The court found in favor of our client in this labor litigation concerning employee classification.
The plaintiffs alleged that two classes of individuals who had attended commercial trucking company New Prime’s Student Driver Program or its training program for newer drivers with a commercial driver’s license (CDL) were not paid minimum wage while in training. The defendant retained Cornerstone Research to support Christopher Stanton of Harvard Business School to analyze data reflecting the defendant’s training activities.
Finding in favor of New Prime, the court cited Professor Stanton’s analyses in its opinion, stating “the Court is persuaded by the testimony of Defendant’s expert Dr. Christopher Stanton.”
The case was bifurcated, with claims from individuals in New Prime’s Student Driver Program handled separately from those who already had their CDL. The part of the case tied to trainees with a CDL settled, while the issues pertaining to individuals in New Prime’s Student Driver Program went to trial. Professor Stanton testified at trial regarding issues relevant for classifying an individual as a trainee or as an employee. Specifically, Professor Stanton testified that New Prime’s Student Driver Program participants were less productive, less utilized, and could not directly displace experienced drivers. He further testified that New Prime’s Student Driver Program is a costly investment, with no immediate benefit to New Prime, but provides substantial benefits to participants.
In December 2024, the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri, Southern Division, found in favor of New Prime. The court cited Professor Stanton’s analyses in its opinion, stating “the Court is persuaded by the testimony of Defendant’s expert Dr. Christopher Stanton.”