Laura Alaniz is an experienced litigator and advisor focusing on representation of management in all aspects of labor and employment law matters. As a litigator, Laura utilizes her experience to provide guidance to her clients on how to avoid litigation and minimize their risk of claims. Laura is Board Certified in Labor and Employment by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.
Laura regularly represents employers and their leadership in all types of employment disputes including suits for wrongful termination, retaliation, harassment and discrimination, wage and hour disputes, disability accommodation, breach of contract, and suits for violation of state and federal statutes, such as the FLSA, FMLA, WARN, and the Texas workers’ compensation retaliation statute. She has successfully resolved hundreds of demand letters, EEOC charges of discrimination, and lawsuits alleging various forms of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and other employment claims.
On the counseling side, Laura’s practice focuses on compliance issues relating to employment law and prevention of claims including counseling clients regarding hiring and terminating employees, leaves of absence, layoffs, unemployment compensation, employment handbooks and policies, and conducting employee and management training. Her practice also includes drafting employment contracts, non-disclosure agreements, and anti-competition-hiring-solicitation agreements.
Honors & Recognitions
Best Lawyers in America, Employment Law – Management
Recognized as one of the "Top 50 Women Lawyers" in Houston by the Texas Diversity Council (2017)
Designation of Certified Litigation Management Professional: CLM Litigation Management Institute, hosted at Loyola University Chicago School of Law (October 2017)
Board Certified by Texas Board of Legal Specialization in Labor and Employment
Texas Monthly's Texas Rising Stars, 2008-2009
Practice Areas
Credentials
Education
J.D., Baylor University School of Law, 1996
B.S., The University of Texas at Austin, high honors, 1993
Harvard Law School Executive Education, Women's Leadership, 2020
Admissions
Texas
United States District Court, Northern, Southern, Western and Eastern Districts of Texas
United States Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit
United States Supreme Court
Experience
- Obtained a take nothing judgment on behalf of a road construction company in lawsuit involving allegations of sexual harassment, discrimination and retaliation
- Successfully obtained injunctive relief on behalf of financial services company against employee who was in violation of non-compete agreement
- Obtained summary judgment for an employer in a lawsuit alleging national origin discrimination, age discrimination and retaliation
- Obtained summary judgment for a large national retailer in a negligence and gross negligence lawsuit on basis that claims were barred by worker compensation statute
- Obtained summary judgment for trucking company in case alleging FMLA interference and FMLA retaliation claims
- Obtained summary judgment on behalf of plumbing company involving allegations of wrongful termination under Sabine Pilot
- Obtained summary judgment for legal aid organization in case involving racial discrimination
- Obtained summary judgment for employer in lawsuit involving claims of wrongful termination, slander and retaliation
- Obtained summary judgment for CPA firm in lawsuit where former employee alleged breach of contract and promissory estoppel
- Obtained summary judgment on defamation claim brought by former employee against former employer
- Represented various employers' in various litigation to enforce non-compete agreements
- Successfully represented and advocated for clients before various federal agencies, including EEOC, OSHA, NLRB, DOL, and many state agencies
- Defended produce company in wage and hour collective action
- Negotiated favorable settlements for a number of employers in lawsuits alleging breach of employment contracts, discrimination and harassment, wage and hour, intentional infliction of emotional distress, etc.
Newsroom
News
Media Mentions
Publications
Speaking Engagements
Affiliations
Texas Bar Foundation, Fellow
HR Houston, Member of the HR Ambassador Committee
BCC School of Music (Houston), Board of Directors