An El Paso, Texas, law firm and its managing partners are facing a lawsuit alleging that they failed to pay overtime wages to a paralegal who regularly worked more than 40 hours per week. The complaint, filed Tuesday in federal court, accuses Firth Bunn Kerr Neill PC and its managing partners, Edward Devere Bunn Jr. and Alexander V. Neill, of violating the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
Allegations of Unpaid Overtime
Jessica Rodriguez, a former paralegal at the firm, claims she was required to work beyond her scheduled hours, responding to emails, texts, and calls from clients at all hours of the day, seven days a week. Despite her nonexempt status under the FLSA, Rodriguez alleges she was not compensated for overtime, even though her workweek frequently exceeded 40 hours.
Rodriguez states that she was hired in June 2021 at a salary of $35,000 per year. She left the firm in December 2022 but returned in September 2023, earning approximately $37,000 per year by mid-2024. She no longer works for the firm.
Failure to Maintain Accurate Records
The lawsuit also alleges that Firth Bunn failed to maintain and preserve accurate records of Rodriguez’s working hours, a violation of federal labor laws.