Hamm v. Ochsner-Acadia — 5th Cir. (Aug 4, 2026)
The Fifth Circuit reviews class and collective certification in a meal-break pay suit against two Acadia affiliates. Amy Hamm and Joye Wilson say staff at a Louisiana psychiatric hospital were effectively on call during unpaid meal breaks. The district court certified a Fair Labor Standards Act collective and a Rule 23 class for Louisiana unjust-enrichment and conversion claims. Acadia appeals. On August 19, the Fifth Circuit dismissed Acadia's challenge to the FLSA collective for lack of appellate jurisdiction and affirmed the Rule 23 class certification.
Hamm v. Ochsner-Acadia (No. 25-30603) — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, argued August 4, 2026.
Sources
Argument audio — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit:https://www.ca5.uscourts.gov/OralArgRecordings/25/25-30603_8-4-2026.mp3
Argument listing — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit:https://www.ca5.uscourts.gov/oral-argument-recordings?docket=25-30603
Opinion — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit:https://www.ca5.uscourts.gov/opinions/pub/25/25-30603-CV0.pdf
Appellate docket — Justia:https://dockets.justia.com/docket/circuit-courts/ca5/25-30603
District court class-certification order — Justia:https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/louisiana/laedce/2%3A2020cv01515/245968/367/
District court collective-certification order — Justia:https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/louisiana/laedce/2%3A2020cv01515/245968/129/
Independent decision report — VERDICT News:https://verdict.news/circuit/fifth-circuit-affirms-class-certification-in-louisiana-meal-break-wage-suit-01a01c79
Frederick L. Conrad III — Holland & Knight:https://www.hklaw.com/en/professionals/c/conrad-frederick
Ori Edelstein — Schneider Wallace Cottrell Kim:https://www.schneiderwallace.com/attorneys/ori-edelstein/
- 0:00Introduction
- 0:45Frederick L. Conrad III
- 16:36Ori Edelstein