Austin Employment Lawyers

An employment attorney in Austin or the surrounding areas can help advocate for the rights of employees in disputes with employers. Some of these cases involve alleged wage and hour violations, such as a failure to pay overtime or the minimum wage. Other employment lawsuits focus on claims of employment discrimination, sexual harassment, retaliation, or family or medical leave. If a business terminates your employment for a reason that isn’t legally allowed, you might have a wrongful termination claim against them.

These are just some examples of conflicts that can come up in the workplace. The laws in this area often have many nuances. You should strongly consider working with an Austin employment lawyer if you think that you might need to take legal action.

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Austin P. Campbell
PREMIUM
Austin P. Campbell
Employment Lawyer Serving Austin, TX
Skilled Texas Employment Law Attorney! Dedicated to Protecting Employee Rights!
I am a knowledgeable and determined employment lawyer. I am committed to delivering the best possible outcomes for employees who have been wronged in the workplace! Visit my website for results, call for a consultation. Read More »
Justin Manchester
PREMIUM
Justin Manchester
Employment Lawyer Serving Austin, TX
Austin, TX Employment Law Lawyer with 16 years of experience
Mr. Manchester has represented hundreds of clients in resolving a wide range of employment disputes, including claims for discrimination, retaliation, unpaid wages, overtime violations, non-compete agreements, and... Read More »
Robert J. Wiley
PREMIUM
Robert J. Wiley
Employment Lawyer Serving Austin, TX
Experienced & Dedicated Employment Law Attorney! Advocacy for Texas Employees!
I aggressively advocate for employees who have been wronged in the workplace. I will work diligently for the best possible outcome! Visit my website to see case results and information or call for a consultation. Read More »
Kalandra N. Wheeler
PREMIUM
Kalandra N. Wheeler
Employment Lawyer Serving Austin, TX
Texas Employment Law Attorney with 19 years of experience
Kalandra N. Wheeler is a trial lawyer with Wiley Wheeler, P.C. representing employees in Houston, and surrounding areas. Ms. Wheeler is dedicated to protecting the rights of employees and helping individuals understand... Read More »
Andrew Rhoden
Claimed Lawyer ProfileOffers Video ConferencingSocial Media
Andrew Rhoden
(972) 236-5051 111 Congress Ave.
Suite 500
Austin, TX 78701
Free ConsultationOffers Video ConferencingVideo ConfAustin, TX Employment Law Attorney
Employment, Business, Entertainment & Sports and Estate Planning
American University Washington College of Law and Georgetown University Law Center
Andrew serves as a consultant for a wide variety of business sectors, from start-ups to Fortune 500 companies implementing procedures to safeguard them against litigation. He is a certified Association of Title IX Administrators (ATIXA) Level II Civil Rights Investigator and a certified Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Trainer. Andrew has developed training programs related to workplace harassment prevention; EEOC; COVID-19 safety; and diversity & inclusion. He served on a corporate transaction team that made national news in 2021 for finalizing the acquisition of a $2.3 billion all-cash transaction in Texas. Due to the passing of family members in Andrew's life, he...
Robert J. Wiley
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Robert J. Wiley
Austin, TX Employment Law Attorney with 25 years of experience
(512) 271-5527 1101 San Jacinto Blvd.
Ste. 401
Austin, TX 78701
Employment
Tulane University School of Law
Robert J. Wiley is dedicated to advocating for employees in Employment Law disputes across the State of Texas. Rob represents clients before administrative agencies in addition to state and federal courts. Recognized for his experience, knowledge and skill, Rob is a Board Certified Specialist in Labor and Employment Law.

Rob received his B.S. from Vanderbilt University, and earned his J.D. from Tulane University School of Law. He has been honored as a Texas Super Lawyer and Rising Star since 2012.
Michael Fallings
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Michael Fallings
Austin, TX Employment Law Attorney with 11 years of experience
(888) 897-6905 3420 Executive Center Drive
Suite 160
Austin, TX 78731
Offers Video ConferencingVideo ConfEmployment
American University Washington College of Law
As a Managing Partner working in Tully Rinckey PLLC’s Austin office, Mike focuses his practice on federal sector labor and employment law. Mike has extensive experience litigating cases on behalf of employees at the U.S. Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB), Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), and in both state and federal courts. He also has experience negotiating settlement agreements on behalf of federal employees. Throughout his legal career, Mike has defended and taken numerous depositions of both parties and witnesses and prepared successful oppositions to summary judgment motions. Prior to joining Tully Rinckey PLLC, Mike practiced as an associate attorney with...
Karl William Seelbach
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Karl William Seelbach
Austin, TX Employment Law Attorney with 18 years of experience
(512) 960-4890 13215 Bee Cave Parkway
Suite A220
Austin, TX 78738
Employment, Business and Personal Injury
South Texas College of Law
Karl Seelbach is a LegalTech founder and seasoned litigation attorney with over 17 years of experience in the courtroom, representing clients in personal injury, business, and employment litigation. He is a skilled advocate and a tenacious fighter who handles cases with precision and an eye towards trial from day one. His adversaries describe him as "skilled" and "whip smart." But Karl's legal expertise doesn't stop there - he's also the founder of Skribe.ai, a software platform for capturing testimony that's changing the game for attorneys and their clients. Prior to launching his own law firm in 2015, Karl worked as a...
Charles Marcellus Vethan
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Charles Marcellus Vethan
Austin, TX Employment Law Attorney with 30 years of experience
(512) 236-8888 106 E 6th St Ste 950
Austin, TX 78701
Employment, Business, IP and Trademarks
Southern Methodist University
Texas business attorney, Charles M.R. Vethan, earned his Doctor of Jurisprudence at Southern Methodist University School of Law in Dallas, Texas, and a Bachelor of Science from the University of Alberta, Canada. Mr. Vethan served as an editor for The International Lawyer, as well as authored articles on international letters of credit, the role of insurance defense counsel in complex litigation matters, and Implied Licenses in Copyrights. He also presented courses through the National Business Institute to attorneys and CPAs on corporate structure and governance. Mr. Vethan is one of less than 20 attorneys practicing in Texas who are...
Nicole M. Conger
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Nicole M. Conger
Austin, TX Employment Law Attorney with 13 years of experience
(512) 413-4260 6000 Shepherd Mountain Cove
Ste. 213
Austin, TX 78730
Free ConsultationEmployment
St. Mary's University School of Law
Nicole M. Conger is an Employee Rights Attorney who represents clients across Texas who are subjected to illegal treatment with their current or former employers. Nicole received her law degree Magna Cum Laude from St. Mary’s University School of Law in 2011 where she was an Associate Editor for the St. Mary’s Law Journal, member of the Board of Advocates, as well as, clerking for the Honorable Emilio M. Garza on the United States Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit.

Nicole’s practice focuses on labor disputes against large and small companies in various Texas and Federal jurisdictions. She has successfully represented...
Daniel B. Ross
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Daniel B. Ross
Austin, TX Employment Law Attorney with 31 years of experience
(800) 634-8042 1104 San Antonio St
Austin, TX 78701
Free ConsultationEmployment and Personal Injury
Daniel B. Ross Austin, Texas phone (512) 474-7677 fax (512) 474-5306 Daniel B. Ross was born in Harvey, Illinois, in 1956 and grew up in Longview, Texas. He graduated from the University of Texas with a B.A. in the Plan II Honors Program with High Honors in May 1978. Upon graduation, he operated several successful businesses in Austin, Texas. After his career as an entrepreneur, Mr. Ross attended the University of Texas School of Law, from which he received his Juris Doctor in 1994. Mr. Ross was Associate Editor of the Texas Law Review, and was a...
Justin Manchester
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Justin Manchester
Austin, TX Employment Law Lawyer with 16 years of experience
(512) 593-5989 111 Congress Ave.
#500
Austin, TX 78701
Employment
Baylor Law School
Mr. Manchester has represented hundreds of clients in resolving a wide range of employment disputes, including claims for discrimination, retaliation, unpaid wages, overtime violations, non-compete agreements, and employment contract disputes. In the courtroom, Mr. Manchester has tried multiple cases to juries and judges, receiving favorable verdicts for his clients. Mr. Manchester has also acted as counsel to businesses regarding employment practices in an attempt to ensure his clients follow the law and limit their legal liabilities.

Mr. Manchester is well recognized in the employment field. In fact, Mr. Manchester was selected as a Rising Star in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, and...
James Michael Richardson
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James Michael Richardson
Austin, TX Employment Law Lawyer with 43 years of experience
(512) 940-1176 1607 Nueces Street
Austin, TX 78701
Free ConsultationEmployment, Legal Malpractice and Probate
University of Tulsa College of Law
Thank you for considering our firm for your legal needs. I have decades of experience in handling significant lawsuits for businesses and individuals, including high-stakes disputes regarding extremely important contracts, real estate holdings, trusts, and probate matters. My experience also includes handling cases involving intentional fraud and breach of fiduciary duty. I have also successfully tried or settled numerous significant disputes over construction defects and contractor performance. Many of my clients have prosecuted affirmative claims, while other clients have requested help in defending against claims brought against them. My practice began with an international law firm in Houston where I...
Tamara R. Crawford
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Tamara R. Crawford
Austin, TX Employment Law Attorney with 11 years of experience
(713) 580-8900 9442 N Capital of Texas Hwy #500
Austin, TX 78759
Employment, Arbitration & Mediation, Business and Insurance Defense
St. Mary's University School of Law
Ms. Crawford represents clients in a variety of commercial and business related matters and litigation. Her primary focus is on first party insurance litigation.

Prior to joining Doyen Sebesta & Poelma, LLLP, Ms. Crawford practiced in the Houston area and gained valuable experience by conducting depositions, successfully resolving cases through mediations, and arguing at the district and county level in contested hearings involving commercial litigation matters. Ms. Crawford successfully first chaired her first trial in the Harris County Civil District Court, gaining a favorable judgment after two days of trial.

Ms. Crawford earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Government from The...
Michael Fallings
PREMIUM
Michael Fallings
Employment Lawyer Serving Austin, TX
Experienced & Dedicated Employment Law Attorney. Call for a consultation!
I have extensive experience litigating cases on behalf of employees at the U.S. Merit Systems Protection Board, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, & negotiating settlement agreements on behalf of federal employees. Read More »
Cameron Hansen
PREMIUM
Cameron Hansen
Employment Lawyer Serving Austin, TX
Austin, TX Employment Law Attorney
University of Minnesota Law SchoolMinnesota
Kristen Kalani Hawks
Claimed Lawyer ProfileOffers Video ConferencingSocial MediaResponsive Law
Kristen Kalani Hawks
(512) 675-2945 2500 W. William Cannon,
Ste 205B
Austin, TX 78745
Offers Video ConferencingVideo ConfAustin, TX Employment Law Lawyer with 15 years of experience
Employment and Immigration
The University of Texas School of Law
Kalani Hawks Villafranca practices U.S. immigration law because she believes everyone deserves to feel like they belong in their home and with their families. She loves helping her clients live the life they want to live, wherever they want to live, with the people who matter most to them.

Abogada Kalani has over a decade of experience as an attorney and for several years was the managing attorney for the Texas Here to Stay/Texas No Nos Vamos coalition. She helped bring free legal clinics to communities throughout Texas and provided guidance to thousands of immigrants seeking to renew their DACA...
Cameron Hansen
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Cameron Hansen
Austin, TX Employment Law Attorney
(512) 271-5527 1011 San Jacinto Blvd
#401
Austin, TX 78701
Employment
University of Minnesota Law School
Joseph Caputo
Claimed Lawyer ProfileSocial Media
Joseph Caputo
Austin, TX Employment Law Attorney with 13 years of experience
(512) 246-2224 8834 N. Capital of Texas Hwy.
Suite 304
Austin, TX 78759
Free ConsultationEmployment, Consumer and Personal Injury
St. Mary's University School of Law
A partner at Zinda Law Group, he focuses his practice on cases involving catastrophic personal injury, wrongful death, automobile and trucking accidents, premises liability, product injury, and more.

This tenacious litigator not only possesses a deep commitment to the law but also genuinely cares for his clients, striving to help them become whole again, both physically and financially. Over the years, he has helped many accident victims get their lives back on track after suffering an injury. He counts among his favorite aspects of his job building relationships with his clients, and he has garnered their respect and admiration by showing...
Mr. Kell Simon
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Mr. Kell Simon
Austin, TX Employment Law Attorney with 27 years of experience
(512) 898-9662 902 East Fifth Street
Suite 207
Austin, TX 78702
Free ConsultationEmployment
New York University School of Law
Kell Simon has been practicing in the area of employment law since 1997, exclusively representing employees. In 2007 Mr. Simon moved to Austin, and in July 2014 Mr. Simon opened the Law Offices of Kell A. Simon. Mr. Simon's practice has spanned the full spectrum of employment law, from race, sex, age, national origin, and disability discrimination cases, to sexual harassment, whistleblower, Family and Medical Leave, and minimum wage and overtime cases. Mr. Simon has served as class counsel in several complex, long running class actions brought under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and...
Philip Robert Brinson
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Philip Robert Brinson
Austin, TX Employment Law Attorney with 31 years of experience
(713) 562-6037 816 Congress Avenue
Suite 1510
Austin, TX 78701
Employment, Energy, Entertainment & Sports and Insurance Defense
South Texas College Of Law
Philip Robert Brinson is an experienced trial lawyer who possesses unique skills derived from experience outside of the legal fields that have made him not only a trusted advocate for his clients, but also a formidable adversary in the courtroom. Mr. Brinson has extensive legal experience in a variety of practice areas, including hospitality and dram shop, entertainment, premises liability, products liability, professional liability, employment, oil field services, and business and commercial litigation. Mr. Brinson has litigation experience on both sides of the docket in handling infringement actions in copyright and trademark actions in the entertainment and hospitality industries, including...
Alfonso Kennard Jr.
Claimed Lawyer ProfileSocial Media
Alfonso Kennard Jr.
Austin, TX Employment Law Attorney with 22 years of experience
(713) 903-7452 108 Wild Basin Rd. South,
Suite 250
Austin, TX 78746
Employment and Civil Rights
Notre Dame Law School
Alfonso Kennard, Jr., is a nationally recognized attorney and trial lawyer. He is also the founding Shareholder of Kennard Law P.C. Alfonso is Board Certified in Labor and Employment Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Prior to establishing Kennard Law P.C, Alfonso spent nearly a decade in large national law firms representing employers. He started Kennard Law P.C to help employees take on their employers for various types of wrongdoing. Mr. Kennard earned his Business Degree in Marketing from the University of Notre Dame. While at Notre Dame, Alfonso served as the President of the Class of 1999....
Kaushik Rambhotla
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Kaushik Rambhotla
Austin, TX Employment Law Lawyer with 13 years of experience
(512) 888-1899 4000 Medical Parkway
Suite 207
Austin, TX 78756
Free ConsultationEmployment, Criminal and DWI
St. Thomas University School of Law
Cassandra D. Santos
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Cassandra D. Santos
Austin, TX Employment Law Attorney
(512) 881-7500 6836 Austin Center Blvd #100
Austin, TX 78731
Employment and Business
St. Mary's University School of Law
Allison Huebert
Claimed Lawyer ProfileSocial Media
Allison Huebert
Austin, TX Employment Law Lawyer with 12 years of experience
300 W. 6th St.
Austin, TX 78701
Employment, Business, Insurance Claims and Securities
University of Virginia School of Law and The University of Chicago Law School
My practice focuses on complex commercial litigation and arbitration. I represent clients in high-stakes, high-dollar disputes involving breach of contract, employment law, restrictive covenants, trade secrets, insurance coverage, securities disputes, class actions, and whistleblower claims. I have represented both plaintiffs and defendants before state and federal courts, and in domestic and international arbitration proceedings.
Russell Scott Cook
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Russell Scott Cook
Austin, TX Employment Law Lawyer with 21 years of experience
(512) 482-9556 919 Congress Avenue
Suite 1145
Austin, TX 78701
Employment
The University of Texas School of Law
Scott Cook represents employees in a variety of employment disputes with their employers. Scott Cook is Board Certified in Labor & Employment Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and has dedicated his career to extensive knowledge and practice in the area of employment law. His law firm, the Cook Law Firm, also focuses primarily on the representation of employees in employment law cases, ranging from disputes regarding unpaid overtime to discrimination to retaliation (and a long list of other matters). Dedicated to obtaining justice and fairness in the workplace, the Cook Law Firm continues to...
Thomas Brockland
PREMIUM
Thomas Brockland
Employment Lawyer Serving Austin, TX
Austin, TX Employment Law Lawyer
Emory University School of LawTexas
Cassandra D. Santos
PREMIUM
Cassandra D. Santos
Employment Lawyer Serving Austin, TX
Austin, TX Employment Law Attorney
St. Mary's University School of LawNew Mexico and Texas
Stefany A. Tewell, Hon.
Claimed Lawyer ProfileSocial Media
Stefany A. Tewell, Hon.
Austin, TX Employment Law Attorney with 29 years of experience
(713) 580-8900 9442 N Capital of Texas Hwy
#500
Austin, TX 78759
Employment, Business, Construction and Insurance Defense
California Western School of Law
Thomas Brockland
Claimed Lawyer ProfileLII GoldSocial Media
Thomas Brockland
Austin, TX Employment Law Lawyer
(512) 271-5527 1011 San Jacinto Blvd #401
Austin, TX 78701
Employment and Arbitration & Mediation
Emory University School of Law
Natalie Nicole Niles Arguello
Claimed Lawyer Profile
Natalie Nicole Niles Arguello
Austin, TX Employment Law Attorney with 23 years of experience
(512) 441-1411 919 Congress Avenue; Suite 1150
Austin, TX 78701
Employment, Arbitration & Mediation, Business and Construction
University of Texas - Austin
James Monroe Scurlock
Claimed Lawyer ProfileOffers Video ConferencingSocial Media
James Monroe Scurlock
Austin, TX Employment Law Attorney with 13 years of experience
(512) 522-4957 3800 North Lamar
Ste 200
Austin, TX 78756
Free ConsultationOffers Video ConferencingVideo ConfEmployment
University of Arkansas - Little Rock
I practice in all the state and federal courts of both Tennessee and Arkansas. I also practice in the Eastern District of Texas as well as before the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit. I have also been associated to practice in the federal courts of Mississippi. During the course of my working life, I have negotiated more than $250 million in contracted business by building partnerships that have benefited my employers as well as my clients producing positive results from these partnerships in a time when opportunities for such success were limited. ...
Skyler Wynne Stephens
Claimed Lawyer Profile
Skyler Wynne Stephens
Austin, TX Employment Law Lawyer with 18 years of experience
(512) 328-9999 1406 Camp Craft Rd.
Ste. 100
Austin, TX 78746
Free ConsultationEmployment, Business, Personal Injury and Products Liability
Jack Quentin Nichols
Claimed Lawyer ProfileSocial Media
Jack Quentin Nichols
Austin, TX Employment Law Lawyer
(512) 595-1269 901 S. Mopac Expressway
Barton Oaks Plaza One, Suite 300
Austin, TX 78746
Employment, Bankruptcy, Business and Real Estate
Western New England University School of Law
Jack Quentin Nichols is an Austin business lawyer providing business attorney services on small business legal services, business formations, employment, business disputes and litigation. Get legal advice for your business in Austin TX.
Susan Morrison
Claimed Lawyer Profile
Susan Morrison
Austin, TX Employment Law Lawyer with 41 years of experience
(512) 478-1616 919 Congress Ave. Suite 900
Austin, TX 78701
Employment, Arbitration & Mediation, Civil Rights and Education
Susan Morrison is a dedicated employment attorney who has represented both employers and corporate officers in litigation, mediation and arbitration. She provides general counsel advice to business owners, schools, and community colleges across the State of Texas. Susan also investigates employee wrongdoing and provides expert testimony in court.
Rand Zumwalt
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Rand Zumwalt
Austin, TX Employment Law Lawyer with 18 years of experience
(512) 777-4313 4408 Spicewood Springs Rd.
Ste 306
Austin, TX 78759
Free ConsultationEmployment, Bankruptcy, Business and Construction
St. Mary's University School of Law
Rand is the principal attorney at Zumwalt Law Group. After heading the bankruptcy and general counsel departments of two medium-sized Texas law firms, Rand decided to open his own law firm, merging the best aspects of both firms with his own strong personal ethics and creative legal mindset. Through Zumwalt Law Group, Rand strives to elevate personal service while taking care of foundational legal issues in a client-focused professional manner. Rand's areas of practice include business litigation, contract law, mergers & acquisitions, copyright and tax law, and legal issues relating to startups and nonprofit formation. Helping Austin startups...
Andrew Neal
Claimed Lawyer Profile
Andrew Neal
Austin, TX Employment Law Lawyer
(512) 651-7000 248 Addie Roy Rd
#B-302
Austin, TX 78746
Employment, Appeals and Business
Loyola University New Orleans College of Law
Alysia G. Wightman
Claimed Lawyer Profile
Alysia G. Wightman
Austin, TX Employment Law Lawyer with 33 years of experience
(512) 651-7000 248 Addie Roy Rd
#B-302
Austin, TX 78746
Employment, Appeals, Business and Insurance Defense
The University of Texas School of Law
Jennifer Ward
Claimed Lawyer ProfileSocial Media
Jennifer Ward
Austin, TX Employment Law Attorney with 15 years of experience
(512) 344-9367 2499 S. Capital of TX Hwy
Suite B-203
Austin, TX 78746
Employment and Business
Jennifer Ward is Principal Attorney at Law Office of Jennifer D. Ward in Austin, Texas. Her practice focuses on employment law and general counsel services for individuals, small businesses, and non-profits. She handles a range of legal issues from business formation to workplace disputes. She is licensed to practice in the State of Texas, the State of California, the U.S. Western District of Texas, the U.S. Southern District of Texas, the U.S. Eastern District of California, and the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. She also represents clients in administrative proceedings. She enjoys giving presentations, and her most recent speaking engagement...
Jonathan Sandstrom Hill
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Jonathan Sandstrom Hill
Austin, TX Employment Law Lawyer with 14 years of experience
(512) 474-7677 1104 San Antonio St.
Austin, TX 78701
Employment
The George Washington University Law School
Jonathan J. Sandstrom Hill joined the Ross Law Group in February 2011 after practicing as a plaintiff-side employment lawyer in Washington, D.C. Mr. Sandstrom Hill was born on February 11, 1984 in Northampton, Massachusetts. He attended Boston College where he graduated from the College of Arts and Sciences Honors Program with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science. He received his Juris Doctorate from the Georgetown University Law Center where he was an Article and Notes Editor of the American Criminal Law Review. Mr. Sandstrom Hill has represented employees in a wide range of employment matters including wage and hour; sexual...
Paul Bailey Friener
Claimed Lawyer Profile
Paul Bailey Friener
Austin, TX Employment Law Lawyer with 9 years of experience
(512) 225-2800 3420 Executive Center Dr., Suite 160
Austin, TX 78731
Employment
Western Michigan University Cooley Law School
Paul Verberne
Claimed Lawyer Profile
Paul Verberne
Austin, TX Employment Law Lawyer with 34 years of experience
(713) 562-4876 9430 Research Blvd. IV-200
Austin, TX 78759
Employment, Business, IP and Tax
Lloyd Robles
Claimed Lawyer Profile
Lloyd Robles
Austin, TX Employment Law Lawyer with 40 years of experience
(512) 416-1208 5205 Airport Blvd
100
Austin, TX 78751
Employment, Business, Consumer and Personal Injury
The University of Texas School of Law
Joseph Uradnik
Claimed Lawyer Profile
Joseph Uradnik
(512) 322-2562 1500 San Jacinto Center
Austin, Texas, 78701
Employment, Antitrust, Appeals and IP
University of Florida Levin College of Law
Rick Harrison
Claimed Lawyer Profile
Rick Harrison
Austin, TX Employment Law Attorney with 56 years of experience
(512) 685-6402 100 Congress Ave
# 2200
Austin, TX 78701
Employment, Business, IP and Legal Malpractice
Sam Haddad
Claimed Lawyer Profile
Sam Haddad
Austin, TX Employment Law Attorney with 30 years of experience
(512) 478-0100 1501 West Avenue
Austin, TX 78701
Employment, Business, Communications and IP
Paul Kenton Browder
Claimed Lawyer Profile
Paul Kenton Browder
Austin, TX Employment Law Attorney with 38 years of experience
(512) 476-2622 901 S. Mopac
Building V, Suite 200
Austin, TX 78746
Employment, Business, Construction and Personal Injury
Charles Scalise
Claimed Lawyer ProfileSocial Media
Charles Scalise
Austin, TX Employment Law Attorney
(512) 474-7677 1104 San Antonio St.
Austin, TX 78701
Employment
Charles L. Scalise was born in Hampton, Iowa. Mr. Scalise received his undergraduate degree from Truman State University in 1985, and his juris doctorate from the University of Iowa College of Law in 1988. While attending the University of Iowa College of Law, he was published in the Iowa Law Review and later served as an Associate Manager Editor for that journal. Mr. Scalise practices civil litigation with an emphasis on employment law. In recent years he has dedicated his practice to representing employees with overtime and minimum wage claims, including collective and class actions, arising under the Fair Labor Standards...
Employment Laws in Austin

There’s no substitute for the insights of an attorney, who can analyze how the law applies to a specific situation. In the meantime, here’s a basic look at some key protections for employees working in the Austin area.


Wage Laws in Austin and Texas

One of the most common areas of friction between a business and an employee involves the payment of wages. Austin doesn’t provide its own minimum wage for private-sector employees, although special rules apply to city employees. The Texas Minimum Wage Act provides certain protections for employees who aren’t covered by the federal Fair Labor Standards Act. However, that federal law applies broadly to most workplaces. It sets the minimum wage at $7.25 per hour. Businesses where employees receive tips can pay them a lower minimum wage if the tips make up the difference, although a business still must pay at least $2.13 per hour no matter how much an employee gets in tips.

If an employee works more than 40 hours in a workweek, the overtime provision of the FLSA requires the employer to pay them 1.5 times their regular rate of pay for each hour worked above that limit. However, certain groups of employees are exempt from FLSA rules. These include executive, administrative, professional, and outside sales employees, as well as certain computer employees, among other exemptions. The Wage and Hour Division of the U.S. Department of Labor enforces this federal law.

Time that’s considered compensable under the FLSA includes some situations that might not be obvious. Here are some examples:

  • Time when the business requires the employee to remain on call at their workplace (and sometimes time when the employee is required to remain on call at home, depending on how much the employer restricts their activities)
  • Rest breaks of 20 minutes or less
  • Traveling as part of a day’s work (but not commuting between home and work)
  • Training programs related to the job

Meanwhile, the Texas Minimum Wage Act imposes the same $7.25/hour minimum wage that the FLSA requires. It allows employers to count tips and the value of meals and lodging toward their minimum wage obligations, within certain limitations. Businesses and their workers are free to negotiate a higher wage through collective bargaining. Like the FLSA, the state law exempts certain groups of employees. It doesn’t allow cities to enact ordinances with a different minimum wage for the private sector. The law is enforced by the Texas Workforce Commission.


Employment Discrimination Laws in Austin and Texas

Austin, Texas, and federal laws safeguard employees from discrimination based on certain protected traits. Some forms of discrimination include:

  • Firing an employee
  • Refusing to hire a job applicant
  • Demoting or refusing to promote an employee
  • Paying unequal amounts for similar work
  • Withholding benefits
  • Denying access to training programs
  • Issuing undesirable job assignments
  • Harassment that reaches a certain level
  • Failing to reasonably accommodate a disability, pregnancy, or religious practice

The Austin anti-discrimination ordinance generally applies to businesses with 15 or more employees, although a specific provision covering sexual harassment applies to employers of all sizes. It prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age (40 and older), protective hairstyle, reproductive health action, or disability. (A “protective hairstyle” generally means a hairstyle resulting from the characteristics of a hair texture or hairstyle associated with race, national origin, ethnicity, or culture, while “reproductive health action” includes getting services or counseling related to issues such as abortion, birth control, or family planning.) The Austin Office of Civil Rights enforces this law. You’ll need to file a charge with the Office within 180 days after the violation in most cases, or within 300 days if you’re claiming sexual harassment.

The Texas Commission on Human Rights Act is the main employment discrimination law at the state level. Protected traits under the TCHRA include race (including hair texture or protective hairstyle), color, disability, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, and age (40 and older). Like the Austin ordinance, it largely covers employers with at least 15 employees, with the same exception for sexual harassment. The same time periods for filing a complaint apply, including the special sexual harassment deadline. Your complaint would go to the Civil Rights Division of the Texas Workforce Commission.

Austin employees also may bring claims under federal anti-discrimination laws. For example, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 bars employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), and national origin. The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that the Title VII prohibition against sex discrimination also covers sexual orientation and gender identity discrimination. This law applies to businesses with 15 or more employees. Two other key laws are the Americans With Disabilities Act, which prohibits disability discrimination, and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, which protects employees who are 40 or older. The ADA applies to businesses with at least 15 employees, like Title VII, while the ADEA is a little more limited in that it covers businesses with 20 or more employees. You generally have 180 days to file a charge of employment discrimination with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission if you suspect a violation of a federal law, but this deadline extends to 300 days if a state agency enforces a state law that prohibits discrimination on the same basis.


Workplace Sexual Harassment in Texas

Sexual harassment can take physical, verbal, or written forms. There are two main types of sexual harassment claims. First, quid pro quo (“this for that”) sexual harassment happens when a supervisor or someone else with the authority to make job decisions demands that an employee engage in sexual conduct in exchange for a favorable employment action, or to avoid an adverse action. For example, if your manager says that you’ll get the job assignment that you wanted if you spend the night with him, this would be quid pro quo harassment.

Meanwhile, hostile work environment harassment may occur when the unwelcome conduct creates a job environment that would be intimidating, hostile, or offensive to a reasonable person in the employee’s shoes. It needs to be severe or pervasive, but it doesn’t need to be both. In other words, you could potentially bring a hostile work environment claim after a single severe incident, or after a sequence of smaller incidents that wouldn’t be enough individually to support a claim. Whether the “severe or pervasive” standard is met depends on the unique facts of a case.

Under federal law, an employer is generally liable for harassment by a supervisor, although there may be an affirmative defense in limited cases. (There’s no defense if the harassment resulted in an adverse employment action.) This would require showing that the employer tried to stop and fix the harassment, but the employee unreasonably failed to take advantage of these opportunities. Meanwhile, an employer may be liable for harassment by coworkers or non-employees, such as customers or clients, if it knew or should have known about the harassment but didn’t respond promptly and appropriately.

The Austin and Texas anti-discrimination laws have specific provisions on employer liability for sexual harassment that are essentially identical to each other. (As noted above, they apply to employers of all sizes.) These make an employer liable for sexual harassment if the employer or its agents or supervisors knew or should have known about the conduct but failed to take immediate and appropriate steps to fix the problem.


Family and Medical Leave Laws in Austin and Texas

An employer may need to take time off from work to address challenges involving their health or the health of a family member. Austin passed a paid sick leave ordinance several years ago, but courts blocked its enforcement, and the Texas Regulatory Consistency Act now bars cities and counties from adopting or enforcing these types of laws. The state also doesn’t have a law providing rights in these situations. This makes the federal Family and Medical Leave Act the main protection for Austin employees. Like the FLSA, it’s enforced by the Wage and Hour Division of the U.S. Department of Labor.

Under the FMLA, you generally can get up to 12 weeks of unpaid but job-protected leave in a 12-month period. However, this law applies only to certain types of employers and employees. Private-sector businesses are generally covered only if they have at least 50 employees, while an employee must have worked for the employer for at least 12 months and have worked for at least 1,250 hours during the 12-month period before taking FMLA leave. They also need to work in a location where the business has at least 50 employees within 75 miles.

Qualifying reasons for taking FMLA leave include a serious medical condition of the employee that prevents them from working, as well as caring for a spouse, child, or parent who has a similar type of concern. You can also use FMLA leave during the first year after your child was born, or after you adopted a child or took a foster child into your family. If you have a spouse, parent, or child in the U.S. armed forces, you may be able to take FMLA leave to address certain issues involving their active-duty service.

The FMLA also provides for “military caregiver leave,” which allows you to take up to 26 weeks in a 12-month period if you need to care for a qualifying family member in the military (or recently in the military) who is dealing with a covered serious injury or illness.

Some employers go beyond what the FMLA requires and provide their employees with rights to leave. If your employer doesn’t comply with its obligations under a contract, you could sue them for that violation even if a statute doesn’t protect you.


At-Will Employment and Wrongful Termination in Texas

Texas parallels most states in adopting a rule called “at-will employment.” This means that a business generally can terminate an employee for any reason, or for no particular reason. An employee has a similar right to quit without having a particular reason. At-will employment doesn’t apply universally, though. One of the main exceptions involves a violation of a local, state, or federal anti-discrimination law. You likely would have a wrongful termination claim if you got fired because you have a legally protected trait, or if you got fired in retaliation for filing a charge of discrimination or participating in an investigation of alleged discrimination.

The Texas Supreme Court has developed a doctrine called the “Sabine Pilot rule,” which prevents an employer from firing an employee because they refused to do something that could be punished as a crime. Other examples of situations in which the at-will employment rule doesn’t apply include firing an employee for taking legally protected leave or for pursuing workers’ compensation benefits.

A business and an employee also may limit potential grounds for termination in the employment contract. An employee could bring a wrongful termination lawsuit based on a breach of this contract if they get fired for a reason that’s not allowed. It’s best to get an attorney on your side if you’re considering this type of claim, since the law in this area is nuanced and hard to navigate on your own.


Workers’ Compensation in Texas

Unfortunately, accidents and illnesses often happen on the job. Employers in Texas generally don’t need to sign up for workers’ compensation coverage. If your employer doesn’t have workers’ comp, you can potentially sue them for damages in a personal injury lawsuit. If they have workers’ comp, you can’t sue them, although you can sue someone else who caused or contributed to your injuries, such as a manufacturer of defective equipment. This may help you get a broader range of compensation than what workers’ comp covers.

Workers’ comp provides benefits for job-related injuries and illnesses regardless of fault. You’ll need to report your injury to your employer within 30 days. Meanwhile, you have one year to file a claim after your injury. The Division of Workers’ Compensation in the Texas Department of Insurance oversees the workers’ comp system.

This will allow you to get reimbursed for reasonable and necessary medical care, as well as some of your lost wages due to the injury or illness. For example, you could get temporary income benefits if you miss some or all of your wages for more than seven days. Impairment income benefits cover an injury or illness that permanently affects your body as a whole, while an employee sometimes may get supplemental income benefits after their impairment income benefits end. Lifetime income benefits compensate an employee for certain injuries specified by the law. If an employee tragically loses their life in an accident on the job, their loved ones may be able to recover death benefits and burial benefits.


Unemployment Benefits in Texas

The Texas Workforce Commission provides unemployment benefits to many people who have been terminated through no fault of their own. (These benefits aren’t available to a former employee who lost their job due to misconduct or inadequate job performance.) An employee who quit also might be able to get unemployment benefits if their reason was strong enough. For example, leaving your job because of concerns about workplace hazards or your employer’s failure to pay you could entitle you to these benefits. Serious medical concerns involving the employee or their child also might qualify.

In 2025, Texas capped unemployment benefits at $591 per week, while providing for a $74 minimum weekly payment. Within that range, the specific amount that an employee receives will depend on their past wages. Benefits are available for up to 26 weeks in the 52-week benefit year. An employee must be able and available to work to continue receiving benefits. They must regularly search for work and register on a government website for that purpose.


Major Employers in Austin

A regional economic partnership called Opportunity Austin lists major employers in the Austin region. Entities employing 6,000 or more people include:

  • Amazon Fulfillment Centers
  • Apple
  • Applied Materials
  • Ascension Seton
  • Dell Technologies
  • H-E-B
  • IBM
  • Samsung Austin Semiconductor
  • St. David’s HealthCare Partnership
  • Tesla

Public employers with 6,000 or more employees include the federal government, the State of Texas, the City of Austin, the University of Texas, and school districts in Austin and Round Rock.


Austin Employment Law Resources

If you think that your employer might have violated your rights, you may want to reach out to the agency that enforces the applicable law. Here are some of the key agencies to know in this field:

  • U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division: enforces the federal Fair Labor Standards Act and the Family and Medical Leave Act
  • Texas Workforce Commission: enforces the Texas Minimum Wage Act
  • Austin Office of Civil Rights: enforces the city anti-discrimination ordinance
  • Texas Workforce Commission, Civil Rights Division: enforces the state anti-discrimination law
  • U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission: enforces most federal anti-discrimination laws

Questions and concerns about workers’ compensation can go to the Division of Workers’ Compensation in the Texas Department of Insurance. The Texas Workforce Commission manages the unemployment benefits program.


Employment Law Resources at Justia

Employees who want to know more about their workplace rights can consult the Employment Law Center in the Justia Legal Guides. This is just one of many free resources that we offer to help inform and empower ordinary people. If you want guidance tailored to a particular question or issue, you might want to post a question on our Justia Ask A Lawyer forum. Employment lawyers in the Austin area or elsewhere in Texas might share their thoughts, based on their training in the field and the cases that they’ve handled. (Note that Justia isn’t a law firm, and you don’t have an attorney-client relationship with a lawyer who responds to you on Justia Ask A Lawyer.)

If the situation warrants getting an attorney on your side, you can explore the listings in the Justia Lawyer Directory. These make it easy to compare your options, streamlining the process. However, you’ll want to think through this decision carefully because your choice of attorney could have a significant impact on the outcome of your case.


How an Austin Employment Lawyer Can Help

Workplace disputes can be daunting. They may affect not only your professional prospects but also your physical and emotional wellbeing. Although retaining legal counsel may appear to be an added cost that you don’t need to undertake, it usually proves worthwhile in the big picture.

Attorneys bring wide-ranging expertise that can meaningfully boost your prospects of a favorable outcome. They stay current on shifting laws and regulations, as well as rulings by courts and administrative adjudicatory entities. Sometimes a case can hinge on a small nuance in a law or how it’s interpreted. You might not spot this issue on your own.

Your lawyer also can compile evidence that demonstrates any violations of your rights and indicates the scope of the costs and other harm that you incurred. Many employment disputes are resolved through settlements, and they can make sure that an employer doesn’t take advantage of you during this process. An attorney also can advise you on whether to accept a settlement or continue pursuing your case, although the final decision is up to you. Should a hearing or trial be necessary, they will understand procedural requirements, develop a strategy for presenting your position, and give your case a layer of professional polish that could help persuade a judge or jury.


How to Find an Austin Employment Lawyer

It’s not always straightforward finding the best attorney for you. Even if you happen to get suggestions from friends or family, you’ll probably still do online research. Tools like the Justia Lawyer Directory can help compare the attorneys in Austin and narrow down options.

Since employment law spans a broad spectrum of issues, you’ll want to find an attorney who has handled cases like yours. For instance, if you’re pursuing unpaid overtime, you’ll want someone experienced in wage and hour cases. If you believe you were rejected for a position because of your religion, you should try to find a lawyer who has brought many employment discrimination claims.

You also should take the time to examine an attorney’s disciplinary record with the State Bar of Texas. While a minor lapse may not be enough to take an attorney out of your consideration by itself, multiple or severe violations should raise concerns. You don’t want to compromise your case by choosing an advocate who lacks competence or integrity.

Checking a firm’s website for case outcomes can reveal their proficiency and areas of focus. Reviews from previous clients might give you a sense of an attorney’s personality. Endorsements from their peers can suggest that they’re highly regarded in the legal field—a benefit in both negotiations and adversarial proceedings like hearings or trials.

Many employment lawyers offer an initial case evaluation for no charge. Make use of that opportunity to discuss your circumstances and see if you feel comfortable with the attorney. Ask yourself whether they seem knowledgeable and whether you relate well to them. Ultimately, you deserve representation from someone who genuinely cares about your concerns and treats you with respect and compassion.


FAQs
  1. How much does it cost to get an employment lawyer?

    An employment attorney may charge their fee on an hourly basis. Thus, it would reflect how much time they spend on your case. This could depend on factors such as how complex the case is and how strongly it’s contested. However, some employment lawyers charge contingency fees. This means that you don’t pay your attorney unless they get money for you. Their fee is a portion of the settlement or judgment in the case. If you just want an attorney to handle a simple, routine task, you might be able to get this done for a flat fee. It’s critical to understand the fee structure that an attorney uses before signing a representation agreement.

  2. What should I do if I suspect discrimination or harassment in my workplace?

    Most employers have internal procedures for reporting discrimination or harassment. You should make sure to familiarize yourself with your employer’s policy and go through the required steps as soon as you think that illegal conduct might be occurring. Keep records of what happened and your communications with your employer. If the issue isn’t resolved internally, you can file a charge of discrimination with a government agency that enforces an anti-discrimination law that applies to your workplace.

  3. Are employees entitled to severance pay in Texas?

    State law doesn’t require an employer to provide severance pay unless there’s a document like an employment contract or company policy that guarantees this right. Often, an employer offers severance pay in exchange for releasing any potential claims against the employer, such as allegations of discrimination or harassment. You should think carefully before signing a severance agreement if it comes with conditions.

  4. Can my employer discipline me for reporting discrimination if it turns out that they didn’t break the law?

    Your employer can’t retaliate against you for filing a complaint of discrimination as long as you filed it in good faith. It doesn’t matter whether they actually broke the law. (This doesn’t stop your employer from firing you for other reasons.) If an employee didn’t honestly believe that a violation occurred and just filed the complaint to interfere with a coworker or the employer, they’re not protected from retaliation.

  5. Can I record conversations with my employer or coworkers if I suspect unlawful behavior?

    Texas is a one-party consent state, so it’s generally legal to record a conversation if only one party to the conversation consents to it. (In other words, you can record a conversation in which you’re taking part without getting anyone else’s consent.) However, even though it’s legal, your employer might have policies about this issue. You might face discipline for violations. It’s probably best to talk with an attorney about how to gather evidence for a potential claim.

Employment Lawyers in Nearby CitiesEmployment Lawyers in Nearby Counties

Austin Employment Legal Aid & Pro Bono Services

Texas Veterans Commission
Austin, TX


Texas Rio Grande Legal Aid
(512) 374-2700
Austin, TX

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