GRETNA – A massage therapist is being sued by her former employer for allegedly stealing his client list, setting up a competing massage therapy studio nearby and successfully soliciting their business.
Bailey Institute LLC and Dudley R. Bailey filed suit against Brandi L. Windham and In Balance Muscular Therapy LLC in the 24th Judicial District Court on June 18.
The plaintiffs claim Bailey Institute is a licensed massage therapy studio and Bailey is its principal owner and licensed massage therapist. Windham allegedly worked for Bailey Institute as a massage therapist from 2006 until June 2014 during, a month after she refused to sign a non-compete agreement with her employer. The plaintiffs contend Windham registered In Balance Muscular Therapy LLC and an associated URL address as well as rented commercial property for the business at 611 Metairie Road in Metairie, which is two blocks away from Bailey Institute.
The plaintiffs assert they learned on June 18, 2014 that Windham had been systematically undercharging customers for which she was terminated. Bailey claims after Windham was fired after she allegedly solicited clients from Bailey Institute for her own company, In Balance Muscular Therapy. Bailey alleges that when Windham opened the competing studio his clientele dropped off and that many of the clients that left were Windham’s clients. The plaintiffs allege Windham improperly used a client list she took from Bailey Institute to persuade them to patronize In Balance Muscular Therapy.
The defendant is accused of violating Louisiana’s Unfair Trade Practice law and Consumer Protection Law.
An unspecified amount in damages is sought by the plaintiff.
The plaintiffs are represented by Andree T. Lilly of New Orleans.
The case has been assigned to Division B Judge Cornelius E. Regan.
Case no. 750-766.