Related Practices
In an article published on March 5, 2019 by E&E News, shareholder Annette Idalski’s recent appellate victory for Premier Directional Drilling in Parrish v. Premier Directional Drilling is highlighted. Idalski chairs Chamberlain Hrdlicka’s national labor and employment practice group.
In this highly anticipated court case with broad implications for the oil industry, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals court unanimously concluded that directional drilling engineers can be classified as independent contractors and not employees. The Court reversed a lower court’s finding that a group of workers for Houston-based Premier Directional Drilling LP were employees of the company. Idalski, who served as lead counsel for Premier, says, “Oil and gas companies can now maintain contract classification for workers and preserve their business model without fear.” E&E News subscribers may access the article here.