Recently, the Supreme Court of Texas heard oral arguments in an interesting case regarding the outer limits of the attorney-client privilege with respect to a workers’ compensation insurance carrier attorney’s communications with its insured. The communications at issue were made between the carriers and the insured/employer during the administrative proceeding before the Texas Workers’ Compensation Commission over
Fifth Circuit Recognizes Hostile Work Environment Claim Under Age Discrimination in Employment Act
This week the Fifth Circuit held that a cause of action exists for hostile work environment under the ADEA –the first such express holding in the Circuit. In Dediol v. Best Chevrolet, the plaintiff filed a hostile work environment and constructive discharge claim against the employer.
During the brief two months of employment, Dediol
Court Enters Judgment Against Police Officers on Overtime Suit Against City
In a recent case out of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas, a federal judge entered summary judgment for the City of Fort Worth in an FLSA overtime case filed by four former police officers.
In Clark v. City of Fort Worth, Texas, four retired City of Fort Worth police officers filed a FLSA putative collective action seeking to
Fifth Circuit Holds Title VII Damage Caps Apply “Per Party” Not “Per Claim”
In an issue of first impression in the Fifth Circuit, the U.S. Court of Appeals holds that Title VII’s damages cap apply on a "per party" basis rather than on "per claim." In Black v. Pan American, the Plaintiff, Carleen Black, prevailed on her Title VII and TCHRA claims of sex discrimination and
El Paso Court of Appeals Recognizes Private Right of Action for Retaliation for Assisted Living Facility Employees
In an issue of first impression, the El Paso Court of Appeals has held that the Assisted Living Facility Licensing Act creates a private right of action for an employee who has filed a complaint, grievance of providing information in good faith relating to personal care services of the assisted living facility.
In Emeritus Corp. v.
Wal-Mart v. Dukes Not Evidence of High Court Pro-Business Slant
I keep reading reports that Wal-Mart v. Dukes, where the Court reversed a class certification including 1.5 million women (who worked all over the U.S. under different supervisors at different stores) that was based on the company giving supervisors too much discretion, 125 anecdotal stories and an expert report employing dubious social framework analysis, demonstrates that the Court has
BREAKING NEWS: Texas Supreme Court Issues Opinion Enforcing Non-Compete Supported by Stock Options and Goodwill
The Texas Supreme Court has issued an opinion this morning holding that noncompetition agreements supported by stock options and good will are not unenforceable as a matter of law. I previewed this case here. As I have time to digest the majority, concurring and dissenting opinions, I’ll provide more thoughts on this case. You
Fifth Circuit Holds Loss of Consortium Damages Unavailable To Spouse of Successful Title VII Plaintiff
The Fifth Circuit held today that a spouse of a successful Title VII plaintiff cannot maintain a legal claim for loss of consortium (i.e., loss of spousal services) under state and federal law. In Barker, Tracey Barker was a civilian worker employed by Halliburton (aka KBR). She claimed she was subjected to sexual harassment, retaliation and
Dallas Court of Appeals Rejects Wrongful Termination Claim for Voting in Election
Earlier this week the Dallas Court of Appeals rejected an employee’s attempt to create a new wrongful termination cause of action. In Martin v. Clinical Pathology Lab., Joyce Martin sued her employer for terminating her employment after she requested time off to vote in the November 2008 General Election. According to her petition, Martin
Texas Supreme Court Holds that Arbitration Agreements Governed by State Law May Include Avenues for Appellate Review
I have written some of the disadvantages of arbitration over other procedural methods of resolving cases such as waivers of jury trial. (See post and post). However, in an opinion from the Supreme Court of Texas, one disadvantage of arbitration (i.e., the limited appellate review of arbitration awards that is available) can be minimized