What is objector?
An objector is a class member who formally tells the court, in writing and by the deadline in the settlement notice, that they oppose some or all of a proposed settlement — commonly over the amount of relief, the attorneys' fee request, or a release that is broader than the claims at issue. Objections are considered at the fairness hearing before the judge decides whether to grant final approval.
Filing an objection is different from opting out: an objector stays in the class and can still receive a settlement payment while asking the court to change or reject the deal, whereas opting out removes a person from the class entirely. Some objectors are individual class members raising a genuine concern, while others are professional objectors whose real goal is a side payment to withdraw the objection — a practice federal rules changes in 2018 made harder by requiring court approval before an objector can be paid to drop an appeal.
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Last reviewed 2026-08-22.