Senior Associate AREAS OF PRACTICE Labor and Employment Commercial Litigation

BIOGRAPHY
Having practiced in Dallas and San Antonio during the past nine years, James Parker counsels and defends clients on various commercial litigation issues, including antitrust, commercial real estate, construction, and contract disputes. Representing enterprises of all sizes, Mr. Parker has successfully litigated numerous commercial disputes ranging in value from several thousand dollars to the tens of millions.

In addition to his commercial litigation practice, Mr. Parker counsels Texas employers on the full range of labor and employment issues.  In cases ranging in complexity from single-employee discrimination cases to collective actions under the overtime and minimum wage provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act, Mr. Parker has managed and guided dozens of employment cases from the opening demand to final resolution.  Specifically, Mr. Parker has managed and participated in cases brought under federal and state anti-discrimination laws, the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, the Texas Payday Act, and the Occupational Safety and Health Act, as well as cases involving common law causes of action such as breach of contract and fraud.

More important than his litigation experience, Mr. Parker works daily with clients to avoid potential lawsuits by developing employment policies and communicating those policies to employees through handbooks and training.  By auditing employment policies and making necessary changes, Mr. Parker’s clients have avoided costly litigation.  Nonetheless, when problems do arise, Mr. Parker is also available to investigate the employee’s complaints and counsel the employer to avoid litigation, or put the employer in a position to win should litigation be unavoidable.

In addition to his extensive employment experience, Mr. Parker has significant expertise in labor matters under the National Labor Relations Act and the Railway Labor Act.

Whether your company faces the threat of imminent litigation, or simply wants to review its policies to minimize the threat of litigation, Mr. Parker stands ready to assist.

Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas
Juris Doctor, cum laude (May 2000)

·         Computer Law Review and Technology Journal, Senior Articles Editor

The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
Bachelor of Arts in Government (May 1997)

Hilb, Rogal & Hamilton of Texas v. Scott Miles, et al., Cause No. 05-10841 in the District Court for the 95^th Judicial District, Dallas County, Texas.

·         Avoided injunction from being obtained by former employer seeking to enforce covenant not to compete.

J. Carlos Padron v. Trent Performance, LLC, et al., Cause No. 07-13494 in the District Court for the 101^st Judicial District, Dallas County, Texas.

·         Obtained judgment for client against multiple defendants in case arising out of contract dispute.

ADMITTED TO PRACTICE
State of Texas, November, 2000

PRESENTATIONS AND PUBLICATIONS
“Shark Bait: Dipping Your Toe Into The Tip Pool,” Restaurant Report, March-April, 2007.

All U.S. District Courts, Texas

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit

U.S. Court of Appeals, D.C. Circuit