Interests Aligned—with employers and employees alike

Labor and employment law in the United States is highly complex and is founded on the notion of controversy—between employers and employees, between companies and unions, between regulators and businesses. Gruber Hurst Johansen Hail lawyers understand the complicated maze of rules and regulations that define the modern workplace. We regularly advise employees and employers on their rights and responsibilities, and represent them at trial, before mediators and arbitrators, and in administrative hearings.

Interests Aligned—in employer defense

We provide ongoing counsel to employer clients, helping them formulate proactive employment policies that minimize or eliminate workplace problems and counseling them on employee issues and threatened litigation. We defend employers against claims under the Americans With Disabilities Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, Family Medical Leave Act, and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. Our defense has also involved matters as diverse as claims for unemployment benefits, and federal class action litigation over alleged pay disparity. Our regular defense of employers also involves claims of sexual harassment and intentional infliction of emotional distress

Members of Gruber Hurst Johansen Hail have extensive experience with analysis and litigation of non-competition covenants in both state and federal court. Our work on behalf of employers includes cases involving claims against former employees for breach of non-compete, non-solicit agreements, confidentiality agreements and theft of trade secrets.

These are representative examples of the work we have done for employers who have aligned their interests with our lawyers:

• Defended large retail chain in age and FMLA claims.
• Defended large executive search firm in FLSA claims.
• Tried and defended large equipment seller in sexual harassment and intentional infliction claims.
• Defended large retailer in ADA suit.
• Defended food manufacturer in age, national origin and gender discrimination claims.
• Represented companies in negotiations and litigation involving former executives and other employees in employment contract and related disputes.
• Represented clients and tried numerous non-competition and non-solicitation matters and theft of trade secrets matters including important trade secrets case:  Hennessy v. TNT Motorsports. et al.
• Represented national product manufacturer in case against former CEO for breach of employment agreement and breach of fiduciary duty.
• Defends employers in trials involving claims of violations of state and federal disability discrimination statutes and common law in Federal and Texas state district court.
• Obtained summary judgments for employer defendants in lawsuits alleging violations of ADA, Title VII (race, sex, and religious discrimination), ADEA, and Texas common law.

Interests Aligned—in employee claims

We represent terminated executives regarding severance packages and claims for compensation, benefits and stock options. Our counsel to individual employees also includes representation in litigation asserting their rights to work for their new employers without being restrictively bound by a previous employer’s non-compete and non-disclosure agreements.

A number of our lawyers have also represented employee claimants who allege discrimination by their employers on the basis of race, sex, religion, age and other protected status.

These are representative examples of the work we have done for employees who have aligned their interests with our lawyers:

• Represented labor unions in various matters, including member representation for the Texas Municipal Police Association.
• Represented woman in trying age discrimination and intentional infliction matter that resulted in large jury verdict (on appeal).
• Represented employees related to employee stock option agreements.
• Represented terminated CEO in action for breach of severence agreement.
• Represented former executives and consultants on employment agreements and related employment and tort claims.

When employment disputes become court cases, deciding the right strategy can be critical—or plaintiffs and defendants. Gruber Hurst Johansen Hail litigators make those decisions with the best interests of our clients in mind. We combine aggressive action with in-depth knowledge of employment law, our experience is comprehensive, and our solutions always reflect our clients’ interests.