Who is a Class Member
You are a member of the Trump National Jupiter Golf Club & Spa Membership Deposit Class Action Settlement if you:
- “purchased a Full Golf, Fractional Golf or Social or Spa membership to The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club & Spa – Jupiter
- paid a refundable Membership Deposit
- were placed on the club resignation list prior to December 4, 2012
- have not received a refund of any portion of their Membership Deposit; and
- have not executed the Legacy Addendum”
If you don’t qualify for this settlement, check out our database of other class action settlements you may be eligible for.
Settlement Amount
- $5,446,278.72
Estimated Award
- Varies
Class Members will receive a cash settlement benefit equal to 71% of their respective refund amount. For example, if a Class member paid a refundable membership deposit of $40,000, they can expect to receive a cash payout of $28,400.
Proof of Purchase
- Claimants will need to provide the unit number of your Equity apartment and the beginning and ending date of your tenancy there.
Claim Form
- N/A
Ritz Carlton, Trump National Jupiter Golf Club & Spa Membership Deposit Settlement Notes
- Norman Hirsch, et al., v. Jupiter Golf Club LLC, et al.
- Case No. 13-80456-CIV-KAM
- Pending in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida
This class action lawsuit stems from allegations that former members of Trump National Golf Club in Jupiter, Florida were wrongfully denied refunds of their golf and spa membership deposits they had signed with the previous owner Ritz Carlton.
Litigation went on for over four years and in August 2016, plaintiffs Norman Hirsch, Matt Dwyer, and Ralph Willard tried this case in a bench trial and judgement was entered in favor of the plaintiffs in February 2017. Per the judgement, Trump National Jupiter was ordered to pay $5.78 million, representing 100% f the refundable deposits paid by Class members to Ritz Carlton.
However, the defendants appealed the judgement and in order to avoid the uncertainty of having the judgement reverse, the plaintiffs agreed to settle the case for approximately 71% of their respective refund. For example, if a Class member paid a refundable membership deposit of $40,000, they can expect to receive a cash payout of $28,400.
Note: This case occurred before President Trump’s election and Trump was not named as a defendant in the lawsuit. Trump took over the former Ritz-Carlton golf club in Jupiter in 2012.
Complete details about the case and settlement are provided on the Trump National Jupiter Membership Deposit settlement website.
Class members who wish to object to the Trump National Jupiter Golf Club & Spa Membership Deposit settlement must do so by April 4, 2018. Class members who wish to participate in the settlement do not need to do anything.
Important Dates
- 4/3/18: Objection Deadline
- 4/20/18: Final Hearing at 9:00 am ET* (class members do not need to attend this hearing in order to receive a slice of the settlement pie).
*Settlement Class Members who wish to speak at the hearing should check www.MembershipDepositLawsuit.com to confirm that the date or time of the Hearing has not been changed.
Contact Information
- Mail: Offices of Class Counsel, Bradley J. Edwards and Seth M. Lehrman, Edwards Pottinger LLC, 425 N. Andrews Ave., Suite 2, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33301
- Phone: 1-800-400-1098 (Class Counsel)
Class Counsel
- Bradley J. Edwards and Seth M. Lehrman of Edwards Pottinger LLC
Settlement Website