Fonseca, David vs. Chimienti & Associates
Case Information
Motion(s)
Continued Motion for Preliminary Approval
Motion Type Tags
Motion for Preliminary Approval of Class Settlement
Parties
- Plaintiff: David Fonseca
- Defendant: Chimienti & Associates
Attorneys
- Jeff Ostrow (Kopelowitz Ostrow, P.A.) — for Plaintiff
- Kenneth J. Grunfeld (Kopelowitz Ostrow, P.A.) — for Plaintiff
- Kristen L. Cardoso (Kopelowitz Ostrow, P.A.) — for Plaintiff
- Courtney E. Maccarone (Kopelowitz Ostrow, P.A.) — for Plaintiff
- Steven P. Sukert (Kopelowitz Ostrow, P.A.) — for Plaintiff
- Andrew W. Haussdorf (Kopelowitz Ostrow, P.A.) — for Plaintiff
- Allyson Stuart (Kopelowitz Ostrow, P.A.) — for Plaintiff
- Tyler Bean (Siri & Glimstad, LLP) — for Plaintiff
- Catherine Ybarra (Siri & Glimstad, LLP) — for Plaintiff
- Neil Williams (Siri & Glimstad, LLP) — for Plaintiff
- Kennedy Brian (Siri & Glimstad, LLP) — for Plaintiff
- Alcira Pena (Siri & Glimstad, LLP) — for Plaintiff
- Delilah Estefano (Siri & Glimstad, LLP) — for Plaintiff
- Cherie Cornfield (Siri & Glimstad, LLP) — for Plaintiff
- Leigh S. Montgomery (Ellzey Kherkher Sanford Montgomery, LLP) — for Plaintiff
- Josh Sanford (Ellzey Kherkher Sanford Montgomery, LLP) — for Plaintiff
- Natischa Volpe (Ellzey Kherkher Sanford Montgomery, LLP) — for Plaintiff
- Alice Newlin (Ellzey Kherkher Sanford Montgomery, LLP) — for Plaintiff
- Raya Jacob (Ellzey Kherkher Sanford Montgomery, LLP) — for Plaintiff
- Katheryn Orms (Ellzey Kherkher Sanford Montgomery, LLP) — for Plaintiff
- Raina Borrelli (Strauss Borrelli, PLLC) — for Plaintiff
- Samuel Strauss (Strauss Borrelli, PLLC) — for Plaintiff
- Cassandra Miller (Strauss Borrelli, PLLC) — for Plaintiff
- Alex Phillips (Strauss Borrelli, PLLC) — for Plaintiff
- Stephen Pigozzi (Strauss Borrelli, PLLC) — for Plaintiff
- Andrew Gunem (Strauss Borrelli, PLLC) — for Plaintiff
- John Erickson (Strauss Borrelli, PLLC) — for Plaintiff
Ruling
Case No.: VCU315048 Date: May 26, 2026
Time: 8:30 A.M. Dept. 2-The Honorable Bret D. Hillman Motion: Continued Motion for Preliminary Approval Tentative Ruling: To grant the motion; to set the motion for final approval for January 12, 2027, 8:30 am, Dept.
2.
Background
The Court previously continued this matter and ordered a supplemental declaration as to the lodestar, the presently incurred costs of counsel and the administrative costs. On May 19, 2026, Plaintiff's counsel filed a supplemental declaration addressing these issues as follows. Attorneys' Fees and Costs Attorneys' fees and costs no greater than of 33.3% of the gross settlement fund of $650,000 or $216,666.67 are sought in this matter. Counsel has utilized the percentage of common fund methodology as well as provided adequate lodestar information to evaluate the reasonableness of the fee request.
However, the Court notes that the stated rates are already higher than what is typically "... prevailing in the community for similar work." (PLCM Group Inc. v. Drexler (2000) 22 Cal.4th 1084, 1095.) The Court, therefore, adjusts the hourly rates as follows: Kopelowitz Ostrow, P.A.: Name | Stated Hourly Rate | Approved Hourly Rate | Hours | Adjusted Total | Jeff Ostrow | $1,100 | $900 | 18.5 | $16,650 | Kenneth J. Grunfeld | $1,025 |
$850 | 0.2 | $170 | Kristen L. Cardoso | $950 | $800 | 52.4 | $41,920 | Courtney E. Maccarone | $900 | $750 | 8.9 | $6,675 | Steven P. Sukert | $815 | $675 | .2 | $135 | Andrew W. Haussdorf | $250 |
$150 | 2.8 | $420 | Allyson Stuart | $250 | $150 | 1 | $150 | Adjusted Base Lodestar - Kopelowitz Ostrow, P.A.: $66,120 | Siri & Glimstad, LLP: Name | Stated Hourly Rate | Approved Hourly Rate | Hours | Adjusted Total | Tyler Bean | $905 | $750 | 20.2 | $15,150 | Catherine Ybarra
| $1,020 | $850 | 15.8 | $13,430 | Neil Williams | $625 | $500 | 40 | $20,000 | Kennedy Brian | $625 | $500 | 9.7 | $4,850 | Alcira Pena | $325 | $250 | 5.1 | $1,275 | Delilah Estefano
| $280 | $150 | 60.2 | $9,030 | Cherie Cornfield | $280 | $150 | 17.8 | $2,670 | Adjusted Base Lodestar - Siri & Glimstad, LLP: $66,405 | Ellzey Kherkher Sanford Montgomery, LLP: Name | Stated Hourly Rate | Approved Hourly Rate | Hours | Adjusted Total | Leigh S. Montgomery | $950 | $800 | 32.9 |
$26,320 | Josh Sanford | $1,000 | $850 | 10.6 | $9,010 | Natischa Volpe | $650 | $500 | 11.9 | $5,950 | Alice Newlin | $260 | $150 | 2.3 | $345 | Raya Jacob | $225 | $150 | 5.7 |