On August 29, 2023, the California Court of Appeal issued a new opinion that, once again, changes how parties litigate and settle claims brought under California’s Private Attorneys’ General Act (“PAGA”). See Robert Lacour v. Marshalls of California, LLC, et al., 94 Cal.App.5th 1172, 313 Cal.Rptr.3d 77.
Continue Reading California Court of Appeal Reminds Parties that a Plaintiff’s Pre-Litigation Notice to the LWDA Controls the Scope of PAGA Settlements

When negotiating a settlement agreement in an employment dispute, “no rehire” language is often a standard term.  This language typically bars the litigating employee from seeking re-employment with the former employer.  However, in California, at least one “no rehire” provision was invalidated because it was not narrowly tailored to the employer at issue.
Continue Reading “No Rehire” Language in Settlement Agreement Found Unlawful Where Not Narrowly Tailored

On July 24, 2012, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals issued what may turn out to be one of the more significant Fair Labor Standards Act rulings in recent years.  In Martin v. Spring Break ’83 Productions, LLC, the Fifth Circuit held that, under certain circumstances, a settlement agreement between an employer and its employees involving FLSA claims is enforceable notwithstanding the fact that neither the Department of Labor nor a court approved the agreement.  This ruling is the first appellate-level decision enforcing a private FLSA settlement and potentially opens the door for other circuits and district courts to follow suit.Continue Reading Fifth Circuit Approves Private FLSA Settlement; Calls Into Question Longstanding Assumptions Regarding FLSA Settlements