Employment Practices Litigation

When employers are faced with claims by employees or governmental agencies, MHN's approach is to resolve them quickly and in the most cost-effective way. We have represented clients before federal and state agencies including the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) (discrimination charges), the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) (workplace safety issues), the Texas Commission on Human Rights (TCHR) (discrimination charges), and the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) (unemployment compensation and wage payment issues). The employment law arena, perhaps more than any other, features practical business concerns associated with the perception among remaining employees that their own situation may be effected by the outcome of a particular dispute. By creatively considering a resolution applicable to employees who may not have yet complained, MHN has been able to fashion resolutions which avoid the ever present concern of employers, namely, "What kind of a precedent will I be setting in I…"

We often represent employers in arbitration, and in trial in state and federal court. We have also defended employers against allegations of breach of contract and tort-based misconduct, including intentional infliction of emotional distress, fraud, invasion of privacy, defamation, and tortious interference with a contract.

Our practice is not limited to the handling of claims that have already been made. We also regularly advise clients on the proper workplace practices, drafting of employee policies and procedures manuals, enforceable employment contracts and enforceable covenants not to compete.

Our practice covers the full range of issues and regulations that affect employers today:

• Civil rights and other constitutional and statutory law issues
• Business Transactions
• Workplace safety
• Mandatory employee leaves of absence
• Privacy and confidentiality in the workplace
• Retaliatory discharge
• Sexual harassment
• Wrongful termination
• Employee Retirement Income Security Act(ERISA)
• Family and Medical Leave Act
• Americans with Disabilities Act
• Fair Labor Standards Act
• Breaches of employment contracts
• Covenants not to compete (noncompete clauses)
• Privacy and confidentiality in the workplace(drug testing, workplace searches etc.)
• Title VII of the Civil Rights Act
• Texas Commission on Human Rights Act

“Whether you're the victim of injustice at your job or an employer defending an EEOC claim or merely trying to prevent exposure through quality drafting of employee manuals or handbooks, you need attorneys with the experience to sidestep the land mines of litigation in the workplace.”