Proper management of the workforce is essential for our clients’ success. Our attorneys recognize the importance of this and the importance of proactively working with our clients to effectively and efficiently manage their workforces. We represent employers in all aspects of the myriad of issues that confront management on a daily basis.

Our proactive employment attorneys counsel employers on all employment laws and regulations across the country, including Title VII, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN), and state employment  laws in all 50 states. They also help our clients effectively manage their workforces through drafting, implementation, negotiation and management of employment contracts and executive compensation agreements. Our attorneys are also regularly called upon to draft, revise, and advise employers about policies and handbooks to comply with the numerous federal, state, and local laws and regulations that govern the workplace.

When litigation cannot be avoided, our employment attorneys are skilled trial lawyers, and they defend our clients in a cost-effective manner. They develop an aggressive strategy to litigate each lawsuit and develop cost and risk determinations at each step of the litigation so that our clients can make the best decision for their business. Whether you are an employer defending a lawsuit filed by an employee or are suing an employer to protect your business’s interest, our seasoned trial attorneys work diligently to protect your business. 

Our attorneys have deep experience conducting and overseeing internal workplace investigations — including allegations of executive misconduct, harassment, discrimination, retaliation, and other compliance failures — as well as guiding employers through government audits and agency investigations, including FLSA compliance analysis, Department of Labor wage and hour audits, FLSA misclassification inquiries, and EEOC charges. We help clients respond strategically, minimize exposure, implement corrective measures, and build the internal processes and policies needed to reduce future risk.
 

We represent clients in a number of other employment-related areas that affect our clients’ businesses, including counseling our clients and defending them in litigation involving employee benefits, ERISA and related matters.

 

Specific areas of experience include:

• Defending against discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wrongful discharge and other employee claims
• Defending multi-party and class action employee claims
• Defending claims involving breach of employment-related contracts and benefit plans
•  Representing employers with unionized workforces in arbitration proceedings under collective bargaining agreements
•  Representing employers in drafting, negotiating and implementing effective executive compensation agreements
•  Representing employers in DOL audits and agency investigations, including wage and hour compliance reviews, FLSA misclassification analysis, EEOC charges, and OFCCP compliance reviews 
•  Designing and implementing personnel policies and procedures, employee training and arbitration programs
• Conducting and overseeing internal workplace investigations involving allegations of employee misconduct, executive wrongdoing, harassment, discrimination, whistleblower retaliation, and compliance failures — and advising on corrective action and remediation
•  Advising employers concerning disciplinary actions, terminations and reduction-in-force
• Counseling employers concerning equal employment opportunity planning and compliance
• Drafting, negotiating and enforcing confidentiality, non-competition, non-solicitation and severance agreements

Our Recognitions

• Our Labor & Employment Practice Group and two Partners are ranked in the Chambers USA 2026 legal directory
• Our Labor & Employment Practice is recognized in Best Lawyers’ 2026 “Best Law Firms” ranking
• Four attorneys are listed as 2026 Best Lawyers in America in the field of employment law
• One Partner is included in Lawdragon’s 2025 500 Leading U.S. Corporate Employment Lawyers
• One Partner is recognized as a 2025 Texas Super Lawyer (a Thomson Reuters company) in the field of employment litigation
•  Two attorneys are recognized as Texas Super Lawyer – Rising Stars in the field of employment litigation
• One attorney is Board Certified in Employment Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization

Crisis Readiness & Response

When an unexpected emergency or crisis arises in Texas and beyond, Gray Reed stands ready to assist in every way possible. Our Crisis Readiness & Response Team combines our experienced legal team with our seasoned strategic communications and government relations experts (GRPR) to spearhead uniquely tailored legal strategies and high-impact crisis communications methods. Gray Reed differentiates itself by not only mobilizing and deploying its full complement of services when a crisis arises, but also training and preparing clients before the worst occurs. Our goals are to reduce risk, preserve stakeholder trust, and minimize negative impacts to our clients’ reputations and brands before, during, and after a crisis.

Access to Resources and General Counsel Capabilities

As a full service firm, we are uniquely positioned to effectively represent and counsel clients beyond routine or the most complex labor and employment matters. When a client's need goes beyond the expertise or jurisdiction of an employment law attorney, our firm has a worldwide network of lawyers for international and cross-border issues and other Gray Reed attorneys who focus on areas such as banking & finance, energy, construction, healthcare, intellectual property, tax planning & litigation, real estate, government investigations & compliance, mergers & acquisitions, private equity, appellate and commercial litigation. These resources allow us to serve as outside general counsel for our clients and help solve nearly any issue they may face in the life cycle of their business. 

Our Purpose is You.

Your experience with our employment attorneys will be fully aligned with your goals and objectives and tailored specifically to how you want to do business with us. Our lawyers are adaptable and nimble – you will never be forced into a box that doesn’t fit your opportunity or problem, or your needs and desires. Whether we are your longtime advisors on employment-related issues or representing you in the courtroom, you’ll be comfortable with our skill and practical approach. We know exactly when to turn up the heat and when collaboration is the smartest way for you to achieve your goals.