Andreanna S. Atkins has filed a lawsuit that could shake up the logistics industry, alleging significant labor violations by her former employer. On January 20, 2026, Atkins filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia against Total Quality Logistics, LLC (TQL), TQL Global, LLC, and their CEO Kenneth Oaks. The suit accuses these entities of violating the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) by failing to pay her due overtime wages.
Atkins claims that during her tenure at TQL and its subsidiary TQL Global, she was misclassified as an exempt employee despite performing non-exempt work. Her primary duties involved selling freight brokering and logistics services—tasks she argues do not qualify for exemption under FLSA guidelines. From November 2021 until October 2023, Atkins worked as a Logistics Account Executive Trainee and later as an International Account Representative. She alleges she regularly worked over 40 hours per week without receiving appropriate overtime compensation.
The complaint highlights several key accusations against TQL and its affiliates. Atkins asserts that she frequently worked between 52 to 60 hours weekly but was never compensated for overtime hours beyond the standard 40-hour workweek. “Defendants willfully disregarded their obligations under the FLSA,” reads the complaint, suggesting a deliberate avoidance of legal responsibilities on the part of TQL and its management.
Moreover, Atkins points out that this is not an isolated incident; similar allegations have been made against TQL in past lawsuits. She references previous cases where federal judges and even the U.S. Department of Labor determined that employees with roles akin to hers were indeed non-exempt from overtime pay requirements.
Atkins is seeking several forms of relief from the court: unpaid overtime wages amounting to approximately $37,370.02, an equivalent sum in liquidated damages, prejudgment interest on unpaid wages, reasonable attorney’s fees and costs, along with any other legal or equitable relief deemed appropriate by the court.
Representing Andreanna S. Atkins are attorneys Louise N. Smith and William J. Smith from Smith Law LLC based in Dacula, Georgia. The case is being presided over by Judge MHC under Case ID 1:26-cv-00323-MHC.
Source: 126cv323_Andreanna_Atkins_v_Total_Quality_Complaint_Northern_District_of_Georgia..pdf
