Litigation Experience

• Led defense of midstream oil and gas company in multiple arbitrations involving departing employees accused of breaching restrictive covenants and misappropriating trade secrets; secured key testimony that drove a global resolution of related arbitrations, a federal action in Oklahoma, and a Delaware Chancery Court proceeding for $5 million.
• Participated in internal investigation of a national pilots’ union concerning allegations of nepotism and improper relationships, resulting in amendments to union bylaws, implementation of Consensual Relationship Agreements, and the preservation of the president elect’s position.
• Assisted in workplace investigation at a national advertising company into allegations of a hostile work environment, culminating in the termination of the company’s CEO.
• Conducted independent investigation for the City of Forest Hill, Texas, into allegations of sexual harassment, which did not substantiate the claims.
• Conducted independent investigation for the City of Midlothian, Texas, into allegations of sex discrimination, which did not substantiate the claims.
• Obtained summary judgment in the Southern District of Texas on a plaintiff’s race discrimination claims, facilitating a favorable settlement for the client.
• Managed Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) F 5 administrative appeal practice, ensuring officers with substantiated policy violations—including excessive force—received General or Dishonorable Discharges.
• Obtained summary judgment on claims for invasion of privacy, assault by threat of bodily injury, and intentional infliction of emotional distress, and secured a permanent injunction against a disgruntled former employee.
• Successfully defended a client in the Texas Business Court against a temporary restraining order and expedited discovery sought in connection with alleged trade secret misappropriation.
• Obtained a temporary restraining order enforcing restrictive covenants following the departure of a key chiropractor.
• Secured a $200,000 settlement on behalf of a wrongfully terminated employee asserting claims of sexual harassment and discrimination.
• Obtained release of physician from all post-employment restrictive covenants at summary judgment and obtained settlement for damages and attorneys’ fees.
• Obtained non-suit in Texas Theft Liability Act case seeking $250,000.00 in damages.
• Obtained non-suit in $1M breach of license suit following deposition of Plaintiff’s corporate representative.
• Obtained dismissal of suit and release from restrictive covenants following submission of a motion for summary judgment on claims of tortious interference with existing contract and knowing participation in breach of fiduciary duties.
• Secured Determination of No Reasonable Cause and dismissal in unfair housing practices investigation of apartment complex by HUD.
• Secured affirmation of trial court ruling in Yinzue Zhang v. The State of Texas, Dallas County Criminal Court of Appeals No. 1.

Corporate/Transactional Experience

• Develops customized policies and compliance programs to ensure businesses properly train their employees and avoid litigation pitfalls.
• Advises on the unique interactions between employment laws and government employment including:
  • The Texas Public Information Act;
  • Searches and seizures in a government workplace;
  • Nepotism;
  • Protecting employee’s constitutional rights in governmental employment;
  • Regulations regarding the compensation of government employees.
• Developed grievance and complaint review process for water district to ensure due process rights in internal employment investigations.
• Drafts employee handbooks and workplace policies for both public and private employers.
• Conducts investigations into claims of harassment, discrimination, and retaliation, and provides guidance to employers concerning the validity of the claims; potential liabilities therefrom; and any necessary changes to policies, procedures and practices.

• Dallas Bar Association

• Long-distance hiking and sleeping under the stars
• Traveling and sampling the local cuisine (even if it is a fried grasshopper or ant larvae omelette)
• Spending time with friends, family and my dog, Ruth the Schnoodle
• Baking new recipes especially those from Claire Saffitz' "Dessert Person"