Opinion ID: 735522
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 8

Heading: James Barrett

Text: 56 James Barrett, now deceased, was a PSI broker. His brother Thomas bought partnerships, 3 but was not a PSI employee. At the time of the settlement, the Barretts were co-plaintiffs in an arbitration against PSI. James Barrett had also brought a separate arbitration proceeding against PSI, alleging both age and handicap discrimination claims as well as claims arising out of his sale of partnerships. J.A. 739, 1050. As a result of a PSI input error, James Barrett was omitted from the settlement mailing list and did not receive notice, although Thomas did. The Barretts' attorney believed that James was not a class member, and did not timely submit an opt out form on his behalf. James Barrett's motion to opt out late was denied with the other brokers' on January 18. 57 The notice published in three major newspapers--and received by James Barrett's brother--indicated that the release was very broad. Despite the lack of mailed notice, the Barretts' attorney knew of the class action and settlement, and could have followed up on it. There was room for the exercise of discretion in favor of James Barrett, but we think that the denial of the motion was not an abuse of discretion. The injunction barring claims released in the settlement does not bar James Barrett's discrimination claims, which he apparently remains free to pursue, as PSI advised in a letter dated December 1, 1995.