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Meghaan C. Madriz Partner

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Houston T +1 832 255 6365 F fax +1 832 214 9935
Austin
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Meghaan Madriz advises employers of all sizes on their employment-related matters and zealously defends them against employee claims in court, arbitration, and administrative proceedings.

With experience representing employers before the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, federal district courts across the country, Texas state courts, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Department of Labor, and the Texas Workforce Commission, Meghaan has the experience and, more importantly, the passion to handle companies’ employment law needs.

While Meghaan represents employers in a variety of employment-related matters, she has developed a primary focus on wage and hour issues. Meghaan has handled Department of Labor investigations, internal wage and hour audits, and multiple wage and hour lawsuits (including class and collective actions). She is also certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in labor and employment law.

Meghaan frequently advises clients on wage and hour compliance issues regarding compensable time, regular rate calculations, employee classifications, and overtime compensation. Meghaan has obtained multiple victories in her wage and hour practice, including the decertification of a nationwide Fair Labor Standards Act collective action in an exempt misclassification case and summary judgment of off-the-clock claims.

In addition to her robust wage and hour practice, Meghaan regularly defends clients before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and in court for claims under Title VII, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Family Medical Leave Act, and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, among other federal employment statutes. Meghaan also represents companies in both the prosecution and defense of unfair competition claims, such as breach of non-compete and misappropriation of trade secret claims. Meghaan also advises and counsels employers on their employment and human resources matters, drafts employment, separation, and restrictive covenant agreements, provides due diligence for employment matters in corporate deals, and reviews employee handbooks and other workplace policies. With a keen awareness to developing employment law issues in today’s workplace, Meghaan strives to keep clients abreast of the law and to find ways to minimize liability.

Meghaan also places a strong emphasis on her pro bono docket, particularly cases presenting opportunities to help children and families in need.

Experience

Wage and Hour

  • Represented medical supply company in FLSA collective actions and obtained favorable class settlements.
  • Represented multinational internet service provider in FLSA collective action and obtained decertification of nationwide collective action and favorable settlements of subsequent splinter actions filed across U.S.
  • Represented oilfield services company in FLSA collective action and obtained favorable class settlement.
  • Represented hospital district in single plaintiff FLSA action and obtained summary judgment of off-the-clock-claims.
  • Represented restaurant group in FLSA misclassification case and obtained favorable settlement of plaintiff’s claims.
  • Represented restaurant chain in DOL investigation of wage and hour practices that resulted in a finding of no violations.
  • Conducted multiple internal audits of classification of exempt positions and compensation practices.

Employment Litigation

  • Obtained summary judgment for hospital of plaintiff’s Title VII and Section 1981 claims in case filed in the Southern District of Texas.
  • Obtained summary judgment for hospital district of plaintiff’s Title VII, ADA, and Section 1981 claims in case filed in the Southern District of Texas.
  • Obtained summary disposition for restaurant chain on age discrimination and retaliation claims in arbitration filed before JAMS.
  • Obtained summary judgment on multiple plaintiffs’ race and national origin discrimination claims under the TCHRA in case filed in Texas state court.
  • Obtained partial dismissal of Texas state law claims against franchisor in case filed in the Southern District of Texas by two former employees of a franchisee.

Administrative Charges

  • Obtained multiple no cause findings and dismissals from the EEOC, after conducting investigations of the charging party’s claims and submitting a position statement to the EEOC.
  • Successfully defended restaurant chain against a discrimination charge filed with the Office of Special Counsel for Immigration-Related Unfair Employment Practice.

Unfair Competition and Trade Secrets

  • Representation of a nondestructive testing and inspection provider in trade secret lawsuits in Texas and Oklahoma.
  • Prosecuted trade secret misappropriation claims against three former employees and new employer in four separate legal actions, coordinating national legal strategy against competitor.
  • Obtained temporary injunction in Texas state court for former employer against seven former employees for violating their non-competition agreements and for misappropriating confidential information and trade secrets.
  • Obtained multiple temporary restraining orders in Texas state court for former employers in cases involving theft of trade secrets and confidential information and violation of restrictive covenants.
  • Defended unfair competition claims brought by a former employer against a former employee and his new employers resulting in a favorable settlement for client.
  • Assist employers in drafting employment, non-competition, non-solicitation, and non-disclosure agreements.
  • Advise employers on hiring potential employees with restrictive covenants.

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