PEREIRA, INDIVIDUALLY, AND ON BEHALF OF OTHER SIMILARLY SITUATED EMPLOYEES vs L.N. CURTIS AND SONS, et al.

24CV101859: PEREIRA, INDIVIDUALLY, AND ON BEHALF OF OTHER SIMILARLY SITUATED EMPLOYEES vs L.N. CURTIS AND SONS, et al. 07/14/2026 Hearing on Motion for Attorney Fees filed by DANIEL PEREIRA, individually, and on behalf of other similarly situated employees (Plaintiff) CRS# 017964398218 in Department 21

Tentative Ruling - 07/13/2026 S. Raj Chatterjee

The Hearing on Motion for Attorney Fees filed by DANIEL PEREIRA, individually, and on behalf of other similarly situated employees (Plaintiff) CRS# 017964398218 scheduled for 07/14/2026 is continued to 09/15/2026 at 02:30 PM in Department 21 at Rene C. Davidson Courthouse.

ALLOCATION OF FEES BETWEEN COUNSEL FOR PLAINTIFFS

The motion of class counsel Blackstone Law filed 6/22/26 for allocation of attorneys’ fees is CONTINUED. (CRS 621075646328)

The motion of class counsel Lawyers for Justice filed 6/23/26 for allocation of attorneys’ fees is CONTINUED. (CRS 017964398218)

Counsel for Plaintiffs disagree on the allocation of fees. This dispute between class counsel does not affect the terms of the settlement with defendant and does not affect the distribution of funds to the members of the class.

Cal Rule Prof Conduct 1.5.1 states that “Lawyers who are not in the same law firm shall not divide a fee for legal services unless: (1) the lawyers enter into a written agreement to divide the fee; [and] (3) the client has consented in writing.” Class counsel have not identified any written agreement or indicated whether they have the consent of their clients. The Settlement Agreement does not address the allocation of fees among counsel.

The Court ORDERS Class counsel to meet and confer in an effort to enter into a written agreement to divide the fee consistent with Rule 1.5.1. At least five days before the continued hearing date counsel may file supplemental briefs with evidence. In the absence of a written agreement, the briefs are to address what relief the Court can offer in light of Chambers v. Kay (2002) 29 Cal.4th 142.

PLEASE NOTE: This tentative ruling will become the ruling of the court if uncontested by 04:00pm the day before your hearing. If you wish to contest the tentative ruling, then both notify opposing counsel directly and the court at the eCourt portal found on the court’s website: www.alameda.courts.ca.gov.