In September of this year, Katharine and George Alexander Community Law Center students Jacquetta Lannan (’06) and Patrick Stokes (’07) successfully settled a wage and hour claim for $15,000.
The Law Center’s representation of Mr. O. began in February 2005, when he attended the Workers’ Rights clinic seeking help. He explained that he was employed by a construction company as a laborer and assistant to the manager. The employer paid him a salary for his forty hour work week, but did not pay him for hours he worked on Saturdays.
The employer, a California corporation, appeared with counsel at the hearing before the Labor Commission. Student Ian Silvers (’06) represented Mr. ). and obtained an award of overtime, interest and penalties. The employer appealed the Commissions’ decision to the Superior Court. Jacquetta and Patrick prepared the case for trial with the assistance of their supervising attorney and volunteer attorneys from the local bar. On the morning of the trial and with the assistance of the judge, the employer agreed to pay Mr. O. $15,000, which represented all of his unpaid overtime wages.
