Lacey L. Gourley
Partner
Lacey Gourley concentrates her practice on labor and employment law issues facing employers today, with a special emphasis on defending employers in state and federal court litigation.
Ms. Gourley advises clients in all areas of labor and employment law, including all federal and state anti-discrimination statutes, the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN), Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), Equal Pay Act, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Occupational Safety and Health Administration Act (OSHA), Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), and Older Workers' Benefits Protection Act (OWBP). Ms. Gourley frequently represents employers before administrative agencies and conducts supervisor training sessions.
Ms. Gourley has extensive first-chair employment law trial experience in state and federal courts. She has served as lead attorney in jury trials involving all categories of discrimination, sexual harassment, wrongful discharge, wage and hour, breach of employment contract, covenants not to compete, workers' compensation retaliation, whistleblower and various torts claims. Ms. Gourley has defended employers in numerous large-scale class actions. Her defense strategy is characterized as strategically proactive, the primary goal being to win the case before trial through aggressive discovery and motion practice.
Ms. Gourley's practice also includes traditional labor law, including representing employers before the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), in arbitrations, collective bargaining, union campaigns, and preparing union plans for federal contractors.
Publications and Speeches
Frequent speaker on employment law topics at seminars and conferences for trade associations, human resources professionals and employer groups.
“Use of Experts in Employment Law Cases”
“Preventing Sexual Harassment in the Workplace”
“The Americans with Disabilities Act: What It Really Means for Employers”
“Executive Employment Agreements”
“Tips to Prevent Employment Related Litigation”
Education
J.D., cum laude, Texas Tech University School of Law, 1984
B.A., summa cum laude, Southwest Texas State University, 1981
Bar Admissions
Texas
Court Admissions
U.S. Courts of Appeals for the 5th and Federal Circuits
U.S. District Court for the Northern, Southern, Eastern and Western Districts of Texas
Board Certifications
- Texas Board of Legal Specialization, Labor and Employment Law
Affiliations
State Bar of Texas. Labor and Employment Law and Litigation Sections
American Bar Association, Labor and Employment
Section Subcommittee on Arbitration/Mediation of Employment Disputes
Travis County Bar Association
Travis County Labor and Employment Law Forum