Robin Lynn Tenaglia, Plaintiff v. Ryan's Family Steak Houses, Inc., and Ryan's Family Steak House TLC, Inc., Defendants, 2003 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 26322

Summary

The employee contended that the FAA did not apply, the arbitral forum was biased, and the arbitration agreement was unconscionable and against public policy. The employee also argued that she did not knowingly agree to arbitration, that the agreement was unenforceable due to economic duress and lack of consideration, and that the agreement did not apply since the employee was no longer employed by the employer. The court held, however, that the agreement to arbitrate clearly required arbitration of the dispute and the agreement was enforceable under the FAA. The statutory and employment-related nature of the employee's claims did not preclude application of the FAA, and there was no showing of evident bias to warrant a pre-arbitration finding of partiality. Further, there was no showing that agreement was unconscionable when made or violated any public policy of fairness, and the clear language of the agreement precluded the employee's claim that she did not understand the legal ...