Red Roof Inns, Inc.; Red Roof Franchising, LLC; Sandra Wunderlich; And Stephanie Rzepka v. Jane Doe, as Parent and Next Friend of Jane Doe, a Minor; Sai Lodging, Inc., D/B/A Red Roof Inn; Batesville Lodging Group, Inc.; Rajendra Patel; Roshni Patel; John Does 1-4; And John Doe Entities 1-2

── Red Roof Inns, Inc.; Red Roof Franchising, LLC; Sandra Wunderlich; And Stephanie Rzepka v. Jane Doe, as Parent and Next Friend of Jane Doe, a Minor; Sai Lodging, Inc., D/B/A Red Roof Inn; Batesville Lodging Group, Inc.; Rajendra Patel; Roshni Patel; John Does 1-4; And John Doe Entities 1-2 ── Court: Supreme Court of Arkansas Date: March 12, 2026 Category: General Cite as 2026 Ark. 50 SUPREME COURT OF ARKANSAS No. CV-25-569 Opinion Delivered: March 12, 2026 RED ROOF INNS, INC.; RED ROOF FRANCHISING, LLC; SANDRA WUNDERLICH; AND STEPHANIE APPEAL FROM THE PULASKI RZEPKA COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT APPELLANTS [NO. 60CV-24-1541] V. HONORABLE TIMOTHY DAVIS FOX, JUDGE JANE DOE, AS PARENT AND NEXT FRIEND OF JANE DOE, A MINOR; SAI LODGING, INC., D/B/A RED REVERSED AND REMANDED. ROOF INN; BATESVILLE LODGING GROUP, INC.; RAJENDRA PATEL; AND ROSHNI PATEL; JOHN DOES 1–4; AND JOHN DOE ENTITIES 1–2 APPELLEES KAREN R. BAKER, Chief Justice Appellants Red Roof Inns, Inc., and Red Roof Franchising, LLC (“RRI”), filed this interlocutory appeal from the Pulaski County Circuit Court’s orders denying out-of-state attorneys’ pro hac vice petitions and subsequent motions for reconsideration. On appeal, RRI argues that the circuit court erred and abused its discretion in denying attorneys Stephanie A. Rzepka and Sandra J. Wunderlich pro hac vice admission. Appellees did not file a responsive brief. We reverse and remand for further proceedings consistent with this opinion. On February 21, 2024, appellee Jane Doe filed the underlying complaint in the Pulaski County Circuit Court alleging sex trafficking of a minor at a Red Roof Inn located in North Little Rock, Arkansas. On May 30, 2025, Jane Doe filed her second amended complaint adding Red Roof Inns, Inc., and Red Roof Franchising, LLC, as defendants. On July 11, RRI filed its answer and cross-claim, which was signed solely by Arkansas counsel Jane A. Kim of Wright, Lindsey & Jennings LLP. In addition, the pleading listed three out- of-state attorneys with the firm Tucker Ellis LLP, including Rzepka and Wunderlich. 1 The out-of-state attorneys did not sign the pleading and there is a notation after each name clearly stating “(motion for pro hac vice admission forthcoming).” On July 29, RRI filed pro hac vice petitions for Rzepka and Wunderlich. Attached to the petitions were the affidavits of the attorneys seeking admission, proofs of payment of the nonresident attorney fee, and affidavits of Arkansas counsel, Jane Kim. On August 6, the circuit court denied both petitions, reasoning that the nonresident attorneys “appeared on pleadings prior to filing the above petition to appear pro hac.” On August 15, RRI filed a motion for reconsideration along with briefing and an affidavit. RRI explained that, in 2023, RRI retained the law firm of Tucker Ellis LLP, and specifically, Wunderlich, to serve as national coordinating counsel in defense of sex- trafficking litigation filed in multiple jurisdictions.2 RRI stated that Wunderlich “developed a deep knowledge of [RRI], their corporate structure and history, their employees, potential witnesses, as well as sources of documents and information.” RRI explained that it utilized the national counsel role to maintain consistency and efficiency across the litigation based 1 Chelsea Mikula was one of the three out-of-state attorneys listed, but a petition for pro hac vice for Mikula has not been filed. 2 RRI noted that while not lead counsel, Rzepka is also an important part of the team representing RRI. 2 on counsel’s preexisting knowledge base. Tucker Ellis LLP, recognizing the need for local counsel to advise on the rules and procedures particular to Arkansas law, contacted Jane Kim to serve as local counsel. RRI explained that Kim is the only attorney of record for RRI and has been the signatory on all pleadings. Kim included Rzepka’s and Wund