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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF FLORIDA

WEST PALM BEACH DIVISION

Case No. 20-cv-81066-Matthewman

JAMES VELASQUEZ,

Plaintiff,

vs. 

RKC LAND DEVELOPMENT, INC.

a Florida For-Profit Corporation, and

ROBERT K. CARTER, JR., individually,

Defendants.

 _________/

ORDER GRANTING THE PARTIES’ JOINT MOTION FOR APPROVAL OF

PARTIES’ SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT AND DISMISSAL WITH PREJUDICE [DE 

15], APPROVING SETTLEMENT, AND DISMISSING ACTION WITH PREJUDICE

THIS CAUSE came before the Court upon the parties’ Joint Motion for Approval of 

Parties’ Settlement Agreement and Dismissal with Prejudice (“Motion”) [DE 15]. In their Motion, 

the parties seek an Order approving their settlement and dismissing this action with prejudice. Id. 

The parties have emailed to the undersigned the executed Settlement Agreement and Mutual 

Release for in camera review. 

The Court held a fairness hearing via Zoom video teleconference (VTC) on September 2, 

2020, during which the Court heard from the parties’ counsel regarding the fairness of the 

settlement of Plaintiff’s claims alleging violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act (“FLSA”), 29 

U.S.C. § 201 et seq. At the hearing, the parties’ counsel represented that the settlement is fair and 

reasonable and that Plaintiff and Defendants are in agreement with the terms of the settlement. The 

parties’ counsel also requested that the Court reserve jurisdiction to enforce the terms of the 

settlement. 

KJZ Sep 3, 2020 West Palm Beach

Case 9:20-cv-81066-WM Document 24 Entered on FLSD Docket 09/03/2020 Page 1 of 2
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The Court has reviewed the Motion, the parties’ Settlement Agreement and Mutual Release

and the entire file in this case, has considered all of the factors outlined in Lynn’s Food Stores, Inc. 

v. United States, 679 F. 2d 1350, 1353 (11th Cir. 1982), and is otherwise fully advised in the 

premises. The Court finds that the settlement in this case represents a genuine compromise of a 

bona fide dispute, with all parties represented by competent counsel. Plaintiff is being paid an 

amount he believes he is owed well prior to the trial date. The parties have agreed to settle due to 

reasonable strategic and financial considerations. The Court further finds that the settlement, 

including the attorney’s fees and costs, reached by the parties represents a reasonable, arm’s length

compromise by both sides and is fair and reasonable. Based on the foregoing, it is hereby

ORDERED and ADJUDGED as follows:

1. The Court finds the settlement of Plaintiff’s FLSA claim as set forth in the settlement 

agreement between Plaintiff and Defendants to be fair and reasonable. The Court also 

finds that the settlement meets the standard set forth in Lynn’s Food Stores, Inc.

Accordingly, the parties’ Joint Motion for Approval of Parties’ Settlement Agreement and 

Dismissal with Prejudice [DE 15] is GRANTED.

2. The parties’ settlement is APPROVED.

3. The above-style action is DISMISSED WITH PREJUDICE. 

4. The Court retains jurisdiction to enforce the terms of the parties’ settlement agreement, 

should such enforcement be necessary. 

DONE AND ORDERED in Chambers at West Palm Beach, Florida, this 3rd day of 

September, 2020.

WILLIAM MATTHEWMAN 

United States Magistrate Judge

Case 9:20-cv-81066-WM Document 24 Entered on FLSD Docket 09/03/2020 Page 2 of 2