Author: foresterhaynie

The attorneys at Forester Haynie have subscribed to one consistent message throughout the firm’s existence: work shouldn’t suck. To us, this means a lot more than those three little words might suggest. It means employees’ rights should be protected and their interests should be considered. It means employers should treat their employees with respect and integrity every day. And it means everyone in the office should be appreciated for their hard work.

As a firm that helps members of our community when employers violate the law in their employment practices, we are painfully aware that not every employer shares our firm’s values. What did surprise us, however, was how common it is for law firms in particular to underpay their clerks and interns- or not pay them at all. Unlike other entry-level positions, law firms typically hire law students for these positions, meaning they are hiring individuals with Bachelor’s degrees and career experience at pay rates that simply are not competitive with other markets. According to PayScale, the average hourly rate for legal interns is just $15, meaning many interns make less and could be living in areas with high standards of living. This is, of course, assuming interns are being paid at all.

Unpaid internships are common at many firms, and particularly so in the public interest area, where it has become the norm for those seeking public interest positions to work for free. Over the years, it has remained a consistent practice for many law firms to not pay their legal interns. Partially to blame are the lax regulations and inconsistent case law. The Department of Labor uses a multi-factor test to determine whether interns are employees under the FLSA, thereby entitling them to being paid the minimum wage. This test turns on the unique circumstances of each case, though, making uniformity difficult.

Undeniably, the prevalence of unpaid internships has a deterrence effect, where law students from under-privileged backgrounds or with considerable student loan debt will feel it the hardest. If students cannot afford to take unpaid positions, they may leave the practice of law altogether or feel forced to pursue higher-paying areas of law when other areas are in need of passionate attorneys.

From Day 1, Forester Haynie has understood the value its law clerks, interns, and paralegals bring to the firm. In many ways, our interns are the backbone of our organization, working behind the scenes to better the community and seek justice. Paying our interns, and providing them with the skills and insight they will need when pursuing their own careers, is just one way we show our appreciation for these critical members of our firm. We strive every day to help those in our community who have suffered at the hand of their employers, so we understand that ensuring work doesn’t suck means starting with us.

We’ve done it once again!

In this past week, Jay Forester closed two cases in two separate states in a successful attempt to recover lost wages for pizza delivery drivers. Jay is no stranger to the complexities of federal law when it comes to underpaid wages, overtime pay, and the Fair Labor Standards Act.

State lines may cause other law firms to turn down cases, but we’ve successfully handled cases in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Tennessee, Wisconsin, and many others.

Based out of Dallas, Texas, it is not only exciting to secure lost earnings for our clients in other states, but also allows us to assist many more clients who may or may not be within the boundaries of our state

• Are you working overtime and not having it properly documented or appear on your paycheck?
• Are you “misclassified” as a worker? i.e. Not paid a proper wages because you are considered an independent contractor or paid only on a salaried basis?
• Are you forced to clock out when “labor is too high” but still expected to run deliveries, wash dishes, or do prep work until it’s finished or you clock back in to close out the night?

These could all be considered major violations of employment law and you could be entitled to back wages and statutory penalties just like the delivery drivers we’ve helped out most recently in New Mexico and Arkansas.

Whether it be in Dallas, New Mexico, Arkansas, or your state, do not let employers continue to underpay you. Contact us and let’s discuss your options for recovering lost wages that are rightfully yours.

We’re in this Together!

January 25, 2019, Forester Haynie certified a class action lawsuit in Kentucky against Papa Johns franchise Willis & Brock Foods, Inc. for failing to pay its delivery drivers the federal minimum wage as required by the Fair Labor Standards Act.

Class actions allow individuals to collectively bring similar claims against the same defendant and give access to the courts to those who may not have the resources on their own to bring a cause of action.

One way many employers across the U.S. have sought to limit employees’ ability to form class actions against them is to require their employees to sign arbitration agreements as a condition of employment. Arbitration agreements are provisions that require employees submit any and all grievances against their employer to private arbitration as opposed to bringing a claim to court.

In Kentucky, however, the Kentucky Supreme Court has held employers cannot force employees to sign arbitration agreements, so the law in Kentucky is particularly friendly to employees seeking the courts and to form class actions.

Forester Haynie is dedicated to ensuring employers across the nation are paying their employees the legal minimum wage. If you have been a delivery driver in the last three years at one of the many Kentucky franchises owned by Papa Johns and want to join this class action, call our office toll-free at 214-210-2100 or email us at info@foresterhaynie.com.