Filed: May 06, 2014
Latest Update: May 06, 2014
Summary: ORDER ADOPTING FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS GRANTING CLASS CERTIFICATION LAWRENCE J. O'NEILL, District Judge. By notice filed on September 20, 2013, plaintiff Troy Lindell ("Plaintiff") filed a motion to certify two putative classes in this matter. (Doc. 87.) Synthes 1 filed an opposition on November 5, 2013. (Doc. 115.) Plaintiff filed his reply on November 25, 2013. (Doc. 121.) The matter was referred to United States Magistrate Judge Barbara A. McAuliffe pursuant to 28 U.S.C. 636(b)(1)(B
Summary: ORDER ADOPTING FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS GRANTING CLASS CERTIFICATION LAWRENCE J. O'NEILL, District Judge. By notice filed on September 20, 2013, plaintiff Troy Lindell ("Plaintiff") filed a motion to certify two putative classes in this matter. (Doc. 87.) Synthes 1 filed an opposition on November 5, 2013. (Doc. 115.) Plaintiff filed his reply on November 25, 2013. (Doc. 121.) The matter was referred to United States Magistrate Judge Barbara A. McAuliffe pursuant to 28 U.S.C. 636(b)(1)(B)..
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ORDER ADOPTING FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS GRANTING CLASS CERTIFICATION
LAWRENCE J. O'NEILL, District Judge.
By notice filed on September 20, 2013, plaintiff Troy Lindell ("Plaintiff") filed a motion to certify two putative classes in this matter. (Doc. 87.) Synthes1 filed an opposition on November 5, 2013. (Doc. 115.) Plaintiff filed his reply on November 25, 2013. (Doc. 121.) The matter was referred to United States Magistrate Judge Barbara A. McAuliffe pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1)(B) and Local Rule 302. The Court heard oral arguments on the matter on February 24, 2014. (Doc. 138.)
On March 4, 2014, the Magistrate Judge issued Findings and Recommendations that Plaintiff's Motion for Class Certification be GRANTED. (Doc. 139.) The Findings and Recommendations were served on all parties appearing in the action and contained notice that any objections were to be filed within fifteen (15) days of the date of service of the order. Id. at 33: 17-20. On March 24, 2014, Synthes filed objections to the Magistrate Judge's Findings and Recommendations. (Doc. 140.) Plaintiff filed an opposition on April 10, 2014. (Doc. 144.) Defendants filed a reply on May 5, 2014. (Doc. 147.)2
In accordance with the provisions of 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1)(C), this Court has conducted a de novo review of the case. Having carefully reviewed the entire file, including Synthes' objections, the Court concludes that the Magistrate Judge's Findings and Recommendations are supported by the record and proper analysis.
This Court is not persuaded by Synthes' objections. Synthes' objections are virtually identical to the arguments considered and properly rejected by the Magistrate Judge's well-reasoned Findings and Recommendations. This Court rejects Synthes' objections for the same reasons stated in the Magistrate Judge's Findings and Recommendations.
Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that:
1. The Findings and Recommendations issued March 4, 2014, are ADOPTED IN FULL;
2. Plaintiff's Motion for Class Certification is GRANTED;
3. The following classes are certified:
a) An Expense Class of all former, current, and future sales consultants who have been, are, or will be employed by Synthes in California from four years prior to the filing of this action (December 13, 2007) to the date of final disposition, and who are subject to the following straight commission compensation policies:
i) The policy that sales consultants from the Trauma and Spine Sales Divisions who receive straight commission are not eligible for an automobile allowance or in-territory business expense reimbursement; and
ii) The policy that sales consultants from the CMF Sales Division receive a predetermined base salary of $30,000, plus a higher level of commission with no expenses; and
b) A Deductions Class of all former, current, and future Sales Consultants who have been, are, or will be employed by Synthes in California from four years prior to the filing of this action (December 13, 2007) to the date of final disposition, who at some time during Synthes' employ had a deduction assessed against them.
4. The Court FURTHER ORDERS that Troy M. Lindell is appointed as Class representative;
5. The Court FURTHER ORDERS the law firm of Lewis Feinberg Renaker & Jackson is appointed as Lead Class Counsel, and the law firm of Lang, Richert & Patch is appointed as Class Counsel.
6. A Scheduling Conference is set for June 3, 2014, at 8:30 AM, in Courtroom 8, before United States Magistrate Judge Barbara A. McAuliffe. The parties shall file a Joint Scheduling Report at least one week prior to the Scheduling conference.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
