Jacob A. "Jake" Lewis
Partner

I enjoy litigating labor and employment cases in federal and state court, where my strong written and oral communication skills have a big impact on the outcome. I can distill complex ideas and prepare a concise and persuasive argument that focuses the court’s attention on the real issues at stake in the case. In providing employment advice to my clients, I work diligently to understand their business and how their employees operate within the business to ensure that every aspect of applicable laws are considered and reflected in the advice I provide.

Jake Lewis focuses his practice on resolving a broad range of employment litigation matters, including defense of employers under Title VII, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Family Medical Leave Act, and state anti-discrimination laws. He has significant experience handling Department of Labor audits and related litigation involving misclassification of employees and payment of overtime and minimum wage. Jake also prosecutes and defends unfair competition disputes from preliminary injunctive relief through trial, typically involving non-compete agreements, non-disclosure agreements, and misappropriation of trade secrets.

In addition, Jake advises on best practices for maintaining regulatory compliance to help employers minimize litigation. He guides business owners and human resources professionals through a variety of workplace issues, primarily involving the hiring, firing, investigation, discipline, and compensation of employees. Jake also prepares employee handbooks, onboarding documents, non-compete and non-solicitation agreements, non-disclosure agreements, and severance agreements.

Jake earned his B.A. and M.A., both in political science, from The University of Texas at Dallas. He earned his J.D., cum laude, from Washington and Lee University School of Law. While in law school, Jake served as a staff writer for the Washington and Lee Law Review and senior articles editor for the German Law Journal. He also interned for the Honorable Harold R. DeMoss Jr. of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.

Representative Experience
  • Obtained summary judgment in federal court for medical practice against age and race discrimination claims brought by former employee.
  • Provided employment advice to industrial and environmental services provider in a $65 million acquisition of a competitor.
  • Obtained summary judgment in Texas state court on disability and sex discrimination claims brought by former employee of major software developer.
  • Obtained temporary restraining order and temporary injunction against former sales manager of large home remodeling company who solicited six of his former subordinate sales representatives to work for his new employer.
  • Successfully defended very large small-box retailer in federal court in multiple lawsuits across the country involving allegations of discrimination, violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act, and violations of the Family Medical Leave Act.
  • Obtained complete dismissal of defamation, discrimination, and breach of contract claims filed by former employee of major chemicals manufacturer and distributor.
  • Obtained temporary restraining order and temporary injunction against former Human Resources Manager of a large trailer manufacturer who stole and disclosed the company’s confidential information after termination.
  • Counseled clients and litigated cases in a range of employment matters including Title VII, ADEA, ADA, FMLA, and FLSA wage and hour claims and compliance.
  • Represented several companies facing Department of Labor audits regarding overtime and minimum-wage compliance.
Thought Leadership / News
Honors
  • Named a Rising Star by Texas Super Lawyers (a Thomson Reuters company) as published in Texas Monthly and Texas Super Lawyers magazines (2023)
  • Selected by his peers for inclusion in Woodward/White, Inc.'s The Best Lawyers in America "Ones to Watch" in the field of Labor & Employment Litigation (2021, 2023)
Organizational Involvement
  • American Bar Association
  • Dallas Bar Association
  • Dallas Association of Young Lawyers
  • Texas Young Lawyers Association
Education
  • J.D., cum laude, Washington and Lee University School of Law (2013)
  • M.A., Political Science, The University of Texas at Dallas (2009)
  • B.A., Political Science, The University of Texas at Dallas (2008)
Bar Admission
  • Texas
Court Admissions
  • United States District Court, Northern District of Texas
  • United States District Court, Southern District of Texas
  • United States District Court, Western District of Texas
  • United States District Court, Eastern District of Texas
  • District Court of Colorado
  • United States Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit
When I Feel Most At Home
  • Riding my bike around White Rock Lake
  • Pizza and movie night every Friday with my wife (Katherine) and kids (Zoey, Dexter, and Fiona)
  • Coaching my twins’ soccer team, the Magical Narwhals
  • Reading, particularly magical realist and postmodern fiction (favorites include Gabriel García Márquez, Milan Kundera, Italo Calvino, and Kurt Vonnegut)