Kenneth Cole Unpaid Internship Class Action Settlement

Current and former Kenneth Cole interns can now claim payment under a recent unpaid internship class action settlement.

This Kenneth Cole class action lawsuit was filed by plaintiff Oluseyi Awogbile, who previously worked for Kenneth Cole in an unpaid internship. Awogbile claims that Kenneth Cole abused its privilege of hosting internships by having unpaid interns like himself perform work that should have been compensated as if the interns were ordinary employees.

Awogbile argues that Kenneth Cole violated New York labor laws that govern the conduct of unpaid internships. On behalf of himself and other Kenneth Cole unpaid interns, he sought compensation for unpaid wages and the costs associated with having to litigate these claims.

Kenneth Cole maintains it has not violated any labor laws but has instead agreed to this class action settlement in the interest of avoiding the cost and expense associated with further litigation.

Under terms of the settlement, Kenneth Cole agrees to put up a settlement fund not to exceed $354,375. The fund will be distributed among qualifying Class Members after it is used to cover the costs of settlement administration, a service payment to Awogbile for serving as the named plaintiff, and class counsel’s attorney fees and costs.

Class Members who want to object to the settlement or exclude themselves from it must do so in writing by Oct. 16, 2017.

Who’s Eligible

The settlement Class covers all persons who worked as current and former interns for Kenneth Cole Productions Inc. and Kenneth Cole Consumer Direct LLC between Dec. 2, 2008 and July 31, 2017.

The settlement Class is divided into verified and unverified Class Members. Verified Class Members were determined according to Kenneth Cole’s records and were sent a Class notice and Claim Form on Aug. 16, 2017. Verified Class Members have an earlier claim deadline.

Unverified Class Members are those who worked a qualifying internship but were not identified in Kenneth Cole’s records. These Class Members have not been sent a Class notice or Claim Form. Unverified Class Members must supplement their claim with documentation proving they worked a qualifying internship.

Potential Award

$315

Class Members who submit valid and timely claims can receive payments of $315 per intern. That amount could be reduced by any applicable payroll taxes or if more than 40 percent of Class Members join the Class.

Proof of Purchase

All Class Members must submit a signed and filled-out Claim Form, a copy of a government-issued ID, and a completed IRS Form W-9.

Unverified Class Members must also submit proof that they worked a qualifying Kenneth Cole unpaid internship during the applicable time period.

Claim Form

CLICK HERE TO FILE A CLAIM PDF »

There is no online Claim Form. Claim Forms and other necessary documentation may be submitted by mail, email or fax.

Claim Form Deadline

10/16/2017 for verified Class Members

2/12/2018 for unverified Class Members

Case Name

In re: Kenneth Cole Productions Inc. Intern Settlement, Case No. 161886/2014, in the Supreme Court of the State of New York for New York County

Final Hearing

7/31/2017

Settlement Website

KCPInternSettlement.com

Claims Administrator

In re Kenneth Cole Productions Inc. Intern Settlement
c/o Kurtzman Carson Consultants
P.O. Box 404017
Louisville, KY 40233-4017
KennethColeIntern@kccllc.com
Phone: 1-877-728-3821
Fax: 1-877-848-4153

Class Counsel

Lloyd Ambinder
LaDonna M. Lusher
Alison Genova
Michelle Moreno
VIRGINIA & AMBINDER LLP

Michael A. Tompkins
Jeffrey K. Brown
Brett Cohen
LEEDS BROWN LAW PC

Defense Counsel

MORGAN LEWIS & BOCKIUS LLP

Join a Free Wage & Hour Class Action Lawsuit Investigation

If you were forced to work off the clock or without overtime pay within the past three years, you have rights – and you don’t have to take on the company alone.

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