EMPLOYMENT LAW

The Bennett Law Firm has extensive experience working with professionals to resolve employment law issues. All of the Firm’s attorneys and those associated as Of Counsel have published in professional journals, and the writing of appellate briefs is undertaken where appropriate. The Firm's trial attorneys are member of the Texas Trial Lawyers Association, the Association of Trial Lawyers of America, and various criminal defense lawyers organizations. These memberships allows the trial attorneys to stay current on recent litigation developments. The Bennett Trial Attorneys have participated in numerous civil and criminal trial advocacy courses to enhance their practice skills, and they have served as instructors in trial practice seminars.

know of no other firm in the Houston area engaged in class action employment discrimination.  With the change in civil rights legislation allowing for attorney fees and punitive damages, wrongful discharge and sexual harassment class action lawsuits have become attractive and lucrative.  The Shoney's race discrimination suit settled for $132.5 million and the State Farm General Insurance class action settled for $250 million.

I have two major class action lawsuits pending.  In Catalina Garcia, et al. v. Houston Northwest Medical Center, Federal Judge Kenneth Hoyt has certified a class of employees against the Houston Northwest Medical Center.  Prior to our firm's involvement, the EEOC had investigated and made a finding of discrimination.  The defendant appealed the certification to the Fifth Circuit.  The appeal was recently denied and initial settlement discussion resulted in a $950,000.00 settlement This case will involve several thousand members and should generate significant attorneys fees.

The second case is pending in Judge Katie Kennedy's court.  It is another race discrimination case but involves the Fort Worth company - Color Tile, Inc.  An extensive class certification hearing was held and we are awaiting the court's certification order which should be issued in the next 10 days. Although this was filed as a state class action, a national class action is possible and a class representative has been located in Florida.

Besides the two class actions, there are another 12 or so employment cases including one defense case.  These include age discrimination, sexual harassment, and ADA cases.  We have a history of successfully resolving many of these cases.

Questionnaires:

Wrongful Termination (PDF 84kb)

Sexual Discrimination  (PDF  97kb)

Racial Discrimination  (PDF 63kb)