Judge dismisses federal claims in lawsuit against Bailey & Oliver Law Firm, case remanded back to state court

A lawsuit filed by a former employee against Bailey & Oliver Law Firm of Rogers has been remanded back to state court.

District Judge Tim Brooks ordered the lawsuit be remanded back to Benton County Circuit Court on June 22.

The complaint was originally filed Jan. 10 in Benton County Circuit Court, but removed in February to U.S. District Court for the Western District of Arkansas in Fayetteville.

Among her claims, Hannah Newell alleged the law firm paid male attorneys at a higher rate during her employment, a violation of the Equal Pay Act (EPA). The firm and Sach Oliver, who owns the law office along with Frank Bailey, are the two named defendants.

Newell began working at Bailey & Oliver as a paralegal in July 2013, according to the filing. She is licensed and educated in England, but does not yet hold an Arkansas attorney’s license. She resigned June 29, 2016.

Brooks dismissed Newell’s claims of wage and gender discrimination, but did, however, conclude there are sufficient facts alleged to support Newell’s claims of fraud and other violations of state law.

The case will proceed to trial in Judge Doug Schrantz’ court.