FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 23, 2019
New Mexico Counties and Roosevelt County WinAppeals’ Court Victory
SANTA FE, NM – Roosevelt County prevailed on an appeal filed in the New Mexico Court of Appeals on an employment case. The original lawsuit was filed by Eric Dixon, Esq. on behalf of Keith Parrish and had been ongoing since August of 2015.
New Mexico Counties Legal Bureau Counsel Mark Drebbing defended Roosevelt County in the lawsuit in which Mr. Parrish alleged that the county violated the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Mr. Parrish worked as a corrections officer with the Roosevelt County Detention Center and was promoted to Lieutenant during his last two years of employment. Previously, Federal Court Judge Browning granted Roosevelt County’s Motion for Summary Judgment finding that Mr. Parrish was an exempt salaried supervisor and that he was not eligible for overtime pay under the FLSA. NMC Legal Bureau Counsel Drebbing also obtained summary judgment on the breach of contract claim filed by Mr. Parrish in state court.
The New Mexico Counties is a non-profit, nonpartisan association representing New Mexico’s 33 counties since 1936. Its mission is to strengthen New Mexico counties’ ability to govern their own affairs and to improve the well-being and quality of life of their constituents. NM Counties provides numerous services to counties including legislative advocacy, self-insurance administration, legal assistance, and professional development. For more information, please visit www.nmcounties.org.
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