Labor & Employment: Texas

THE FIRM The practice here has great coverage across the state, with offices in Austin, Dallas, Houston and San Antonio. It is noted for its excellent lawyers and first-rate labor and employment practice, which covers day-to-day counseling, litigation and litigation avoidance, arbitration, and regulatory compliance. Representative clients include Shell Oil, 3M and Baylor College of Medicine.

Sources say: "Fulbright has a great practice. It stands out for understanding our business needs."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Practice chair Brian Greig earns praise from peers, with one describing him as "Fulbright's best." He handles employment and traditional labor matters, and recently settled a potential class action race, national origin and retaliation case on favorable terms. His clients include CEMEX, National Western Life Insurance and Samsung Austin Semiconductor. Shauna Clark is praised for her excellent trial skills, with one source noting that "she is highly dynamic and, unlike some attorneys, is not scared to go to trial – if she thinks the case has a good shot she will not take the easy option of settlement." Clark is responsible for the firm's relationships with Shell Oil and ConocoPhillips. Carter Crow is "a very competent lawyer," according to sources, who "trust him to keep a good check on the juniors while still delegating well to keep costs down." He has recently acted for Luby in defense of a collective action filed under the FLSA involving more than a thousand plaintiffs. San Antonio-based Philip Pfeiffer is a notable labor and employment attorney, who has a focus on mediation in civil rights matters. His clients include Frost Bank, The Trust Company and Valero Energy Corporation.

THE FIRM This team spans offices in Houston and Dallas, and comprises lawyers based in the distinct practice areas of labor and employment, and employee benefits and executive compensation. It has experience in sectors such as retail, financial services, energy and transportation, and is able to offer clients assistance in employment litigation, wage and hour advice and litigation, ERISA litigation, and traditional labor issues, among other things. Clients include American Airlines, Ericsson, Hewlett-Packard and Morgan Stanley.

Sources say: "The firm continues to strive for excellent client relations. It has a willingness to go the extra distance."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Ron Manthey cochairs the firm's noncompete and trade secrets practice, and has broad labor and employment expertise. He handles class action and other complex employment litigation for major clients, and recently resolved a class law suit for American Airlines concerning its health benefits plan. Nancy Patterson has a growing practice in Houston and is praised for her expertise in the healthcare industry. "She is a good attorney who has been very responsive to our needs and requests, and we are pleased with her litigation skills and the efficiency with which she works," said one source. Patterson recently worked alongside John Harper in representing Yellow Book in a jury trial victory in the Western District of Texas relating to claims of malicious prosecution. Senior figure Harper is described by sources as "very personable and cordial, but a pitbull when he needs to be." Ann Marie Painter has had a good year, representing a national wireless telecom company in an FLSA wage and hour collective action. She is acclaimed for her "great, practical and substantive employment advice."

THE FIRM Vinson & Elkins is viewed by major clients as a first choice for the defense of whistle-blower cases, ERISA litigation and OSHA litigation, and for employment issues arising out of business transactions. It is also relied upon for traditional labor work, such as collective bargaining, unfair competition and FLSA matters, particularly those involving class action claims. Representative clients include Shell, Chevron and Texas Employment Law Counsel.

Sources say: "The firm takes time to build a relationship. It also takes the extra time to know our business inside out."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Carl Jordan represents clients across a wide range of major and complex employment matters, including class and whistle-blower litigation. He is currently representing Hovensa, the largest employer in the US Virgin Islands, in a lawsuit brought by employees challenging the company's right to make agreement by employees to its arbitration program for employment-related claims a condition of eligibility for annual incentive bonuses. Douglas Hamel splits his time between Washington, DC and Houston. A respected trial lawyer, he is especially well known for discrimination class action defense, and has been involved for ten years in a case against Lufkin Industries alleging excessive subjectivity in decision-making. "He is very much interested in understanding the business, he communicates often, and he provides us with excellent service whenever we call him," said one source. Christopher Bacon works with Hamel on the Lufkin Industries case. His areas of expertise include civil rights and employment claims, immigration, and cases involving occupational health. "He's very satisfactory and very practical; he gives good advice and handles issues with professionalism." Practice head Thomas Wilson focuses on OSHA, employment litigation, and labor and employment issues relating to transactions. He has recently been involved in representing Bi-Lo in a matter where a pension plan claims Bi-Lo owes it $64 million caused by the withdrawal of another business from the plan. "He provides first-class expertise on a broad range of employment-related matters, and was pivotal in getting all of the employment documents negotiated, drafted and ready for execution."

THE FIRM Haynes and Boone climbs the rankings thanks to widespread recognition of its broad practice, deep resources, and wide experience. It is noted for defending large and complex employment discrimination matters, as well as FLSA and ERISA class actions. Offices in Richardson, San Antonio, Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth and Houston give it almost unrivalled reach across the state, and clients include the likes of Citigroup Global Markets, The Home Depot and AMR.

Sources say: "Incredible! Cost-effective, practical, and good at coming up with outside-the-box solutions where other law firms would give up."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Arthur Carter handles both traditional labor matters and employment-related litigation, and has recently worked with Dynegy providing advice and counsel on the labor laws governing collective bargaining. "He has knowledge and experience," said a source. William Strock is recognized for his authority and experience in the field. He has particular experience in defending discrimination claims.

THE FIRM This national labor and employment boutique has an impressive presence in Texas, with 46 attorneys spread across offices in Houston, Dallas, Austin and San Antonio. It services clients such as Continental Airlines, Blockbuster and Ericsson in a wide range of employment litigation, ERISA litigation, noncompetes, immigration matters, and traditional labor work and OSHA work.

Sources say: "We like using the firm as it has a presence in most places we have businesses, so it can get to know us and consequently do a better job."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Jeffrey Londa is managing partner of the Houston office, and experienced in representing public companies in class and collective actions. He has represented Metropolitan Transit Authority since it was created, and is "remarkably knowledgeable, quick-thinking, and to-the-point," said one source. Austin-based Michael Fox is credited for his vast amount of jury trial experience. He has recently been defending Allsup's Convenience Stores in a large lawsuit filed under the FLSA by approximately 1,200 individuals. Ron Chapman is noted for his proficiency in discrimination cases, and has recently acted for Blockbuster in a matter involving claims of racial discrimination.

THE FIRM This Dallas-based group handles a wide range of management-related concerns, including discrimination claims, ERISA litigation, class and collective action, labor relations, and day-to-day counseling and employee relations matters. Active clients include Allstate Insurance, Hyatt Hotels, McDonald's and UPS.

Sources say: "The firm is responsive, thoughtful in analysis, practical-minded, and conscious of expenditure."

KEY INDIVIDUALS John Jansonius is highly respected by market sources, who call him "an extremely bright expert in labor and employment matters and litigation strategy." He continues to work closely with UPS, and handled a recent case involving the ADA.

THE FIRM The team here has been dealing with an increasing number of collective and class actions involving wage and hour issues, discrimination and ERISA. It is also well known for its expertise in collective bargaining and other union-related work.

Sources say: "It gets things accomplished in a nonacademic, very proactive way, and is always working in our best interest."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Robert Sheeder focuses on litigation and counseling in areas such as discrimination, harassment, collective and class cases, union organizing, and wage and hour. "He is very bright, very intuitive, aggressive where he needs to be, but balanced with the other side," said one source. Tullos Wells handles labor and employment matters for Spurs Sports & Entertainment's practice and performance venues in San Antonio, Austin and elsewhere in Texas. He is praised for his "practical approach and ability to find the solutions and get things done in an expeditious manner." Amy Karff Halevy focuses on guiding business clients in the preparation and application of employment policies and procedures. She is "proactive, practical and strategic, while taking into account costs and our business culture." Jim Kizziar is an expert on the Disability Act and has become the firm's go-to guy on 'Obama-Care'. He is noted for being "very helpful at finding solutions."

THE FIRM The expansion of this firm's Texas team continues to bear fruit, with various sources commenting on the visibility of the practice, particularly in Dallas. The national firm – which also has offices in Austin and Houston – is perhaps best known for its work in multidistrict class action and mass litigation.

Sources say: "This group is responsive, competent and highly efficient – and the lawyers are not afraid to take cases to court!"

KEY INDIVIDUALS Holly Williamson is esteemed for her extensive experience in class and collective actions.

THE FIRM Kemp Smith has the leading labor and employment practice in El Paso, and a smaller practice in Austin. It offers a diverse range of services, including EEOC charges, OSHA issues, employee handbooks and arbitration agreements.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Charles High is "the king of labor and employment in El Paso," according to sources. He has written numerous articles on employment law and is a frequent speaker on labor and employment law issues. C B Burns is admired as "an impressively strong attorney." She has undertaken a lot of age discrimination and FMLA work of late.

THE FIRM This specialist labor and employment firm is one of the largest in the country, with 56 attorneys in Texas alone. Based across offices in Dallas and Houston, the team is able to provide assistance on the full range of issues affecting employers and management.

Sources say: "Its national footprint means it can provide us with resources anywhere we have operations."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Steven McCown is cited for his knowledge of the construction sector, and recently worked for Centex Homes in an attempted collective action alleging that Centex's field managers across the country were misclassified as exempt from the overtime requirements of the FLSA. He is noted for his "experience, relationships, superior knowledge and trial skill." Linda Headley is "a top-notch lawyer and an all-round great person." She specializes in FLSA collective actions and discrimination cases.

THE FIRM Baker Botts is a huge name in the Texas legal community. Its labor and employment team does not focus on routine counseling, but instead handles complex employment issues for the firm's major clients, which include the likes of ExxonMobil, PepsiCo and ChevronPhillips.

Sources say: "We like their availability, knowledge of the law, and team-oriented approach. The lawyers were always friendly and professional."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Practice chair Dennis Duffy focuses on all aspects of labor and employment law, including discrimination claims, unfair labor practices, wage and hour, OSHA claims, whistle-blowing complaints and wrongful discharge. He serves as lead counsel defending ExxonMobil in a major age discrimination lawsuit brought by the EEOC.

THE FIRM Gardere Wynne Sewell has a strong state presence, with offices in Houston, Austin and Dallas. On the labor and employment side, its operations center around Dallas, where the team assists clients with the full range of management-side issues.

Sources say: "This firm understands our business, monitors our costs closely, and acts like part of our team."

KEY INDIVIDUALS The highly experienced Ronald Gaswirth is currently defending a potential class action involving 3,500 plaintiffs alleging race and sex discrimination. "He has the most incredible legal mind – he's street smart, intuitive and knows where the trouble lies," said one source.  

THE FIRM This firm has a respected labor and employment practice in Texas, handling a variety of complex and class litigation. Clients include Ernst & Young, Chevron and Bank of America, for which the team acts in all employment cases brought in Texas.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Matthew Ray is the main contact in the Dallas Office, while Mark Temple heads up operations in Houston.

THE FIRM With offices in Austin, Dallas and Fort Worth, this firm is able to offer excellent coverage across the state. It has good experience in class action claims and other complex litigation, and in advising clients on how to avoid litigation.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Jaime Ramon has substantial experience in FLSA, wrongful discharge, and employment contract matters, among other things.

THE FIRM The team here covers all areas of labor and employment law, including single plaintiff and class action litigation, arbitration and mediation, and client counseling on litigation avoidance. Clients include Johnson & Johnson, Boy Scouts of America and Noble Energy.

Sources say: "The firm is rapid, precise and business-oriented, with great customer-service."

KEY INDIVIDUALS The "very cerebral" Stephen Fink has a broad-based practice incorporating trial and appellate work. He has recently handled numerous appeals for companies such as BNSF Railway Company.