M. Reid Estes, Jr.

• The Legal 500 United States
  • Labor and Employment Disputes- Defense, 2024
• Benchmark Litigation
  • "Local Labor & Employment Star," 2021-2022
• Martindale-Hubbell® Judicial AV Preeminent® Rating, AV Preeminent® Rating
• The Legal 500 United States
  • "Recommended Lawyer," 2017-2020
  • Labor and Employment Disputes - Defense, 2021-2023
• Mid-South Super Lawyers®
  • Employment and Labor, 2006-2021, 2023
• Nashville Post
  • 100 Best Lawyers in Nashville (in wage and hour class-action litigation).
• Best Lawyers in America® 
  • Employment Law - Management, Litigation - Labor and Employment, 2013-2025

Successfully represented a Fortune 500 company in federal court by developing an innovative defense strategy which effectively decertified an FLSA class/collective action and prevented court-approved notice from issuing, saving the company millions in potential damages and defense costs.

Recently achieved a favorable result for one of nation’s largest medical staffing companies in FLSA class/collective action filed in federal court.

Recently successfully defended a national computer sales company preventing class certification in a federal FLSA class/collective action seeking to reclassify entire sales staff as non-exempt.

Recently drafted and assisted in implementation of an arbitration program for large nationwide computer company, saving significant financial and human resources associated with traditional litigation and reducing future risk and exposure.

Successfully defended against collateral attacks seeking to vacate favorable arbitration awards achieved for clients, including a successful opposition to petition for certiorari filed with US Supreme Court.

Successfully defended national guard staffing company in arbitration actions brought by union alleging breach of collective bargaining agreement in the discipline/discharge of guards.

Significant class action experience in employment and consumer cases including:

• Numerous FLSA cases involving application of the Executive, Administrative and Outside Sales Exemptions; 
• Numerous FLSA cases involving “off-the-clock” or “computer time shaving” allegations;
• Wage and hour claims under various state laws;
• Consumer class actions under TILA, FCRA, and FCC Truth in Billing Act;

Served as neutral and/or arbitrator in FMLA, FLSA, Title VII, Stored Communications Act, construction and breach of contract disputes, and insurance agency/business dispute cases.

• Co-Author, "Sixth Circuit Announces Stricter Standard for Sending Notice in FLSA Collective Actions,” Dickinson Wright All Things HR Blog, June 2023
• “Supreme Court Greatly Expands Title VII Retaliation Claims,” March 2011
• “The Class Action Du Jour: Suits Against ATM Operators for Failure to Post Proper Notices on ATM Exterior,” September 2010
• “Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009,” January 2009
• "New White-Collar Regulations: 'If it Ain’t Broke…,'" Nashville Bar Journal, June 2004.
• "Fair Labor Standards Act Litigation & Class Action Issues," June 2002 Tennessee Bar Association’s Sixth Annual Labor and Employment Law Form.
• "Federal Wage & Hour Law – Basics and Pitfalls to Avoid," September 2002.
• "Hot Issues in Fair Labor Standard Act Litigation: Seemingly Small Violations Can Add Up," October 2002.