 

objection. Plaintiff or Defendant or both may take discovery regarding the objection, subject to 

Court approval. 

20. If a Class Member hires an attorney to represent him or her in support of a timely 

and properly submitted objection, and the attorney wishes to appear at the Final Approval 

Hearing, in addition to the foregoing requirements, that attorney must (1) file both an entry of 

appearance and a notice of intention to appear and participate at the Final Approval Hearing with 

the Clerk of the Court no later than October 16, 2015, and (2) if said documents are not 

electronically filed, mail copies of the entry of appearance and the notice of intention to appear 

and participate at the Final Approval Hearing to Counsel for Defendant and Class Counsel, 

postmarked no later than October 16, 2015. 

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ORDER PRELIMINARY APPROVING CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT 

Case No.: 3:14-CV-01570-MMC

21. A Class Member who appears at the Final Approval Hearing, either personally or 

through counsel, will be permitted to argue only those matters that were set forth in the timely 

and validly submitted written objection filed by such Class Member. No Class Member shall be 

permitted to raise matters at the Final Approval Hearing that the Class Member could have raised 

in his/her written objection, but failed to do so, and all objections to the Agreement that are not 

set forth in a timely and validly submitted written objection are deemed waived. 

22. If a Class Member wishes to present witnesses or evidence at the Final Approval 

Hearing in support of a timely and validly submitted objection, all witnesses must be identified 

in the objection, and true and correct copies of all supporting evidence must be appended to, or 

filed and served with, the objection. Failure to identify witnesses or provide copies of supporting 

evidence in this manner waives any right to introduce such testimony or evidence at the Final 

Approval Hearing. 

23. All objections must be filed with the Clerk and served on the Parties’ counsel no 

later than the Opt-Out and Objection Deadline. Objections filed after the Opt-Out and Objection 

Deadline will not be considered at the Final Approval Hearing. A Class Member’s failure to 

submit a written objection within the Opt-Out and Objection Deadline, in conformance with the 

procedures set forth in the Class Notice, and above, waives any right the Class Member may 

have to object to the settlement, the Agreement, attorneys’ fees and costs, or the Class 

Representative’s incentive award. 

24. Any Class Member who fails to comply with the applicable provisions of the 

preceding paragraphs concerning their objection shall waive and forfeit any and all rights he or 

she may have to object, appear, present witness testimony, and/or submit evidence, shall be 

barred from appearing, speaking, or introducing any testimony or evidence at the Final Approval 

Hearing, and shall be bound by all the terms of the Agreement, if approved by the Court, and by 

all the proceedings, orders, and judgments in the Litigation. 

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ORDER PRELIMINARY APPROVING CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT 

Case No.: 3:14-CV-01570-MMC

25. Class Members who do not oppose the settlement, the applications for attorneys’ 

fees and costs, or Class Representative incentive award need not take any action to indicate their 

approval.

26. Class Members are preliminarily enjoined from filing, commencing, prosecuting, 

intervening in, participating in, maintaining as class members or otherwise, directly or indirectly 

through a representative or otherwise, or receiving any benefits from, any lawsuit, arbitration, 

government action, administrative or regulatory proceeding or order in any jurisdiction, forum or 

tribunal asserting any Released Claims. In addition, all persons are preliminarily enjoined from 

filing, commencing or prosecuting a lawsuit as a class action (including by seeking to amend a 

pending complaint to include class allegations or by seeking class certification in a pending 

action in any jurisdiction) on behalf of Class Members, or asserting any Released Claims. 

Nothing herein shall require any Class Member to take any affirmative action with regard to 

other pending class action litigation in which he or she may be an absent class member. 

27. The Agreement and the proceedings and statements made pursuant to the 

Agreement or papers filed relating to the approval of the Agreement, and this Order, are not and 

shall not in any event be construed as, offered in evidence as, received in evidence as, and/or 

deemed to be evidence of a presumption, concession, or an admission of any kind by any of the 

Parties of (i) the truth of any fact alleged or the validity of any claim or defense that has been, 

could have been, or in the future might be asserted in the Litigation, any other litigation, court of 

law or equity, proceeding, arbitration, tribunal, investigation, government action, administrative 

proceeding, or other forum, or (ii) any liability, responsibility, fault, wrongdoing, or otherwise of 

the Parties. Defendant has denied and continues to deny the claims asserted by Plaintiff. 

Nothing contained herein shall be construed to prevent a Party from offering the Agreement into 

evidence for the purposes of enforcement of the Agreement. 

28. The certification of the Class shall be binding only with respect to the settlement 

of this Litigation. In the event that the Agreement is terminated pursuant to its terms or is not 

finally approved by the Court, or such approval is reversed, vacated, or modified in any material 

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ORDER PRELIMINARY APPROVING CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT 

Case No.: 3:14-CV-01570-MMC

respect by this or any other Court, the certification of the Class shall be deemed vacated, the 

Litigation shall proceed as if the Class had never been certified (including Defendant’s right to 

oppose any subsequent motion for class certification), and no reference to the Class, the 

Agreement, or any documents, communications, or negotiations related in any way thereto shall 

be made for any purpose. 

IT IS SO ORDERED. 

DATED: June 26, 2015 ___________________________ 

 The Honorable Maxine M. Chesney 

 UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE 

1095193/23280086v.1

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