Employment Law Challenges for Paralegals and Associates: From Emerging Trends to Handling Discrimination and Retaliation Claims

Taylor E. White | Winstead PC

Taylor White partners with senior business leaders, HR professionals, corporate counsel, and decision-makers on employment decisions and litigation. He is a devoted resource and advocate for employers and managers facing workplace issues in the courts and conference rooms.

Taylor regularly advises employers on day-to-day issues, including requirements and best practices regarding discrimination, harassment, and retaliation claims under state and federal employment laws, and he often counsels clients on a myriad of litigation avoidance strategies. As a litigator, Taylor is a zealous advocate on behalf of his clients for claims of wage and hour violations; discrimination, harassment, and retaliation issues; breaches of employment agreements; breaches of covenants not to compete and not to solicit; misappropriation of trade secrets; breaches of fiduciary duty and other employment-related torts; and other state and federal law issues stemming from workplace disputes.

He has represented clients across the full spectrum of litigation, including dispute resolution and pre-litigation planning, temporary restraining orders and temporary injunction proceedings, hearings on discovery and dispositive motions, and trials and appeals.

Taylor further assists employers as they navigate government audits and investigations, including proceedings brought by employees before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and their state-level counterparts. Taylor recognizes that such proceedings require a great deal of commitment and attention, easing his clients’ burden with his professional and personable communication style and stalwart commitment to achieving their desired results.

Taylor is also experienced in representing executives on an individual basis in their negotiations for employment, separation agreements, severance, and retirement packages, as well as employers dealing with similar issues.

Taylor is a contributing writer for Winstead’s Employer Law Resource blog.

Alanna M. Maza | Winstead PC

Alanna Maza is a member of Winstead’s Business Litigation and Labor & Employment Practice Groups. She has experience assisting clients in employment litigation matters in both federal and state courts. She regularly advises employers on requirements and best practices regarding discrimination, harassment, and retaliation claims under state and federal employment laws. She has maintained a diverse practice and has litigation experience in matters involving high-value personal injury, commercial disputes, creditor’s rights, copyright disputes, wrongful death actions, and claims brought pursuant to the Texas DRAM Shop Act.

Alanna’s employment experience includes employment-related torts; wage and hour violations and collective actions; trade secrets misappropriation; restrictive covenant breaches; discrimination, harassment, and retaliation issues; and other state and federal law issues stemming from workplace disputes. She assists employers in navigating government audits and investigations, including proceedings brought by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Occupational Safety and Health, Administration, and their state level counterparts. Alanna is passionate about representing her clients and she communicates effectively with clients to achieve the best outcome.

I. Case law trends related to harassment, discrimination, and retaliation claims| 1:00pm – 1:30pm

II. Updates from the NLRB, EEOC, and other government agencies | 1:30pm – 2:00pm

Break | 2:00pm – 2:10pm

III. Executive orders and priorities of a new presidential administration | 2:10 pm – 2:40 pm

IV. Strategies for employment-related documentation and defense against employment claims| 2:40pm – 3:10pm