Case: Morgan v. Sundance, Inc.

4:18-cv-00316 | U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa

Filed Date: Sept. 25, 2018

Clearinghouse coding in progress

Case Summary

(This summary is temporary while we research the case.) This case concerns an effort to force employees into mandatory arbitration. Named plaintiff, an employee at a Taco Bell, filed suit against the franchise owner in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa on behalf of herself and similarly situated employees, alleging that the franchise owner conducted wage theft. After the suit proceeded in federal court for several months, the franchise owner sought to force named plaintiff to arbitrate her claim individually, invoking a mandatory arbitration clause. 

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/13541549/parties/morgan-v-sundance-inc/


Judge(s)

Ebinger, Rebecca Goodgame (Iowa)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Ash, Charles R. (Iowa)

Fiedler, Paige Ellen (Iowa)

Attorney for Defendant

Driscoll, Kevin J. (Iowa)

Fanning, Scott C. (Iowa)

Documents in the Clearinghouse

No documents yet available via the Clearinghouse.

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/13541549/morgan-v-sundance-inc/

Last updated April 14, 2026, 5:10 a.m.

ECF Number Date Description Link
1 Sept. 25, 2018

COMPLAINT and Jury Demand against Sundance, Inc.,Filing fee paid in the amount of $400, receipt number 0863-3605766 filed by Robyn Morgan. Notice of Dismissal for lack of Service deadline set for 12/24/2018. Rule 16 Notice of Dismissal set for 12/24/2018.(Fiedler, Paige) Modified on 9/25/2018, added payment information (kjw). (Entered: 09/25/2018)

RECAP
2 Sept. 28, 2018

SUMMONS Returned Executed by Robyn Morgan. Sundance, Inc. served on 9/27/2018, answer due 10/18/2018. (Fiedler, Paige) (Entered: 09/28/2018)

RECAP
3 Oct. 18, 2018

Unresisted MOTION for Extension of Time to File Answer re 1 Complaint, or Otherwise Plead to Plaintiff's Complaint by Sundance, Inc..Motions referred to Helen C. Adams. (Driscoll, Kevin) (Entered: 10/18/2018)

RECAP
4 Oct. 18, 2018

TEXT ORDER: ORDER granting 3 defendant Sundance, Inc.'s unopposed motion for an extension of time to answer or otherwise plead to plaintiff's complaint. Defendant shall have until 11/8/2018 to move or plead in response to the complaint. Signed by Chief Magistrate Judge Helen C. Adams on 10/18/2018.(kln) (Entered: 10/18/2018)

RECAP
5 Oct. 29, 2018

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Receipt Number: 0863-3635753 Fee paid in the amount of $100. by Sundance, Inc.. (Rice, Joel) (Entered: 10/29/2018)

RECAP
6 Oct. 29, 2018

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Receipt Number: 0863-3635759 Fee paid in the amount of $100. by Sundance, Inc.. (Fanning, Scott) (Entered: 10/29/2018)

RECAP
7 Oct. 30, 2018

TEXT ORDER granting 5 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Joel W. Rice; granting 6 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Scott C. Fanning. Signed by Chief Magistrate Judge Helen C. Adams on 10/30/2018. (kjw) (Entered: 10/30/2018)

RECAP
8 Nov. 8, 2018

Corporate Disclosure/Statement of Interest by Sundance, Inc.. (Rice, Joel) (Entered: 11/08/2018)

RECAP
9 Nov. 8, 2018

MOTION to Dismiss or, Alternatively Stay by Sundance, Inc.. Responses due by 11/23/2018. (Attachments: # 1 Memorandum in Support, # 2 Exhibit A - Complaint, # 3 Exhibit B - Flanagan Amended Complaint, # 4 Exhibit C - Stipulated Order, # 5 Appendix Unpublished Case Law)(Rice, Joel) (Entered: 11/08/2018)

RECAP
10 Nov. 21, 2018

RESPONSE to Motion re 9 MOTION to Dismiss or, Alternatively Stay filed by Robyn Morgan. Replies due by 11/28/2018. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit)(Fiedler, Paige) (Entered: 11/21/2018)

RECAP
11 Nov. 28, 2018

REPLY re 9 MOTION to Dismiss or, Alternatively Stay filed by Sundance, Inc.. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A - Declaration of Joel W. Rice, # 2 Exhibit B - Email of 08.03.18, # 3 Exhibit C - Plaintiff's Brief in Wood et al v. Sundance case, # 4 Appendix Unpublished Case Law)(Rice, Joel) (Entered: 11/28/2018)

RECAP
12 Nov. 30, 2018

NOTICE of Appearance by Madison Elizabeth Fiedler-Carlson on behalf of Robyn Morgan (Fiedler-Carlson, Madison) (Entered: 11/30/2018)

RECAP
13 Dec. 5, 2018

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Receipt Number: 0863-3668163 Fee paid in the amount of $100. by Robyn Morgan. (Thompson, Jason) (Entered: 12/05/2018)

RECAP
14 Dec. 5, 2018

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Receipt Number: 0863-3668170 Fee paid in the amount of $100. by Robyn Morgan. (Ash, Charles) (Entered: 12/05/2018)

RECAP
15 Dec. 6, 2018

TEXT ORDER granting 13 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Jason J. Thompson; granting 14 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Charles R. Ash, IV. Signed by Chief Magistrate Judge Helen C. Adams on 12/6/2018. (kjw) (Entered: 12/06/2018)

RECAP
16 March 5, 2019

ORDER denying 9 Motion to Dismiss or Stay. Signed by Chief Judge John A. Jarvey on 3/5/2019. (ggp) (Entered: 03/05/2019)

RECAP
17 March 19, 2019

ANSWER to Complaint and Notice of Affirmative Defenses by Sundance, Inc..(Rice, Joel) (Entered: 03/19/2019)

RECAP
18 March 20, 2019

TEXT ORDER SETTING SCHEDULING CONFERENCE. A Scheduling Conference shall be held on 4/12/2019 at 10:30 AM before Chief Magistrate Judge Helen C. Adams in Room 420 at the Des Moines Courthouse. Counsel outside of Des Moines may attend telephonically. If they choose to do so, counsel should call 1-877-336-1829 and enter access code 1176783 at the prompt to be joined with the call. The parties shall file a proposed scheduling order and discovery plan as provided under L.R. 16 by 4/8/2019. Signed by Chief Magistrate Judge Helen C. Adams on 3/20/2019. (imk) (Entered: 03/20/2019)

RECAP
March 20, 2019

~Util - Set Deadlines/Hearings

March 20, 2019

Order

19 March 25, 2019

TEXT ORDER CONTINUING SCHEDULING CONFERENCE. Due to an impending settlement conference, the scheduling conference set for 4/12/2019 at 10:30 AM is continued to 5/1/2019 at 10:00 AM. All previous conditions regarding appearance remain unchanged.The parties shall file a proposed scheduling order and discovery plan as provided under L.R. 16 by 4/26/2019. Signed by Chief Magistrate Judge Helen C. Adams on 3/25/2019. (imk) (Entered: 03/25/2019)

RECAP
March 25, 2019

Order

20 April 26, 2019

TEXT ORDER CONTINUING SCHEDULING CONFERENCE. As discussed with counsel via email, the Scheduling Conference originally set for 5/1/2019 at 10:00 AM is continued to 5/8/2019 at 10:00 AM. The parties shall file a proposed scheduling order and discovery plan as provided under L.R. 16 by 5/3/2019. All previous conditions regarding personal or telephonic appearance remain unchanged. Signed by Chief Magistrate Judge Helen C. Adams on 4/26/2019. (imk) (Entered: 04/26/2019)

RECAP
April 26, 2019

Order

21 May 3, 2019

MOTION to Compel Individual Arbitration and Dismiss Plaintiff's Complaint by Sundance, Inc..Motions referred to Helen C. Adams. Responses due by 5/17/2019. (Attachments: # 1 Memorandum in Support Memorandum in Support of Motion to Compel Arbitration and Dismiss, # 2 Exhibit A - Application, # 3 Exhibit B - Declaration of Kenneth Petty, # 4 Exhibit C - Complaint)(Rice, Joel) (Entered: 05/03/2019)

RECAP
22 May 3, 2019

TEXT ORDER CONTINUING SCHEDULING CONFERENCE. Due to the recently filed Motion at Docket No. 21, the Scheduling Conference originally set for 5/8/2019 is continued to 7/8/2019 at 10:00 AM. The parties shall file a proposed scheduling order and discovery plan as provided under L.R. 16 by 7/4/2019. All previous conditions regarding personal or telephonic appearance remain unchanged. Signed by Chief Magistrate Judge Helen C. Adams on 5/3/2019. (imk) (Entered: 05/03/2019)

RECAP
May 3, 2019

~Util - Set Hearings

May 3, 2019

Order

23 May 17, 2019

NOTICE of Consent(s) by Robyn Morgan (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit Consents)(Ash, Charles) (Entered: 05/17/2019)

RECAP
24 May 17, 2019

RESPONSE to Motion re 21 MOTION to Compel Individual Arbitration and Dismiss Plaintiff's Complaint filed by Robyn Morgan. Replies due by 5/24/2019. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A - Expert Retainer Agreement, # 2 Exhibit B - April 22, 2019 Email)(Ash, Charles) (Entered: 05/17/2019)

RECAP
25 May 24, 2019

MOTION to file overlength brief for Defendant's Reply In Further Support of its Motion to Compel Arbitration by Sundance, Inc..Motions referred to Helen C. Adams. Responses due by 6/7/2019. (Attachments: # 1 Brief in Support Defendant's Reply Brief In Further Support of Motion to Compel Arbitration)(Rice, Joel) (Entered: 05/24/2019)

RECAP
26 May 28, 2019

TEXT ORDER granting 25 Motion to file overlength brief. Defendant may file its overlength reply brief. Signed by Chief Magistrate Judge Helen C. Adams on 5/28/2019. (imk) (Entered: 05/28/2019)

RECAP
27 May 28, 2019

REPLY re 21 MOTION to Compel Individual Arbitration and Dismiss Plaintiff's Complaint filed by Sundance, Inc..(Rice, Joel) (Entered: 05/28/2019)

RECAP
May 28, 2019

File Overlength Brief

28 June 28, 2019

ORDER denying 21 Motion to Compel Individual Arbitration And Dismiss Plaintiff's Complaint. Signed by Chief Judge John A. Jarvey on 6/28/2019. (mem) (Entered: 06/28/2019)

RECAP
29 July 4, 2019

PROPOSED SCHEDULING ORDER AND DISCOVERY PLAN . (Ash, Charles) (Entered: 07/04/2019)

RECAP
30 July 8, 2019

NOTICE OF APPEAL as to 28 Order on Motion to Compel by Sundance, Inc.. Fee paid in the amount of $505 receipt number 0863-3860746. (Rice, Joel) (Entered: 07/08/2019)

RECAP
31 July 8, 2019

NOTIFICATION OF APPEAL and NOA Supplement by District Court Clerk to USCA re 30 Notice of Appeal filed on 7/8/2019. (vr) (Entered: 07/08/2019)

RECAP
32 July 8, 2019

TEXT MINUTE ENTRY for proceedings held before Chief Magistrate Judge Helen C. Adams: Scheduling Conference held on 7/8/2019. Attorneys Madison Fiedler-Carlson and Charles Ash appeared for plaintiff. Attorney Joel W. Rice appeared for defendant. Status of case discussed. Separate order to follow. Total Court Time: 6 minutes. (imk) (Entered: 07/08/2019)

RECAP
33 July 8, 2019

TEXT ORDER finding as moot 29 PROPOSED SCHEDULING ORDER AND DISCOVERY PLAN. Due to Defendant's Notice of Appeal 30, the proposed scheduling order and discovery plan is moot. The Court will revisit deadlines after Defendant's appeal has been resolved. Signed by Chief Magistrate Judge Helen C. Adams on 7/8/2019. (imk) (Entered: 07/08/2019)

RECAP
July 8, 2019

Proposed Scheduling Order and Discovery Plan

July 8, 2019

Scheduling Conference

34 July 9, 2019

USCA Case Number 19-2435 for 30 Notice of Appeal filed by Sundance, Inc. (vr) (Entered: 07/09/2019)

RECAP
35 July 9, 2019

USCA Scheduling Order as to 30 Notice of Appeal filed by Sundance, Inc. (vr) (Entered: 07/09/2019)

RECAP
36 Sept. 10, 2019

NOTICE by Robyn Morgan - Second Notice of Filing Consent to Join Collective Action (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit Consent to Join)(Ash, Charles) (Entered: 09/10/2019)

RECAP
37 April 5, 2021

*VACATED and REMANDED per entry 42* OPINION/JUDGMENT of USCA advising the judgment of the district court is reversed and remanded as to 30 Notice of Appeal filed by Sundance, Inc. Mandate to issue in 14 days. (Attachments: # 1 Opinion, # 2 Judgment) (vr) Modified on 6/28/2022 (vr). (Entered: 04/05/2021)

RECAP
38 April 26, 2021

*RECALLED per entry 43* MANDATE of USCA as to 30 Notice of Appeal filed by Sundance. (vr) Modified on 6/28/2022 (vr). (Entered: 04/26/2021)

RECAP
39 April 26, 2021

ORDER. Defendant's 21 Motion To Compel Individual Arbitration And Dismiss Plaintiff's Complaint is granted to the extent that the parties are ordered to arbitrate the plaintiff's individual claims, and this action is stayed pending completion of arbitration. Signed by Chief Judge John A. Jarvey on 4/26/2021. (mem) (Entered: 04/26/2021)

RECAP
40 Sept. 7, 2021

Notice of Supreme Court Filing advising certiorari has been filed. (Attachments: # 1 Cover Letter)(vr) (Entered: 09/07/2021)

RECAP
41 Nov. 30, 2021

Notice of Supreme Court Filing advising an order has been filed granting certiorari. (vr) (Entered: 11/30/2021)

RECAP
Feb. 17, 2022

Judge Rebecca Goodgame Ebinger added. Judge John A. Jarvey no longer assigned to case. (kjw)

Feb. 17, 2022

Add and Terminate Judges

42 June 28, 2022

SUPREME COURT JUDGMENT with Cover Letter/MANDATE FILED 05/23/2022 in Supreme Court Case 21-328 Supreme Court Ruling: Vacated and Remanded of USCA as to 30 Notice of Appeal filed by Sundance, Inc. Mandate recalled and case to reopen. (vr) (Entered: 06/28/2022)

RECAP
43 June 28, 2022

ORDER of USCA advising pursuant to the order of the U.S. Supreme Court, dated May 23, 2022, and the U.S. Supreme Court's mandate of June 24, 2022, this court's judgement, dated March 30, 2021, is vacated, the mandate is hereby recalled, and the case is reopened as to 30 Notice of Appeal filed by Sundance, Inc. (vr) (Entered: 06/28/2022)

RECAP
July 26, 2022

Judge Stephen H. Locher added. Judge Rebecca Goodgame Ebinger no longer assigned to case. (kjw)

July 26, 2022

Add and Terminate Judges

44 Aug. 15, 2022

ORDER of USCA as to 30 Notice of Appeal filed by Sundance, Inc. (vr) (Entered: 08/15/2022)

RECAP
45 Oct. 11, 2022

Motion for Settlement/Settlement Conference

RECAP
46 Nov. 14, 2022

Order

RECAP
47 Nov. 18, 2022

SUPPLEMENT/ADDENDUM

RECAP
48 Dec. 15, 2022

Order on Motion for Settlement/Settlement Conference

RECAP
49 Dec. 15, 2022

Sealed Document

RECAP
50 Jan. 3, 2023

USCA Order

RECAP
51 Jan. 12, 2023

USCA Order

RECAP
52 Jan. 18, 2023

USCA Opinion/Judgment

RECAP
53 Jan. 18, 2023

USCA Mandate

RECAP
54 Jan. 17, 2024

Stipulation

RECAP
Jan. 17, 2024

Terminate Civil Case

Jan. 17, 2024

Terminated Case

Case Details

State / Territory:

Iowa

Case Type(s):

Labor Rights

Key Dates

Filing Date: Sept. 25, 2018

Case Details

Other Dockets:

Southern District of Iowa 4:18-cv-00316

Available Documents:

Trial Court Docket

U.S. Supreme Court merits opinion

Recommended Citation