Joe Gagnon is a partner in the Houston office. He is an experienced trial attorney who represents employers in litigation and arbitration filed in every region of Texas.

Joe's broad experience includes the defense of a wide variety of discrimination and discharge claims brought under Title VII, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), and whistleblower statutes. He routinely defends state law claims including workers' comp retaliation, breach of contract, fraud, defamation, malicious prosecution, and assault.

Joe is unique among labor and employment attorneys, as he also represents several Texas-based non-subscribing employers against claims of negligence, and associated benefits claims filed under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA).

He frequently provides preventive services to reduce the likelihood of litigation, including general consultation, management and employee training, development of employment policies, and consultation regarding legislative current events and judicial trends.

Joe is a seasoned appellate advocate, having represented clients in original actions, interlocutory appeals, and appeals of final judgments in both state and federal courts.

Experience

• Litigation of various matters avoided with early engagement and dialogue, saving clients from incurring substantial litigation costs.

Reported Cases

• Thanedar v. Time Warner, Inc., 352 Fed. App'x 891 (5th Cir. 2009)
• Hart v. Comcast of Houston, 347 Fed. App'x 978 (5th Cir. 2009)

Representative Work

Honors & Awards

• "AV" Peer Review rating with Martindale-Hubbell
• Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America (2021)

Professional Activities

• Member, Houston Bar Association
• Member, Texas Association of Defense Counsel
• Member, State Bar of Texas – Labor and Employment Section
• Member, State Bar of Texas – Appellate Section

Community Activities

• Youth soccer coach
• University of Texas Law Mentor

News

Seminars & Speaking Engagements

• “It Takes Two to Tango: Partnering with HR to Avoid Costly Employment Claims” - Greater Houston Society for Healthcare Risk Management
  3.9.12
• “How Would This Look in Court?” – Dallas and Houston – Compli-sponsored symposium 
  6.13.12 -6.14.12

Articles

• "Avoiding Liability for Employee Issues in Dealership Acquisitions" 
  Dealers' Choice – Texas Auto Dealers Association 
  Fall 2010

Blog Posts

Newsletter Articles