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Joseph W. Gagnon

Regional Managing Partner


Houston

t:713.292.5613

f:713.292.0151

Email

Service Focus

  • Litigation and Trials
  • Employment Discrimination and Harassment
  • Counseling and Advice

Industry Focus

  • Automotive Dealership
  • Manufacturing
  • Energy
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Overview
Recent Experience
Credentials
Recognitions
Affiliations
Insights

Overview

Joe Gagnon is Regional Managing Partner in the firm's Houston office. He is an experienced trial attorney who defends employers in litigation and arbitration filed in every region of Texas. 

Joe's broad experience includes the defense 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 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.

Recent Experience

Experience

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

Credentials

Education

  • J.D., 1993, University of Texas School of Law
  • B.S., 1990, cum laude, Texas Christian University

Bar Admissions

  • Texas

Court Admissions

  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas
  • U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas
  • U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas
  • U.S. Supreme Court

Recognitions

  • Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America (2021 - 2025)
  • "AV" Peer Review rating with Martindale-Hubbell

Affiliations

Professional Activities

  • General Counsel, Board of Directors, HR Houston (2024 - present)
  • 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 sports coach
  • University of Texas Law Mentor

Insights

  • Insights

    09/01/23

    Workplace Law Update: 10 Essential Items on Your September To-Do List

    Alba V. Aviles, Brian Balonick, Steven M. Bernstein, Raeann Burgo, Kathleen McLeod Caminiti, Michael D. Carrouth, Charles S. Caulkins, Jessica D. Causgrove, Steven R. Cupp, Patrick M. Dalin, J. Micah Dickie, Joseph W. Gagnon, Lonnie D. Giamela, Marty Heller, Brett Holubeck, Wendy Hughes, Corina Johnson, Jennifer S. Kiesewetter, Emily N. Litzinger, Todd B. Logsdon, Todd A. Lyon, Eleanor F. Miller, George A. Reeves III, Deniz Uzel Reilly, J. Hagood Tighe, Travis Vance, Melanie L. Webber, Sheila M. Abron

    Read more 

  • Insights

    08/21/23

    10 Biggest Takeaways for Employers as Federal Appeals Court Expands Scope of Anti-Bias Law

    Steven R. Cupp, Joseph W. Gagnon

    Read more 

  • Insights

    04/03/23

    Manufacturing Employers Should Pay Attention to Severance Agreement Restrictions Despite Booming Times

    Joseph W. Gagnon

    Read more 

  • News

    02/02/21

    Partner Talks to the Houston Chronicle About COVID-Related Lawsuits in Texas

    Joseph W. Gagnon

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  • News

    08/20/20

    Fisher Phillips Attorneys Receive Top Honors in Best Lawyers in America©

    Michael V. Abcarian, Stephanie R. Alexander, William E. Altman, Christopher Alvarez, Joseph W. Ambash, Craig R. Annunziata, Davis C. Bae, Gregory D. Ballew, Kelsey E. Schiappacasse, Cheryl L. Behymer, Clarence M. Belnavis, Steven M. Bernstein, Suzanne K. Bogdan, D. Albert Brannen, Kathleen McLeod Caminiti, Jocelyn Campanaro, Christopher J. Capone, Michael D. Carrouth, Charles S. Caulkins, Lyle M. Chan, J. Randall Coffey, Theresa M. Connolly, Laurel K. Cornell, Steven R. Cupp, Kevin J. Dalton, J. Micah Dickie, Burton F. Dodd, David B. Dornak, Benjamin Dudek, Todd Alan Ewan, Daniel E. Farrington, Brian J. Finucane, Todd A. Fredrickson, Andrew Froman, Joseph W. Gagnon, Brian J. Gershengorn, Lauren G. Goetzl, Rosemary S. Gousman, Michael R. Greco, Paul Greco, Rick Grimaldi, Greg Grisham, Lori A. Guner, Raymond C. Haley III, Edward F. Harold, JonVieve D. Hill, Christopher C. Hoffman, James R. Holland II, Christine E. Howard, Clyde H. Jacob III, David S. Jones, Matthew R. Korn, Danielle Krauthamer Zobel, Edwina C. Kye, Arthur V. Lambert, Terry E. Lardakis, Aymara Ledezma, Courtney Leyes, Karl R. Lindegren, Steven M. Loewengart, Reyburn W. Lominack III, Nathan K. Low, Darin L. Mackender, Scott M. Mahoney, Jeffrey E. Mandel, C. F. W. Manning II, Howard A. Mavity, James J. McDonald Jr., Phillips L. McWilliams, Richard A. Millisor, Stephen C. Mitchell, Danielle Hultenius Moore, R. Henry Moore, Timothy J. Murphy, Gregory V. Murray, Warren L. Nelson, Steven M. Nobil, Daniel P. O'Brien, James Patrick, Jonathan P. Pearson, Regina A. Petty, Ann Margaret Pointer, James C. Polkinghorn, John M. Polson, Keith M. Pyburn Jr., Roger K. Quillen, Melody L. Rayl, Thomas Paul Rebel, Mark J. Ricciardi, Ashton M. Riley, Stephen J. Roppolo, Jeffrey A. Savarise, Susan M. Schaecher, Cheryl L. Schreck, David E. Schreiner, Stephen Scott, Timothy H. Scott, Joseph P. Shelton, Craig P. Siegenthaler, Jeffrey D. Smith, John W. Stapleton, Shanon R. Stevenson, Terri R. Stewart, Christopher P. Stief, Cathy M. Stutin, Douglas R. Sullenberger, James Sullivan, Martin F. Thompson, Megan Reese U'Sellis, Pavneet Singh Uppal, Teresa Valderrama, Joshua H. Viau, Timothy J. Weatherholt, Jeff Weintraub, Alexander A. Wheatley, Benton N. Wood, Robert Yonowitz, George D. Adams, Richard R. Meneghello, Hannah Sweiss, Robert M. Robenalt, Todd A. Lyon, Todd B. Logsdon, J. Hagood Tighe, Danielle S. Urban, Sheila M. Abron, Kristin R.B. White, Michelle I. Anderson

    Read more 

  • Publication

    08/17/20

    What Nonsubscriber Healthcare Providers Need to Know About the Litigation Risk Posed by Workplace Exposure to COVID-19

    Joseph W. Gagnon

    Read more 

  • Publication

    02/12/20

    Fifth Circuit Case Provides Guidance for Employers in the Healthcare Industry

    Joseph W. Gagnon

    Read more 

  • Publication

    12/03/19

    Houston Partner Recommends Four Steps for Investigating Anonymous Workplace Harassment

    Joseph W. Gagnon

    Read more 

  • Event

    11/01/18

    Letting Go and Looking Ahead: Best Practices for Employee Terminations

    Joseph W. Gagnon, A. Kevin Troutman

    Read more 

  • Event

    09/16/16

    From Start to Finish: Managing Employees Without Finishing at the Courthouse

    Joseph W. Gagnon, Stephen J. Roppolo, A. Kevin Troutman, Teresa Valderrama

    Read more 

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