Mike Abcarian is managing partner of the firm's Dallas office. For over 30 years he has represented Fortune 500 corporations, units of local government, and local business interests in labor and employment matters.

He has handled hundreds of lawsuits in federal and state courts with an exceptional success record, including lead counsel defense of complex litigation and nationwide class actions.

Many of Mike's successful cases resulted in defense verdicts for employer clients following trial by jury. Mike also handles complex workplace safety matters, including fatality investigations, and has represented employers in high-visibility proceedings before the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

He has handled significant compensation compliance matters--some involving thousands of employees--in proceedings before the Wage & Hour Division of the U. S. Department of Labor (USDOL). Mike also appears frequently before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) defending employers in discrimination matters. 

He also represents employers before the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) in union representation proceedings and unfair labor practice proceedings, and in arbitration of labor disputes and labor contract negotiations.

Throughout his career, Mike has been a sought-after speaker and a prolific author on labor and employment law issues.

He is "AV" Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell for preeminent skill and ethics, and he has been listed in Texas Super Lawyers every year since 2004. Mike has also been listed in Best Lawyers in America since 2012 and was listed in Chambers USA since 2016.

In 2018, Mike was inducted as a Fellow into The College of Labor and Employment Lawyers. Election as a Fellow is the highest recognition by an attorney's colleagues of sustained outstanding performance in the profession, exemplifying integrity, dedication and excellence. 

Reported Cases

• Lazer Spot, Inc. v. Hiring Partners, Inc., 387 S.W.3d 40 (Tex. App. Texarkana, 2012)
• Valcho v. Dallas County Hospital District, 658 F.Supp.2d 802 (N.D. Tex. 2009)
• Valcho v. Dallas County Hospital District, 574 F.Supp.2d 618 (N.D. Tex. 2008)
• Hirst v. Southeast Airlines, 25 IER Cas. 1221 (U.S. Dept. of Labor, 2007)
• Farone v. Bag'n Baggage, 165 S.W.3d 795 (Tex.App. 2005)
• Ray v. Glidden Co., 85 F.3d 227 (5th Cir. 1996)
• Swearingen v. Owens-Corning Fiberglas Corp., 968 F.2d 559 (5th Cir. 1992)

Representative Work

Honors & Awards

• Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America (2013 – 2021)
• Inducted as a Fellow into The College of Labor and Employment Lawyers (2018)
• Chambers USA (2016-present)
• Texas Super Lawyers (2005-present)

Professional Activities

• Board Certified in Labor and Employment Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization
• Member, American Bar Association, Labor and Employment Law Section
• Member, State Bar of Texas, Labor and Employment Law Section
• Fellow of the American Bar Foundation

News

Seminars & Speaking Engagements

• Violence in the Workplace: Preventing and Managing the Risks
  2.3.15
• Pitfalls in Pre-Employment Inquiries
  10.21.13
• Systemic Discrimination – Are You Playing Fair With Your Employment Policies
  7.17.13
• Post-Election Hang Over? An Employer’s Guide to Managing the Next Wave of Regulations
  4.12.13
• Conducting Investigations of Sexual Harassment Complaints
  4.2.13
• Squeaky Clean Investigations and Terminations
  10.15.12
• “BYOD Policy: What is It and Why You Might Need One?” Podcast by Employee Benefit News
  9.17.12
• America's Safest Companies Conference – Chicago, IL
  9.12.12
• Packing Heat ... And Keeping the Peace
  11.30.11
• The Changing NLRB and its Effect on Non-Union and Union Employers
  4.28.11
• Sure-Fire Strategies for Improving Workplace Safety
  4.12.11

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