Meghaan C. Madriz

While Meghaan represents employers in a variety of employment-related matters, she has developed a primary focus on wage-and-hour issues. Meghaan has handled Department of Labor investigations, internal wage-and-hour audits, and multiple wage-and-hour lawsuits (including class and collective actions). She is also certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in labor and employment law.

Meghaan frequently advises clients on wage-and-hour compliance issues regarding compensable time, regular rate calculations, employee classifications, and overtime compensation. Meghaan has obtained multiple victories in her wage and hour work, including the decertification of a nationwide Fair Labor Standards Act collective action in an exempt misclassification case and summary judgment of off-the-clock claims.

In addition to her robust wage and hour experience, Meghaan regularly defends clients before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and in court for claims under Title VII, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Family Medical Leave Act, and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, among other federal employment statutes.

Meghaan also leverages her experience as an employment specialist to assist clients on private equity backed deals and other strategic M&A transactions, including handling employment-related due diligence, drafting employment agreements, restrictive covenant agreements, and other related documents, as well as assisting with post-closing workforce integration matters.

Meghaan also represents companies in both the prosecution and defense of unfair competition claims, such as breach of non-compete and misappropriation of trade secret claims. Meghaan also advises and counsels employers on their employment and human resources matters, drafts employment, separation, and restrictive covenant agreements, provides due diligence for employment matters in corporate deals, and reviews employee handbooks and other workplace policies. With a keen interest in developing employment law issues in today's workplace, Meghaan strives to keep clients abreast of the law and to find ways to minimize liability.

Meghaan also places a strong emphasis on her pro bono docket, particularly cases presenting opportunities to help children and families in need.

Employment Litigation

• Obtained summary judgment for hospital of plaintiff's Title VII and Section 1981 claims in case filed in the Southern District of Texas.
• Obtained summary judgment for hospital district of plaintiff's Title VII, ADA, and Section 1981 claims in case filed in the Southern District of Texas.
• Obtained summary disposition for restaurant chain on age discrimination and retaliation claims in arbitration filed before JAMS.
• Obtained summary judgment on multiple plaintiffs' race and national origin discrimination claims under the TCHRA in case filed in Texas state court.
• Obtained partial dismissal of Texas state law claims against franchisor in case filed in the Southern District of Texas by two former employees of a franchisee.

Administrative Charges

• Obtained multiple no cause findings and dismissals from the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), after conducting investigations of the charging party's claims and submitting a position statement to the EEOC.
• Successfully defended restaurant chain against a discrimination charge filed with the Office of Special Counsel for Immigration-Related Unfair Employment Practice.

Unfair Competition and Trade Secrets

• Representation of a nondestructive testing and inspection provider in trade secret lawsuits in Texas and Oklahoma.
• Prosecuted trade secret misappropriation claims against three former employees and new employer in four separate legal actions, coordinating national legal strategy against competitor.
• Obtained temporary injunction in Texas state court for former employer against seven former employees for violating their non-competition agreements and for misappropriating confidential information and trade secrets.
• Obtained multiple temporary restraining orders in Texas state court for former employers in cases involving theft of trade secrets and confidential information and violation of restrictive covenants.
• Defended unfair competition claims brought by a former employer against a former employee and his new employers, resulting in a favorable settlement for the client.
• Assist employers in drafting employment, non-competition, non-solicitation, and non-disclosure agreements.
• Advise employers on hiring potential employees with restrictive covenants.