Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-ared-3_18-cv-00208/USCOURTS-ared-3_18-cv-00208-2/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 710
Nature of Suit: Fair Labor Standards Act
Cause of Action: 29:201 Denial of Overtime Compensation

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 

EASTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS 

NORTHERN DIVISION 

PEDRO PALMA, Individually 

and on Behalf of all Others 

Similarly Situated 

v. No. 3:18-cv-208-DPM 

PLAINTIFF 

WEST MEMPHIS FENCE & 

CONSTRUCTION, INC. DEFENDANT 

ORDER 

Palma' s opposed motion to voluntarily dismiss his case without 

prejudice, NQ 39, is granted. His lawyers say that Palma is "unwilling" 

or "unable" or both to pursue the case. NQ 39 at 1. No counterclaim 

exists. West Memphis Fence laments the lack of specifics, says it has 

incurred attorney's fees during the year or so the case has been 

pending, and seeks a with-prejudice dismissal or forced cooperation 

from Palma: complete discovery to set up a merits disposition. This 

last possibility is unrealistic in the circumstances. A client's 

uncooperativeness puts counsel in a bind, which is what the Court sees 

here. No more details are necessary. While we have all done some 

work on the premature motion for conditional certification and the 

discovery disputes, if Palma refiles, West Memphis Fence will have a 

running start. No sunk Rule 54( d) costs are requested. Plus, while the 

nonsuit will save Palma' s full state claim, any refiled federal claim will 

Case 3:18-cv-00208-DPM Document 41 Filed 02/19/20 Page 1 of 2
be limited by FLSA' s statute of limitations. ARK. CODE ANN. 

§ 16-56-126(a)(l); 29 U.S.C. § 255(a). All material things considered, 

Paulucci v. City of Duluth, 826 F.2d 780, 783 (8th Cir. 1987), dismissal 

without prejudice is warranted. 

So Ordered. 

~y{_ Afl t-· 

D.P. Marshall Jr. 

United States District Judge 

11 ~i.a1.v ;w~o 

7 

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Case 3:18-cv-00208-DPM Document 41 Filed 02/19/20 Page 2 of 2