Opinion ID: 799373
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: standard of review

Text: The district court is accorded broad discretion to decide whether certification is appropriate, and we will reverse only for abuse of that discretion. Rattray v. Woodbury Cnty., Ia., 614 F.3d 831, 835 (8th Cir.2010). We also review the district court's approval of the settlement agreement as fair, reasonable, and adequate for an abuse of discretion. See Reynolds v. Nat'l Football League, 584 F.2d 280, 282 (8th Cir. 1978). Only upon the clear showing that the district court abused its discretion will this court intervene to set aside a judicially approved class action settlement. Id. at 283. We afford the district court's views [g]reat weight because the district court is exposed to the litigants, and their strategies, positions and proofs. [It] is aware of the expense and possible legal bars to success. Id. (quoting Grunin v. Int'l House of Pancakes, 513 F.2d 114, 123 (8th Cir.1975)).