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JONES v. SINGING RIVER HEALTH SERVICES FOUNDATION

Cause Nos. 1:14CV447-LG-RHW, 1:15CV1-LG-RHW, 1:15CV44-LG-RHW

THOMAS JONES, JOSEPH CHARLES LOHFINK, SUE BEAVERS, RODOLFOA REL, and HAZEL REED THOMAS, on behalf of themselves and other similarly situated, Plaintiffs, v. SINGING RIVER HEALTH SERVICES FOUNDATION, et al., Defendants, CONSOLIDATED WITH REGINA COBB, SUSAN CREEL, and PHYLLIS DENMARK, on behalf of themselves and others similarly situated, Plaintiffs, v. SINGING RIVER HEALTH SYSTEM, et al., Defendants, And, MARTHA EZELL LOWE, individually and on behalf of a class of similarly situated employees, Plaintiffs, v. SINGING RIVER HEALTH SYSTEM, et al., Defendants.

United States District Court, S.D. Mississippi, Southern Division.

July 27, 2015.

Attorney(s) appearing for the Case

Thomas Jones, on behalf of themselves and others similarly situated, Plaintiff, represented by David G. Wirtes, Jr. , CUNNINGHAM BOUNDS, LLC, George W. Finkbohner, III , CUNNINGHAM BOUNDS, LLC, James R. Reeves, Jr. , LUMPKIN, REEVES & MESTAYER, PLLC, Lucy Elizabeth Tufts , CUNNINGHAM BOUNDS, LLC, Steven L. Nicholas , CUNNINGHAM BOUNDS, LLC, Matthew G. Mestayer , REEVES & MESTAYER, PLLC & Thomas W. Busby , LUMPKIN, REEVES & MESTAYER, PLLC.

Joseph Charles Lohfink, on behalf of themselves and others similarly situated, Plaintiff, represented by David G. Wirtes, Jr. , CUNNINGHAM BOUNDS, LLC, George W. Finkbohner, III , CUNNINGHAM BOUNDS, LLC, James R. Reeves, Jr. , LUMPKIN, REEVES & MESTAYER, PLLC, Lucy Elizabeth Tufts , CUNNINGHAM BOUNDS, LLC, Steven L. Nicholas , CUNNINGHAM BOUNDS, LLC, Matthew G. Mestayer , REEVES & MESTAYER, PLLC & Thomas W. Busby , LUMPKIN, REEVES & MESTAYER, PLLC.

Sue Beavers, on behalf of themselves and others similarly situated, Plaintiff, represented by David G. Wirtes, Jr. , CUNNINGHAM BOUNDS, LLC, George W. Finkbohner, III , CUNNINGHAM BOUNDS, LLC, James R. Reeves, Jr. , LUMPKIN, REEVES & MESTAYER, PLLC, Lucy Elizabeth Tufts , CUNNINGHAM BOUNDS, LLC, Steven L. Nicholas , CUNNINGHAM BOUNDS, LLC, Matthew G. Mestayer , REEVES & MESTAYER, PLLC & Thomas W. Busby , LUMPKIN, REEVES & MESTAYER, PLLC.

Rodolfoa Rel, on behalf of themselves and others similarly situated, Plaintiff, represented by David G. Wirtes, Jr. , CUNNINGHAM BOUNDS, LLC, George W. Finkbohner, III , CUNNINGHAM BOUNDS, LLC, James R. Reeves, Jr. , LUMPKIN, REEVES & MESTAYER, PLLC, Lucy Elizabeth Tufts , CUNNINGHAM BOUNDS, LLC, Steven L. Nicholas , CUNNINGHAM BOUNDS, LLC, Matthew G. Mestayer , REEVES & MESTAYER, PLLC & Thomas W. Busby , LUMPKIN, REEVES & MESTAYER, PLLC.

Hazel Reed Thomas, on behalf of themselves and others similarly situated, Plaintiff, represented by David G. Wirtes, Jr. , CUNNINGHAM BOUNDS, LLC, George W. Finkbohner, III , CUNNINGHAM BOUNDS, LLC, James R. Reeves, Jr. , LUMPKIN, REEVES & MESTAYER, PLLC, Lucy Elizabeth Tufts , CUNNINGHAM BOUNDS, LLC, Steven L. Nicholas , CUNNINGHAM BOUNDS, LLC, Matthew G. Mestayer , REEVES & MESTAYER, PLLC & Thomas W. Busby , LUMPKIN, REEVES & MESTAYER, PLLC.

Martha Ezell Lowe, individually and on behalf of a class of similarly situated employees, Consol Plaintiff, represented by Angelique M. Cooper , A. COOPER, ATTORNEY AT LAW, LLC, Joe R. Whatley, Jr. , WHATLEY KALLAS, LLP, Richard P. Rouco , QUINN, CONNOR, WEAVER, DAVIES & ROUCO, LLP & Roger K. Doolittle , ROGER K. DOOLITTLE, ATTORNEY.

Regina Cobb, on behalf of themselves and others similarly situated, Consol Plaintiff, represented by Douglas L. Tynes, Jr. , TYNES LAW FIRM, PA, Dustin N. Thomas , LAW OFFICES OF DUSTIN N. THOMAS, PLLC, J. Gerard Stranch, IV , BRANSTETTER, STRANCH & JENNINGS, PLLC & Robert Keith Miller , MILLER & MILLER, ATTORNEYS AT LAW, PLLC.

Phyllis Denmark, on behalf of themselves and others similarly situated, Consol Plaintiff, represented by Douglas L. Tynes, Jr. , TYNES LAW FIRM, PA, Dustin N. Thomas , LAW OFFICES OF DUSTIN N. THOMAS, PLLC, J. Gerard Stranch, IV , BRANSTETTER, STRANCH & JENNINGS, PLLC & Robert Keith Miller , MILLER & MILLER, ATTORNEYS AT LAW, PLLC.

Susan Creel, on behalf of themselves and others similarly situated, Consol Plaintiff, represented by Douglas L. Tynes, Jr. , TYNES LAW FIRM, PA, Dustin N. Thomas , LAW OFFICES OF DUSTIN N. THOMAS, PLLC, J. Gerard Stranch, IV , BRANSTETTER, STRANCH & JENNINGS, PLLC & Robert Keith Miller , MILLER & MILLER, ATTORNEYS AT LAW, PLLC.

Singing River Health Services Foundation, Defendant, represented by Andrea M. Kimball , DENTONS US, LLP, Brett K. Williams , WILKINSON, WILLIAMS, KINARD, SMITH & EDWARDS, Carly D. Duvall , DENTONS US, LLP, Alexander Kelly Sessoms, III , DOGAN & WILKINSON, PLLC & Hanson D. Horn , DOGAN & WILKINSON, PLLC.

Singing River Health System Foundation, Defendant, represented by Andrea M. Kimball , DENTONS US, LLP, Brett K. Williams , WILKINSON, WILLIAMS, KINARD, SMITH & EDWARDS, Carly D. Duvall , DENTONS US, LLP, Alexander Kelly Sessoms, III , DOGAN & WILKINSON, PLLC & Hanson D. Horn , DOGAN & WILKINSON, PLLC.

Singing River Hospital System Foundation, Inc., Defendant, represented by Andrea M. Kimball , DENTONS US, LLP, Brett K. Williams , WILKINSON, WILLIAMS, KINARD, SMITH & EDWARDS, Carly D. Duvall , DENTONS US, LLP, Alexander Kelly Sessoms, III , DOGAN & WILKINSON, PLLC & Hanson D. Horn , DOGAN & WILKINSON, PLLC.

Singing River Hospital System Employee Benefit Fund, Inc., Defendant, represented by Andrea M. Kimball , DENTONS US, LLP, Brett K. Williams , WILKINSON, WILLIAMS, KINARD, SMITH & EDWARDS, Carly D. Duvall , DENTONS US, LLP, Alexander Kelly Sessoms, III , DOGAN & WILKINSON, PLLC & Hanson D. Horn , DOGAN & WILKINSON, PLLC.

Singing River Hospital System, Defendant, represented by Andrea M. Kimball , DENTONS US, LLP, Brett K. Williams , WILKINSON, WILLIAMS, KINARD, SMITH & EDWARDS, Carly D. Duvall , DENTONS US, LLP, Alexander Kelly Sessoms, III , DOGAN & WILKINSON, PLLC & Hanson D. Horn , DOGAN & WILKINSON, PLLC.

Transamerica Retirement Solutions Corporation, Defendant, represented by Armin J. Moeller, Jr. , BALCH & BINGHAM, LLP, Marianne Hogan , MORGAN, LEWIS & BOCKIUS, LLP, William J. Delany , MORGAN, LEWIS & BOCKIUS, LLP & Ashley Eley Cannady , BALCH & BINGHAM, LLP.

KPMG, LLP, Defendant, represented by Amelia Toy Rudolph , SOUTHERLAND, ASBILL & BRENNAN, LLP, Patricia Anne Gorham , SUTHERLAND, ASBILL & BRENNAN, LLP, R. David Kaufman , BRUNINI, GRANTHAM, GROWER & HEWES, PLLC-Jackson & Taylor B. McNeel , BRUNINI, GRANTHAM, GROWER & HEWES, PLLC-Biloxi.

Michael J. Heidelberg, Defendant, represented by Andrea M. Kimball , DENTONS US, LLP, Brett K. Williams , WILKINSON, WILLIAMS, KINARD, SMITH & EDWARDS, Carly D. Duvall , DENTONS US, LLP, Alexander Kelly Sessoms, III , DOGAN & WILKINSON, PLLC & Hanson D. Horn , DOGAN & WILKINSON, PLLC.

Michael D. Tolleson, Defendant, represented by John L. Hunter , CUMBEST, CUMBEST, HUNTER & MCCORMICK.

Tommy Leonard, Defendant, represented by Andrea M. Kimball , DENTONS US, LLP, Brett K. Williams , WILKINSON, WILLIAMS, KINARD, SMITH & EDWARDS, Carly D. Duvall , DENTONS US, LLP, Alexander Kelly Sessoms, III , DOGAN & WILKINSON, PLLC & Hanson D. Horn , DOGAN & WILKINSON, PLLC.

Lawrence H. Cosper, Defendant, represented by Andrea M. Kimball , DENTONS US, LLP, Brett K. Williams , WILKINSON, WILLIAMS, KINARD, SMITH & EDWARDS, Carly D. Duvall , DENTONS US, LLP, Alexander Kelly Sessoms, III , DOGAN & WILKINSON, PLLC & Hanson D. Horn , DOGAN & WILKINSON, PLLC.

Morris G. Strickland, Defendant, represented by Andrea M. Kimball , DENTONS US, LLP, Brett K. Williams , WILKINSON, WILLIAMS, KINARD, SMITH & EDWARDS, Carly D. Duvall , DENTONS US, LLP, Alexander Kelly Sessoms, III , DOGAN & WILKINSON, PLLC & Hanson D. Horn , DOGAN & WILKINSON, PLLC.

Ira Polk, Defendant, represented by Andrea M. Kimball , DENTONS US, LLP, Brett K. Williams , WILKINSON, WILLIAMS, KINARD, SMITH & EDWARDS, Carly D. Duvall , DENTONS US, LLP, Alexander Kelly Sessoms, III , DOGAN & WILKINSON, PLLC & Hanson D. Horn , DOGAN & WILKINSON, PLLC.

Gary C. Anderson, Defendant, represented by Roy D. Campbell, III , BRADLEY ARANT BOULT CUMMINGS, LLP.

Stephanie Barnes Taylor, Defendant, represented by Pieter Teeuwissen , PIETER TEEUWISSEN, PLLC.

Michael Crews, Defendant, represented by Andrea M. Kimball , DENTONS US, LLP, Brett K. Williams , WILKINSON, WILLIAMS, KINARD, SMITH & EDWARDS, Carly D. Duvall , DENTONS US, LLP, Donald C. Dornan, Jr. , DORNAN LAW OFFICE, PLLC, Alexander Kelly Sessoms, III , DOGAN & WILKINSON, PLLC, Hanson D. Horn , DOGAN & WILKINSON, PLLC & Lauren R. Hillery , DORNAN LAW OFFICE, PLLC.

Singing River Health System, Defendant, represented by Andrea M. Kimball , DENTONS US, LLP, Brett K. Williams , WILKINSON, WILLIAMS, KINARD, SMITH & EDWARDS, Carly D. Duvall , DENTONS US, LLP, Alexander Kelly Sessoms, III , DOGAN & WILKINSON, PLLC & Hanson D. Horn , DOGAN & WILKINSON, PLLC.

Allen Cronier, Defendant, represented by Carly D. Duvall , DENTONS US, LLP & Hanson D. Horn , DOGAN & WILKINSON, PLLC.

Marva Fairley-Tanner, Defendant, represented by Carly D. Duvall , DENTONS US, LLP & Hanson D. Horn , DOGAN & WILKINSON, PLLC.

Grayson Carter, Jr., Defendant, represented by Carly D. Duvall , DENTONS US, LLP & Hanson D. Horn , DOGAN & WILKINSON, PLLC.

Board of Trustees for the Singing River Health System, Consol Defendant, represented by Alexander Kelly Sessoms, III , DOGAN & WILKINSON, PLLC, Brett K. Williams , WILKINSON, WILLIAMS, KINARD, SMITH & EDWARDS & Hanson D. Horn , DOGAN & WILKINSON, PLLC.

Martin D. Bydalek, Consol Defendant, represented by Calen J. Wills , BRYAN, NELSON, SCHROEDER, CASTIGLIOLA & BANAHAN, Jessica B. McNeel , BRYAN, NELSON, SCHROEDER, CASTIGLIOLA & BANAHAN, John A. Banahan , BRYAN, NELSON, SCHROEDER, CASTIGLIOLA & BANAHAN & Hanson D. Horn , DOGAN & WILKINSON, PLLC.

William C. Descher, Consol Defendant, represented by John A. Banahan , BRYAN, NELSON, SCHROEDER, CASTIGLIOLA & BANAHAN, Calen J. Wills , BRYAN, NELSON, SCHROEDER, CASTIGLIOLA & BANAHAN, Hanson D. Horn , DOGAN & WILKINSON, PLLC & Jessica B. McNeel , BRYAN, NELSON, SCHROEDER, CASTIGLIOLA & BANAHAN.

Kevin Holland, Consol Defendant, represented by Alexander Kelly Sessoms, III , DOGAN & WILKINSON, PLLC, Brett K. Williams , WILKINSON, WILLIAMS, KINARD, SMITH & EDWARDS & Hanson D. Horn , DOGAN & WILKINSON, PLLC.

Stephen Nunenmacher, Consol Defendant, represented by John A. Banahan , BRYAN, NELSON, SCHROEDER, CASTIGLIOLA & BANAHAN, Calen J. Wills , BRYAN, NELSON, SCHROEDER, CASTIGLIOLA & BANAHAN & Jessica B. McNeel , BRYAN, NELSON, SCHROEDER, CASTIGLIOLA & BANAHAN.

Joseph P. Vice, Consol Defendant, represented by John A. Banahan , BRYAN, NELSON, SCHROEDER, CASTIGLIOLA & BANAHAN, Calen J. Wills , BRYAN, NELSON, SCHROEDER, CASTIGLIOLA & BANAHAN & Jessica B. McNeel , BRYAN, NELSON, SCHROEDER, CASTIGLIOLA & BANAHAN.

Eric D. Washington, Consol Defendant, represented by John A. Banahan , BRYAN, NELSON, SCHROEDER, CASTIGLIOLA & BANAHAN, Calen J. Wills , BRYAN, NELSON, SCHROEDER, CASTIGLIOLA & BANAHAN & Jessica B. McNeel , BRYAN, NELSON, SCHROEDER, CASTIGLIOLA & BANAHAN.

Hugo Quintana, Consol Defendant, represented by Mary Winter Van Slyke , PAGE, MANNINO, PERESICH & MCDERMOTT, PLLC & Stephen G. Peresich , PAGE, MANNINO, PERESICH & MCDERMOTT.

Cobb Plaintiffs, Movant, represented by Dustin N. Thomas , LAW OFFICES OF DUSTIN N. THOMAS, PLLC & Matthew G. Mestayer , REEVES & MESTAYER, PLLC.

ORDER REQUIRING SINGING RIVER HOSPITAL SYSTEM TO FILE A RESPONSE TO KPMG LLP'S MOTION TO COMPEL ARBITRATION

BEFORE THE COURT is the Motion to Compel Arbitration [89] filed by the defendant KPMG LLP. After reviewing the Motion, the record in this matter, and the applicable law, the Court finds that Singing River Hospital System should be required to file a response in opposition to the Motion.

DISCUSSION

In its Motion to Compel Arbitration, KPMG raises an arbitration clause contained in an attachment to engagement letters entered into by KPMG and Singing River Hospital System. Although only Singing River Hospital System signed the Engagement Letters, KPMG claims that the Jones and Lowe plaintiffs are bound by the arbitration clauses pursuant to the doctrine of equitable estoppel. The Jones and Lowe plaintiffs have filed a response in opposition to the Motion. Although Singing River requested additional time to respond to the Motion, it never filed a response.

The Mississippi Attorney General has opined that state agencies and political subdivisions, including county entities, generally are not permitted to enter into binding arbitration agreements unless authorized to do so by the Legislature. See MS. Att'y Gen. Op., No. 2002-0295, 2002 WL 1579650 Clark (June 7, 2002); see also MS Att'y Gen. Op., No. 2001 WL 283630 Austin (Feb. 16, 2001). As a result, the Court finds that Singing River Hospital System should be required to file a response to the Motion to Compel Arbitration. The response should address (1) the issue of whether Singing River Hospital System had authority to enter into a binding arbitration agreement with KPMG, and (2) the issue of whether the arbitration agreement is valid and enforceable. The response must be filed by August 13, 2015. KPMG may file a reply to Singing River's response by August 24, 2015.

IT IS, THEREFORE, ORDERED AND ADJUDGED that the Motion to Compel Arbitration [89] filed by the defendant KPMG LLP is TAKEN UNDER ADVISEMENT. Singing River Hospital System is ordered to file a response to the Motion to Compel Arbitration by August 13, 2015.

IT IS, FURTHER, ORDERED AND ADJUDGED that KPMG may file a reply to Singing River's Response by August 24, 2015.

SO ORDERED AND ADJUDGED.

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