Quintairos Prieto Can’t Arbitrate Ex-Firm Lawyer’s FMLA Claims

A large minority-owned law firm lost its bid to arbitrate wrongful termination and other claims from a former office managing partner.

Quintairos, Prieto, Wood & Boyer’s employee policy manual, which says controversies between the firm and its employees will be arbitrated, is an “expression of company policy and procedures” but it’s “not a binding contract,” said Judge Sarah S. Vance of the US District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana, denying the firm’s motion to compel arbitration and stay the case.

“There is no valid agreement to arbitrate,” the judge said.

Pamela Carter, hired to be managing partner of ...