Robert S. Nichols
Partner
Sandi Sprawls
713.223.2300 x2872
Robert S. Nichols represents employers in litigation, administrative actions and arbitrations concerning discrimination and retaliation, harassment, wrongful discharge, occupational safety and health, union-management relations, wage and hour matters, and other concerns related to employment. Mr. Nichols has defended more than 200 employment-related lawsuits in federal and state court, represented employers in more than 300 federal and state agency employment discrimination investigations, and handled numerous Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) cases, including seven OSHA fatality investigations.
Mr. Nichols provides day-to-day legal advice to employers with respect to all aspects of the employment relationship. Mr. Nichols has practiced labor and employment law for 18 years and has been board certified in labor and employment law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization for 13 years.
Mr. Nichols has worked with clients including American Electric Power, Levi Strauss & Co., Valero Energy Corporation, Texas Gas Transmission, Gulf South Pipeline Company, Golden Corral Restaurants and CHRISTUS Health Systems.
Representative Matters
Defended more than 200 employment-related lawsuits in federal and state court.
Represented employers in more than 300 federal and state agency employment discrimination investigations.
Handled numerous OSHA cases including seven OSHA fatality investigations.
Coordinated health and safety workplace audits working with safety engineers and consultants.
Represented employers in employment arbitration cases involving various issues.
Represented employers on a number of occasions in appeals to the Fifth Circuit and state appellate courts with a 100 percent success rate.
Advised numerous employers with respect to employment policy issues, discipline, discharge, safety, health, wage, discrimination and retaliation matters.
Publications and Speeches
"Monitoring Lawful Drug Use at Work – Recent Developments," The Texas Labor Letter, January 1998.
"Courts Divided Over Whether Infertility is a ‘Disability’," San Antonio Business Journal, January 9, 1998.
"HIV/AIDS Creating Legal Predicaments for Employers," San Antonio Business Journal, November 28, 1997.
"Handling Health Benefits During FMLA Leave Not a Simple Task," San Antonio Business Journal, October 10, 1997.
"Rule 26: The Framework for the Pre-Trial Process in Federal Court," Basic Federal Practice Seminar, February 28, 1997.
"Overview of Workers’ Compensation Retaliation," Advanced Civil Trial Course, State Bar of Texas, 1994.
"Investigation of Sexual Harassment Complaints and Evaluation and Imposition of Fair Remedies," Southwestern Legal Foundation, 1993.
Education
J.D., Baylor University School of Law, 1987
B.A., with distinction, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1984
Bar Admissions
Texas
Court Admissions
U.S. District Court for the Northern, Southern, Eastern and Western Districts of Texas
U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit
Board Certifications
- Texas Board of Legal Specialization, Labor and Employment Law
Noteworthy
Texas Super Lawyer, Labor and Employment Law, 2004