Peter F. Klett III, a member in Dickinson Wright’s Nashville office, focuses his practice on labor and employment law with a particular emphasis on class action lawsuits. He has served as lead counsel in many high-profile wage and hour compliance suits throughout the U.S. For nearly 30 years, Peter has proudly served as primary regional and local litigation counsel for independent trucking companies in catastrophic injury, wrongful death, and personal injury cases. He also represents consumers who have been the victims of fraud and other consumer protection violations, as well as manufacturers facing a variety of lawsuits involving product defects.
Education & Credentials
Education
New York University
Farleigh Dickinson University
B.S., 1983- magna cum laude
Vanderbilt University School of Law
J.D., 1987- Member, Moot Court Board
Bar Admission
Acknowledgements
- Best Lawyers in America®
- Litigation - Labor and Employment, 2020, 2023-2024
- Commercial Litigation, 2024
- Martindale-Hubbell® AV Peer Review Rating
Representative Clients
- Central Transport, Inc.
- Cherokee Insurance Company
- Daily Express, Inc.
- Everhart Transportation, Inc.
- FedEx Freight East, Inc.
- FedEx National
- Liberty Bell Agency, Inc.
- P.A.M. Transport, Inc.
- U.S. Xpress, Inc.
- Venture Express, Inc.
Prominent Assignments
Representing plaintiffs in collective action that asserts the defendants willfully violated FLSA by failing to pay for all hours worked and overtime to their former and current van drivers, and that the defendants wrongfully deducted insurance premiums from the amounts they did pay the workers, allegedly to provide occupational health insurance, but in fact, keeping the money for themselves. This case has also been filed as a class action under Rule 23 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure based on theories of breach of contract, unjust enrichment, and conversion under Kentucky common law.
Defense of a transport company in a long-running collective action under the FLSA brought by approximately 3,300 current and former truck drivers. The case was settled on the eve of trial for $16.5 million.
Represented current and former marketers and marketing managers employed by a timeshare company in a nationwide collective action asserting that the company willfully violated the FLSA by failing to properly calculate overtime pay nationwide from January 3, 2016 to the recovery period.
Served as primary regional and local litigation counsel for independent trucking companies in catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases.
Representation of consumers who have been victims of fraud and other consumer protection violations, including 17,974 class members who were improperly assessed late fees and additional charges associated with the leasing of private passenger vehicles. The case resulted in the bank refunding all late fees during the entire statutory period.
Successful defense of various manufacturers in cases involving product defects, including hydraulic lifts, animal vaccines, plastic wrapping machines, electrical power lines, electrical lighting ballasts, and other industrial equipment.
Successful representation in cases involving application of the Outside Sales Exemption:
o Evans, et al. v. Coca-Cola Enterprises, et al. - Class of 1,231 employees working as account managers servicing large chain stores, grocery stores, gas stations, markets and other direct sale vendors.
o Tyrell, et al. v. BCI Coca-Cola Bottling Company of Los Angeles - Class of 253 employees working as service/sales managers.
o Estrada, et al. v. Seven-Up, Inc., et al. - 706 class members working as account managers servicing retail sector clients.
o Eaton v. Coors Brewing Company, et al. - 218 class members working as route salesmen.
Successful representation in cases involving application of the Executive Exemption:
o Garcia v. Save Mart Supermarkets, et al. - Class of 172 employees working as Grocery Managers for large independent grocery chain in northern California.
o Monaco v. Applebees International, Inc., et al. - 103 class members working as restaurant managers for the Applebees franchise.
o Sarte, et al. v. Cinnabon, Inc., et al. - 148 class members working as managers at company-owned store locations.
Defense of a transport company in a long-running collective action under the FLSA brought by approximately 3,300 current and former truck drivers. The case was settled on the eve of trial for $16.5 million.
Represented current and former marketers and marketing managers employed by a timeshare company in a nationwide collective action asserting that the company willfully violated the FLSA by failing to properly calculate overtime pay nationwide from January 3, 2016 to the recovery period.
Served as primary regional and local litigation counsel for independent trucking companies in catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases.
Representation of consumers who have been victims of fraud and other consumer protection violations, including 17,974 class members who were improperly assessed late fees and additional charges associated with the leasing of private passenger vehicles. The case resulted in the bank refunding all late fees during the entire statutory period.
Successful defense of various manufacturers in cases involving product defects, including hydraulic lifts, animal vaccines, plastic wrapping machines, electrical power lines, electrical lighting ballasts, and other industrial equipment.
Successful representation in cases involving application of the Outside Sales Exemption:
o Evans, et al. v. Coca-Cola Enterprises, et al. - Class of 1,231 employees working as account managers servicing large chain stores, grocery stores, gas stations, markets and other direct sale vendors.
o Tyrell, et al. v. BCI Coca-Cola Bottling Company of Los Angeles - Class of 253 employees working as service/sales managers.
o Estrada, et al. v. Seven-Up, Inc., et al. - 706 class members working as account managers servicing retail sector clients.
o Eaton v. Coors Brewing Company, et al. - 218 class members working as route salesmen.
Successful representation in cases involving application of the Executive Exemption:
o Garcia v. Save Mart Supermarkets, et al. - Class of 172 employees working as Grocery Managers for large independent grocery chain in northern California.
o Monaco v. Applebees International, Inc., et al. - 103 class members working as restaurant managers for the Applebees franchise.
o Sarte, et al. v. Cinnabon, Inc., et al. - 148 class members working as managers at company-owned store locations.
Professional Involvement
- Nashville Bar Association
- Tennessee Bar Association
- American Bar Association
- Defense Research Institute
- Tennessee Defense Lawyers Association