Case: EEOC v. Tanami Trading Corporation (d/b/a Left Lane Express)

5:06-cv-00252 | U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas

Filed Date: Sept. 29, 2006

Closed Date: 2011

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Case Summary

On September 29, 2006, the EEOC filed this lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas. The plaintiffs sued Tanami Trading Corporation under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. § 2000, the Civil Rights Act of 1991, and 42 U.S.C. § 1981. The plaintiffs asked the court for back pay, compensatory damages, and punitive damages. The plaintiffs alleged that the defendants subjected three Black workers to racially hostile work environments and constructivel…

Specifically, the plaintiffs claimed that managers at Tanami Trading Corporation made graphic racial comments and threats of a racist nature directed towards the three Black employees. The plaintiffs argued that these comments were intentional, and they adversely affected their status as employees.

On June 13, 2008, Judge J. Leon Holmes ordered a consent decree for both injunctive and individual relief. The injunctive relief included a requirement for the defendant to participate in trainings on racial harassment and constructive discharge, a requirement for the defendant to post a notice pursuant to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and a requirement for the defendant to report to the Commission on complaints of racial discrimination received. The individual relief requires the defendant to pay $70,000 to be split among the three plaintiffs. No attorney fees were granted. The consent decree's effective period was three years, and there's nothing more on the docket - so presumably the matter ended in 2011.

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Summary Authors

Daisy Manning (5/19/2008)

Gabriela Hybel (10/16/2016)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/5292985/parties/equal-employment-opportunity-commission-v-tanami-trading-corporation/

Judge(s)

Forster, John F. Jr. (Arkansas)

Holmes, James Leon (Arkansas)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Beck, Terry (Tennessee)

Cash, William A. Jr. (Arkansas)

Attorney for Defendant

Bynum, F. Wilson Jr. (Alaska)

Judge(s)

Forster, John F. Jr. (Arkansas)

Holmes, James Leon (Arkansas)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Beck, Terry (Tennessee)

Cash, William A. Jr. (Arkansas)

Tuggle, Darin B. (Tennessee)

Williams, Faye A. (Tennessee)

Attorney for Defendant

Bynum, F. Wilson Jr. (Alaska)

Attorney Contact Information via CourtListener

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

	Document
5:06-cv-00252	Docket (PACER) EEOC v. Tanami Trading Corporation	June 13, 2008	June 13, 2008 Docket
1 5:06-cv-00252	Complaint EEOC v. Tanami Trading Corporation, d/b/a Left Lane Express	Sept. 29, 2006	Sept. 29, 2006 Complaint
31 5:06-cv-00252	Consent Decree EEOC v. Tanami Trading Corporation	June 13, 2008	June 13, 2008 Order/Opinion

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Resources

Title	Description		External URL Date / External URL
Under the Radar: Visibility and the Effects of Discrimination Lawsuits in Small and Large Firms Carly Knight, Frank Dobbin, Alexandra Kalev	Research on how discrimination lawsuits affect corporate diversity has yielded mixed results. Qualitative studies highlight the limited efficacy of lawsuits in the typical workplace, finding that lit…	March 2022	April 1, 2022 https://cris.tau.ac.il/...

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Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/5292985/equal-employment-opportunity-commission-v-tanami-trading-corporation/

Last updated June 1, 2026, 6:48 p.m.

ECF Number	Description	Date	Link Date / Link
1	COMPLAINT w/Jury Demand against Tanami Trading Corporation d/b/a Left Lane Express, filed by Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. (Fee Waived; No Summons Issued)(mkf, ) (Entered: 09/29/2006)	Sept. 29, 2006	Sept. 29, 2006 RECAP
	***Set Jury and Magistrate Judge (JFF) Flags. (mkf, ) (Entered: 09/29/2006)	Sept. 29, 2006	Sept. 29, 2006
	***Set Jury and Magistrate Judge (JFF) Flags. (mkf, )	Sept. 29, 2006	Sept. 29, 2006
2	SUMMONS Returned Executed on Tanami Trading Corporation dba Left Lane Express, by serving Robert Membrey on 12/12/2006. (vjt) (Entered: 12/14/2006)	Dec. 14, 2006	Dec. 14, 2006
3	ANSWER to Complaint by Tanami Trading Corporation.(bkj, ) (Entered: 01/03/2007)	Dec. 29, 2006	Dec. 29, 2006
4	INITIAL SCHEDULING ORDER (DOC): Rule 26(f) Conference to occur by 3/8/2007; Rule 26(f) Report due by 3/22/2007; proposed jury trial date the week of 9/10/2007 in Pine Bluff.(cdw) (Entered: 01/04/2007)	Jan. 4, 2007	Jan. 4, 2007
5	REPORT of Rule 26(f) Planning Meeting by Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Joint Local Rule 26(f) Report (Cash, William) (Entered: 03/08/2007)	March 8, 2007	March 8, 2007
6	FINAL SCHEDULING ORDER (DOC): Jury Trial set for the week of 11/5/2007 at 9:15 AM in Pine Bluff, Courtroom (large) #3602 before Chief Judge J. Leon Holmes; Discovery due by 7/19/2007; Pretrial Disclosure Sheet due by 10/16/2007; Status Report due by 9/6/2007. (cdw) (Entered: 03/20/2007)	March 20, 2007	March 20, 2007
7	RESPONSES to Plaintiff's First Requests for Admissions of Fact by Tanami Trading Corporation. (mkf) (Entered: 07/06/2007)	July 3, 2007	July 3, 2007
8	Joint MOTION to Extend Time of Discovery Deadline by Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (Cash, William) (Entered: 07/13/2007)	July 13, 2007	July 13, 2007
9	ORDER granting 8 Motion to Extend Discovery ddl until August 17, 2007. Signed by Judge J. Leon Holmes on 7/13/07. (bkp) (Entered: 07/13/2007)	July 13, 2007	July 13, 2007
10	STATUS REPORT by Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (Cash, William) (Entered: 09/06/2007)	Sept. 6, 2007	Sept. 6, 2007
11	PRETRIAL DISCLOSURE SHEET : PLAINTIFF'S PRETRIAL DISCLOSURES by Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (Cash, William) (Entered: 10/11/2007)	Oct. 11, 2007	Oct. 11, 2007
12	PRETRIAL DISCLOSURE SHEET by Tanami Trading Corporation (Bynum, F.) (Entered: 10/17/2007)	Oct. 17, 2007	Oct. 17, 2007
13	ORDER REFERRING CASE to Magistrate Judge Forster for Settlement Conference. Settlement Conference set for 11/6/2007 at 10:00 AM in Little Rock Courtroom # 2C before Magistrate Judge John F. Forster Jr. Signed by Judge J. Leon Holmes on 10/18/07. (vjt) (Entered: 10/18/2007)	Oct. 18, 2007	Oct. 18, 2007
14	Minute Order. Proceedings held before Judge John F. Forster Jr.: Settlement Conference held on 11/6/2007. (Court Reporter cn.) (mcn) (Entered: 11/07/2007)	Nov. 6, 2007	Nov. 6, 2007
15	MOTION to Withdraw as Attorney - Terry Beck (Proposed Order Submitted) by Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (Cash, William) (Entered: 01/15/2008)	Jan. 15, 2008	Jan. 15, 2008
16	NOTICE of Appearance by Darin B. Tuggle on behalf of Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (Tuggle, Darin) (Entered: 01/15/2008)	Jan. 15, 2008	Jan. 15, 2008
17	ORDER granting 15 Motion to Withdraw Terry Beck as counsel of record for pltf. Signed by Chief Judge J. Leon Holmes on 1/15/08. (vjt) (Entered: 01/15/2008)	Jan. 15, 2008	Jan. 15, 2008
18	AMENDED FINAL SCHEDULING ORDER (DOC): Jury Trial reset for the week of 6/16/2008 at 9:15 AM in Pine Bluff, Courtroom (large) #3602 before Chief Judge J. Leon Holmes; Discovery due by 4/3/2008; Status Report due by 4/17/2008; Pretrial Disclosure Sheet due by 5/27/2008. (cdw) (Entered: 01/16/2008)	Jan. 16, 2008	Jan. 16, 2008
19	First MOTION to Withdraw as Attorney by Tanami Trading Corporation (Bynum, F.) (Entered: 03/28/2008)	March 28, 2008	March 28, 2008
20	ORDER directing deft to respond to 19 motion of F. Wilson Bynum, Jr., to be relieved as counsel, on or before 4/30/08; failure to comply with this Order may cause this case to be dismissed w/o prej; the Clerk is directed to send a copy of this Order by certified mail to Robert Membrey, Left Lane Express, 4805 Farm Lane, Pine Bluff, AR 71603. Signed by Chief Judge J. Leon Holmes on 3/31/08. (vjt) (Entered: 03/31/2008)	March 31, 2008	March 31, 2008
	Docket Note: copy of 20 Order sent to Robert Membrey, Left Lane Express, 4805 Farm Lane, Pine Bluff, AR 71603 by certified mail #70993400001580903187. (vjt) (Entered: 03/31/2008)	March 31, 2008	March 31, 2008
	Docket Note: copy of 20 Order sent to Robert Membrey, Left Lane Express, 4805 Farm Lane, Pine Bluff, AR 71603 by certified mail #70993400001580903187. (vjt)	March 31, 2008	March 31, 2008
21	RESPONSE to Motion re 19 First MOTION to Withdraw as Attorney filed by Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. (Cash, William) (Entered: 04/03/2008)	April 3, 2008	April 3, 2008
22	ORDER denying 19 Motion of F. Wilson Bynum, Jr., to Withdraw as Counsel of Record for Deft; Mr. Bynum may be relieved as counsel only if another lawyer enters an appearance to represent the defendant. Signed by Chief Judge J. Leon Holmes on 4/4/08. (vjt) (Entered: 04/04/2008)	April 4, 2008	April 4, 2008
23	STATUS REPORT (SECOND) by Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (Cash, William) (Entered: 04/17/2008)	April 17, 2008	April 17, 2008
24	ORDER OF REASSIGNMENT. Case reference reassigned to Magistrate Judge J. Thomas Ray. Signed at the Direction of the Court on 5/13/2008. (bkp)	May 13, 2008	May 13, 2008 RECAP
25	PRETRIAL DISCLOSURE SHEET by Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. (Cash, William) (Entered: 05/27/2008)	May 27, 2008	May 27, 2008
26	CERTIFIED Mail Returned as Undeliverable. Mail sent to Robert Membrey re 20 Order on Motion to Withdraw as Attorney. (vjt) (Entered: 05/28/2008)	May 28, 2008	May 28, 2008
27	MOTION to Compel Responses to its Second Set of Interrogatories and Requests for Production of Documents by Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (Cash, William) (Entered: 05/29/2008)	May 29, 2008	May 29, 2008
28	BRIEF IN SUPPORT filed by Equal Employment Opportunity Commission re 27 Motion to Compel (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A - D)(Cash, William) (Entered: 05/29/2008)	May 29, 2008	May 29, 2008
29	ORDER directing deft to respond to pltf's 27 MOTION to Compel Responses to its Second Set of Interrogatories and Requests for Production of Documents by 5:00 p.m. on June 3, 2008. Signed by Chief Judge J. Leon Holmes on 5/30/08. (vjt) (Entered: 05/30/2008)	May 30, 2008	May 30, 2008
30	ORDER granting pltf's 27 Motion to Compel; deft is directed to provide full and complete responses to pltf's discovery requests on or before 6/10/08. Signed by Chief Judge J. Leon Holmes on 6/4/08. (vjt) (Entered: 06/04/2008)	June 4, 2008	June 4, 2008
31	CONSENT DECREE, Deft agrees to pay $70,000 to resolve this lawsuit; $25,000 to Bobby Huggins, $25,000 to Carla Huggins, and $20,000 to Charles Morehead; each party to bear their own costs and attorneys' fees; terminating case. Signed by Chief Judge J. Leon Holmes on 6/13/08. (vjt) (Entered: 06/16/2008)	June 13, 2008	June 13, 2008

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Case Details

State / Territory:

Arkansas

Case Type(s):

Equal Employment

Special Collection(s):

EEOC Study — in sample

Multi-LexSum (in sample)

Key Dates

Filing Date: Sept. 29, 2006

Closing Date: 2011

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, on behalf of one or more workers.

Plaintiff Type(s):

EEOC Plaintiff

Attorney Organizations:

EEOC

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

Private Entity/Person

Tanami Trading Corporation

Case Details

Causes of Action:

Title VII (including PDA), 42 U.S.C. § 2000e

Other Dockets:

Eastern District of Arkansas 5:06-cv-00252

Available Documents:

Complaint (any)

Injunctive (or Injunctive-like) Relief

Trial Court Docket

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Plaintiff OR Mixed

Relief Granted:

Damages

Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement

Source of Relief:

Settlement

Form of Settlement:

Court Approved Settlement or Consent Decree

Content of Injunction:

Discrimination Prohibition

Neutral/Positive Reference

Provide antidiscrimination training

Reporting

Retaliation Prohibition

Training

Amount Defendant Pays: 70,000

Order Duration: 2008 - 2011

Issues

Discrimination Area:

Discharge / Constructive Discharge / Layoff

Disparate Treatment

Harassment / Hostile Work Environment

Discrimination Basis:

Race discrimination

EEOC-centric:

Direct Suit on Merits

Recommended Citation

Case Summary of EEOC v. Tanami Trading Corporation (d/b/a Left Lane Express), Civil Rights Litig. Clearinghouse, https://clearinghouse.net/case/8127/ (last updated 10/16/2016).