Mary-Kate and Ashley’s intern lawsuit brought by a group of dissatisfied interns who used to formerly work at their New York label, The Row has finally been settled.
The designer duo have reportedly paid $140,000 to a group of 185 interns, Page Six claims, this amounts to just over $500 per intern after accounted lawyer fees.
The twins’ company, Dualstar, denied any claims of mistreatment when the story initially came out in August 2015, asserting: “The allegations in the complaint filed against Dualstar are groundless, and Dualstar will vigorously defend itself against plaintiff’s claims in court, not before the media. Dualstar is confident that once the true facts of this case are revealed, the lawsuit will be dismissed in its entirety.”
Shahista Lalani, the designer intern who initially brought the class-action lawsuit claimed that she worked for up to 50 hours a week for many months without pay, she also complained that conditions and breaks were also inadequate.
“It was like 100 degrees outside. I’d just be sweating to death. I probably carried like 50 pounds worth of trench coats” Lalani who worked at The Row for five months in 2012, told The Post when she brought the case.
The company brought its own rebuttal lawsuit in September 2015.
The settlement however, brings the matter to a close, but does not require the company to concede wrongdoing. A legal statement for the Olsens’ brand said the settlement was reached in order to “avoid the uncertainties of litigation,” according to a recent Manhattan Supreme Court filing by their attorney.
The settlement deal was the result of “protracted, arm’s-length negotiations between the parties and their experienced counsel,” plaintiffs’ attorney LaDonna Lusher says in court papers.
“The parties have reached a proposed settlement which plaintiffs believe represents a significant recovery given the potential damages and substantial risks if the case proceeds to trial.” The settlement covers interns who worked at the company since 2009.
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