Durham Nonprofit Ordered to Pay Unpaid Wages

A judge granted a default judgment to seven former employees of CJF America after the organization failed to appear.

Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Employment

Bold flat-color editorial illustration featuring a solid archway, evoking the institutional finality of a judicial decision. — A judge granted a default judgment against Durham nonprofit CJF America, requiring the organization to pay seven former employees for unpaid wages. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Seven former employees of the Durham-based nonprofit CJF America have won a lawsuit regarding missing pay. A judge issued a default judgment after the organization and its leadership failed to respond to legal proceedings.

Why it matters

The judgment provides a path for employees to recover their owed wages, out-of-pocket costs, and legal fees. It follows a prolonged dispute over the nonprofit's failure to compensate staff for work performed.

A court granted a default judgment to seven former workers, though records indicate a total of 12 employees were originally owed money by the nonprofit. The ruling covers all outstanding wages, out-of-pocket costs, and attorneys fees incurred.

The players

CJF America

This is a Durham-based nonprofit organization that was sued by former employees for failing to pay wages.

Chalmers, Adams, Backer & Kaufman

This law firm served as legal counsel for the seven plaintiffs in their successful wage dispute.

The details

The lawsuit, filed by plaintiffs residing in North Carolina, Georgia, and Virginia, centered on CJF America's refusal to pay for labor. The firm Chalmers, Adams, Backer & Kaufman represented the workers in the proceedings that concluded after the defendants did not appear in court.

The initial lawsuit against CJF America was filed in August 2025.
A judge granted the default judgment on September 30, 2026.

Macro View

This case reflects ongoing challenges in labor enforcement, mirroring historical cycles where organizations attempt to bypass payroll obligations. It follows patterns established by the Fair Labor Standards Act, which mandates consistent pay for work performed regardless of an entity's nonprofit status.

This judgment highlights the legal recourse available to workers who have not been compensated for their time and professional services. It underscores the importance of maintaining clear documentation of hours worked and payments missed when seeking to recover lost wages.

The takeaway

Workers facing similar wage disputes should seek legal counsel to navigate the complexities of filing claims against employers. Securing a judgment can be a critical step in recovering earnings when an entity refuses to respond to professional obligations.