Case: Hayman v. Mastercard, Inc.

7:25-cv-00340 | U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York

Filed Date: Jan. 14, 2025

Case Ongoing

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

This class-action lawsuit was brought by female, Black, and Hispanic employees alleging that their employer, Mastercard, had systematically underpaid them. On January 14, 2025, Plaintiffs filed suit in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York under the Equal Pay Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, and New York State and New York City human rights statutes. The putative class, represented by private counsel, consisted of all female, Black, and/or Hispanic employees curre…

This class-action lawsuit was brought by female, Black, and Hispanic employees alleging that their employer, Mastercard, had systematically underpaid them. On January 14, 2025, Plaintiffs filed suit in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York under the Equal Pay Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, and New York State and New York City human rights statutes. The putative class, represented by private counsel, consisted of all female, Black, and/or Hispanic employees currently or formerly employed by Mastercard in career levels 4–10 in the United States. They claimed that Mastercard systematically hired female, Black, and Hispanic into lower level positions than male and/or white employees, resulting in the class being paid less for performing substantially equal or similar work. They sought class certification, back pay, damages for emotional distress, liquidated and punitive damages, and attorneys’ fees.

Along with the complaint, on January 14, 2025, Plaintiffs filed an unopposed motion for certification of the class and for settlement. Pursuant to the proposed settlement, Defendant agreed to pay $26 million to cover back pay, attorney’s fees, and damages. Defendant also agreed to undertake a review of their hiring practices and career framework and to not oppose the motion for settlement. 

Judge Jessica Clarke granted the motion for settlement on January 30, 2025, issuing a preliminary approval of the settlement and certification of the class. Final approval of the settlement is scheduled for May 14, 2025.

This case is ongoing. 

Summary Authors

Erin Lichtenstein (2/24/2025)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69541849/parties/hayman-v-mastercard-inc/


Attorney for Plaintiff

Gelfand, Shira Zahava (New York)

Greene, Cara Elizabeth (New York)

Klein, Adam T (New York)

Attorney for Defendant

Klein, Jeffrey S. (New York)

Sacksteder, Elizabeth M. (New York)

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document
1

7:25-cv-00340

Class and Collective Action Complaint for Damages and Jury Demand

Hayman v. Mastercard

Jan. 14, 2025

Jan. 14, 2025

Complaint
15

7:25-cv-00340

Order Granting Plaintiffs’ Unopposed Motion for Preliminary Approval of Class and Collective Action Settlement

Jan. 30, 2025

Jan. 30, 2025

Order/Opinion

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69541849/hayman-v-mastercard-inc/

Last updated April 22, 2025, 3:45 p.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
1

COMPLAINT against Mastercard, Inc.. (Filing Fee $ 405.00, Receipt Number ANYSDC-30453886)Document filed by L. Kasomo, Deborah Hayman, S. Brown, G.A. Gomes..(Greene, Cara) (Entered: 01/14/2025)

Jan. 14, 2025

Jan. 14, 2025

Clearinghouse
2

CIVIL COVER SHEET filed..(Greene, Cara) (Entered: 01/14/2025)

Jan. 14, 2025

Jan. 14, 2025

RECAP
3

REQUEST FOR ISSUANCE OF SUMMONS as to Mastercard, Inc., re: 1 Complaint. Document filed by Deborah Hayman, G.A. Gomes, S. Brown, L. Kasomo..(Greene, Cara) (Entered: 01/14/2025)

Jan. 14, 2025

Jan. 14, 2025

PACER
4

MOTION for Settlement Motion for Preliminary Approval of Class and Collective Action Settlement. Document filed by Deborah Hayman, G.A. Gomes, S. Brown, L. Kasomo. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order Proposed Order).(Greene, Cara) (Entered: 01/14/2025)

1 Proposed Order Proposed Order

View on PACER

Jan. 14, 2025

Jan. 14, 2025

PACER
5

MEMORANDUM OF LAW in Support re: 4 MOTION for Settlement Motion for Preliminary Approval of Class and Collective Action Settlement. . Document filed by Deborah Hayman, G.A. Gomes, S. Brown, L. Kasomo..(Greene, Cara) (Entered: 01/14/2025)

Jan. 14, 2025

Jan. 14, 2025

RECAP
6

DECLARATION of Cara E. Greene in Support re: 4 MOTION for Settlement Motion for Preliminary Approval of Class and Collective Action Settlement.. Document filed by Deborah Hayman, G.A. Gomes, S. Brown, L. Kasomo. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A - Settlement Agreement, # 2 Exhibit B - Proposed Notice).(Greene, Cara) (Entered: 01/14/2025)

1 Exhibit A - Settlement Agreement

View on PACER

2 Exhibit B - Proposed Notice

View on PACER

Jan. 14, 2025

Jan. 14, 2025

RECAP

Notice to Attorney Regarding Case Opening Statistical Error Correction

Jan. 15, 2025

Jan. 15, 2025

PACER

Case Opening Initial Assignment Notice

Jan. 15, 2025

Jan. 15, 2025

PACER

CASE OPENING INITIAL ASSIGNMENT NOTICE: The above-entitled action is assigned to Judge Jessica G. L. Clarke. Please download and review the Individual Practices of the assigned District Judge, located at https://nysd.uscourts.gov/judges/district-judges. Attorneys are responsible for providing courtesy copies to judges where their Individual Practices require such. Please download and review the ECF Rules and Instructions, located at https://nysd.uscourts.gov/rules/ecf-related-instructions..(jgo)

Jan. 15, 2025

Jan. 15, 2025

PACER

Magistrate Judge Andrew E. Krause is designated to handle matters that may be referred in this case. Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. Section 636(c) and Fed. R. Civ. P. 73(b)(1) parties are notified that they may consent to proceed before a United States Magistrate Judge. Parties who wish to consent may access the necessary form at the following link: https://nysd.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/2018-06/AO-3.pdf. (jgo)

Jan. 15, 2025

Jan. 15, 2025

PACER

Case Designated ECF. (jgo)

Jan. 15, 2025

Jan. 15, 2025

PACER

***NOTICE TO ATTORNEY REGARDING CIVIL CASE OPENING STATISTICAL ERROR CORRECTION: Notice to attorney Cara Elizabeth Greene. The following case opening statistical information was erroneously selected/entered: Cause of Action code None; County code Westchester;. The following correction(s) have been made to your case entry: the Cause of Action code has been modified to 29:206; the County code has been modified to XX Out of State;. (jgo)

Jan. 15, 2025

Jan. 15, 2025

PACER
7

ELECTRONIC SUMMONS ISSUED as to Mastercard, Inc...(jgo) (Entered: 01/15/2025)

Jan. 15, 2025

Jan. 15, 2025

PACER
8

NOTICE OF APPEARANCE by Elizabeth M. Sacksteder on behalf of Mastercard, Inc...(Sacksteder, Elizabeth) (Entered: 01/15/2025)

Jan. 15, 2025

Jan. 15, 2025

PACER
9

NOTICE OF APPEARANCE by Johan Erik Tatoy on behalf of Mastercard, Inc...(Tatoy, Johan Erik) (Entered: 01/15/2025)

Jan. 15, 2025

Jan. 15, 2025

PACER
10

NOTICE OF APPEARANCE by Jeffrey S. Klein on behalf of Mastercard, Inc...(Klein, Jeffrey) (Entered: 01/15/2025)

Jan. 15, 2025

Jan. 15, 2025

PACER
11

RULE 7.1 CORPORATE DISCLOSURE STATEMENT. No Corporate Parent. Document filed by Mastercard, Inc...(Sacksteder, Elizabeth) (Entered: 01/15/2025)

Jan. 15, 2025

Jan. 15, 2025

PACER
12

NOTICE OF APPEARANCE by Adam T Klein on behalf of Deborah Hayman, G.A. Gomes, S. Brown, L. Kasomo..(Klein, Adam) (Entered: 01/22/2025)

Jan. 22, 2025

Jan. 22, 2025

PACER
13

NOTICE OF APPEARANCE by Shira Zahava Gelfand on behalf of Deborah Hayman, G.A. Gomes, S. Brown, L. Kasomo..(Gelfand, Shira) (Entered: 01/22/2025)

Jan. 22, 2025

Jan. 22, 2025

PACER
14

NOTICE OF APPEARANCE by Chauniqua Danielle Young on behalf of Deborah Hayman, G.A. Gomes, S. Brown, L. Kasomo..(Young, Chauniqua) (Entered: 01/22/2025)

Jan. 22, 2025

Jan. 22, 2025

PACER
15

ORDER GRANTING PLAINTIFFS' UNOPPOSED MOTION FOR PRELIMINARY APPROVAL OF CLASS AND COLLECTIVE ACTION SETTLEMENT granting 4 Motion for Settlement. it is HEREBY ORDERED, ADJUDGED and DECREED as follows: Plaintiffs Deborah Hayman, G.A. Gomes, L. Kasomo, and S. Brown ("Plaintiffs"), on behalf of themselves and all others similarly situated, and Defendant Mastercard, Inc. (collectively, the "Settling Parties") have negotiated a settlement of this action (the "Action") to avoid the uncertainty, expense, and burden of further litigation, and to resolve any and all claims being released by the Settlement Stipulation. The Settlement Stipulation entered into by and among the Settling Parties has been negotiated at arm's length and is approved on a preliminary basis as fair, reasonable, and adequate. A hearing regarding final approval of the Settlement Stipulation ("Final Approval Hearing") will be held on May 14, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. in Courtroom 11B of the Daniel Patrick Moynihan Courthouse at 500 Pearl Street, New York, New York, before the Honorable Jessica G. L. Clarke. The Court authorizes the Parties to take all necessary and appropriate steps to implement the Settlement Stipulation. (And as further set forth herein.) SO ORDERED.. (Signed by Judge Jessica G. L. Clarke on 1/30/2025) (jca) (Entered: 01/30/2025)

Jan. 30, 2025

Jan. 30, 2025

Clearinghouse

Set/Reset Hearings: Status Conference set for 5/14/2025 at 11:00 AM in Courtroom 11B, 500 Pearl Street, New York, NY 10007 before Judge Jessica G. L. Clarke. (jca)

Jan. 30, 2025

Jan. 30, 2025

PACER
16

NOTICE OF CHANGE OF ADDRESS by Jeffrey S. Klein on behalf of Mastercard, Inc.. New Address: Clarick Gueron Reisbaum LLP, 41 Madison Avenue, 23rd Floor, New York, NY, USA 10010, 212-633-4310..(Klein, Jeffrey) (Entered: 02/03/2025)

Feb. 3, 2025

Feb. 3, 2025

PACER
17

Letter

April 15, 2025

April 15, 2025

PACER
18

Memo Endorsement AND ~Util - Set Hearings

April 17, 2025

April 17, 2025

PACER

Case Details

State / Territory: New York

Case Type(s):

Equal Employment

Special Collection(s):

Private Employment Class Actions

Key Dates

Filing Date: Jan. 14, 2025

Case Ongoing: Yes

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

All female, Black, and/or Hispanic employees currently or formerly employed by Mastercard in career levels 4–10 in the United States.

Plaintiff Type(s):

Private Plaintiff

Public Interest Lawyer: No

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: Yes

Class Action Outcome: Granted

Defendants

Mastercard, Inc., Private Entity/Person

Defendant Type(s):

Bank or credit provider

Case Details

Causes of Action:

Civil Rights Act of 1957/1960, 52 U.S.C. § 10101 (previously 42 U.S.C. § 1971)

Equal Pay Act, 29 U.S.C. § 206(d)

State Anti-Discrimination Law

Available Documents:

Trial Court Docket

Complaint (any)

Monetary Relief

Injunctive (or Injunctive-like) Relief

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Plaintiff

Nature of Relief:

Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement

Attorneys fees

Damages

Source of Relief:

Settlement

Form of Settlement:

Court Approved Settlement or Consent Decree

Content of Injunction:

Other requirements regarding hiring, promotion, retention

Auditing

Amount Defendant Pays: $26,000,000

Issues

General/Misc.:

Classification / placement

Pattern or Practice

Discrimination Area:

Disparate Treatment

Pay / Benefits

Seniority

Discrimination Basis:

Gender identity

Race discrimination

Affected National Origin/Ethnicity(s):

Hispanic

Affected Race(s):

Black

Affected Sex/Gender(s):

Female