Employment Attorney Austin TX

Practice Areas

Employment Law Cases We Handle in Austin

Employment law covers a range of situations from unfair treatment to clear legal violations. The difference matters — and the attorneys in our network know how to make that determination quickly. Need help finding the right attorney? Learn how our Austin attorney referral service connects you with the right employment lawyer for your specific situation.

Wrongful Termination

Texas is an at-will employment state — but at-will has exceptions. If your termination violates an employment contract, federal anti-discrimination law, or public policy, you may have a wrongful termination claim.

Wrongful Termination Attorneys

Workplace Discrimination

Federal and Texas law prohibit employment discrimination based on race, sex, age, disability, religion, national origin, and other protected characteristics. Claims must be filed with the EEOC before a lawsuit can proceed.

Workplace Discrimination Attorneys

Sexual Harassment

Sexual harassment in the workplace — including quid pro quo harassment and hostile work environment claims — violates Title VII and the Texas Labor Code. Documentation and timing matter significantly.

Sexual Harassment Attorneys

Retaliation

Employers cannot legally retaliate against employees who report discrimination, file EEOC complaints, take FMLA leave, or report workplace safety violations. Retaliation claims often accompany the underlying claim.

Retaliation Attorneys

Wage & Hour Disputes

Unpaid wages, improper tip pooling, misclassification of employees as independent contractors, and overtime violations are FLSA claims. Texas workers have federal and state remedies available.

Wage & Hour Disputes Attorneys

Overtime Claims

Most Texas employees are entitled to overtime pay at 1.5x their regular rate for hours over 40 per week under the FLSA. Misclassification as exempt is one of the most common employer violations.

Overtime Claims Attorneys

Non-Compete Agreements

Texas non-compete agreements must meet specific enforceability requirements — reasonable scope, geography, and duration. Many are overbroad and unenforceable. An attorney can evaluate yours.

Non-Compete Agreements Attorneys

Severance Review

Severance agreements typically include broad releases of legal claims. Before you sign, an employment attorney can evaluate whether the offer is fair and whether you're releasing more than you realize.

Severance Review Attorneys

Texas Employment Law

What Austin Workers Need to Know

At-will employment has real exceptions

Texas employers can fire for any reason or no reason — but not for an illegal reason. Termination based on race, sex, age, disability, or retaliation for protected activity is illegal regardless of the at-will doctrine. Many employees assume at-will means employers can do anything. They can't.

EEOC filing deadlines are strict

Most federal employment discrimination claims require filing a charge with the EEOC within 180 or 300 days of the discriminatory act. Missing that deadline typically bars the claim. If you believe you've been discriminated against, contact an employment attorney immediately.

Wage claims have their own timeline

FLSA wage claims have a two-year statute of limitations (three years for willful violations). Texas Payday Law complaints must be filed with the Texas Workforce Commission within 180 days of the date wages were due. Both clocks run without pause.

Austin’s tech sector creates specific issues

Austin's employer base — tech companies, startups, government contractors — creates specific employment law patterns: non-compete agreements with broad scopes, equity compensation disputes, independent contractor misclassification, and FMLA issues at growing companies without established HR. The attorneys in our network practice these patterns regularly.

Common Questions

Employment Law FAQs

Do I have a wrongful termination case if I was fired without a reason?

In Texas, being fired without a given reason is not by itself wrongful termination — at-will employment allows this. A wrongful termination claim exists when the firing violates a specific law (like anti-discrimination statutes), a written employment contract, or public policy. The question your attorney will ask is whether an illegal reason was the real reason, regardless of what the employer stated.

How long do I have to file a discrimination claim in Texas?

For claims under Title VII, the ADA, or the ADEA, you must file a charge with the EEOC within 300 days of the discriminatory act (180 days for claims filed only under state law). For Texas Labor Code claims, the deadline is 180 days with the Texas Workforce Commission Civil Rights Division. These deadlines are firm — courts rarely allow exceptions.

Should I sign a severance agreement before talking to an attorney?

No. Severance agreements include releases of legal claims that are often broader than they appear. Many employees sign away valuable discrimination, retaliation, or wage claims for severance that is less than those claims are worth. An employment attorney can review the agreement, advise on what you're releasing, and sometimes negotiate better terms before you sign.

What does it cost to hire an employment attorney in Austin?

Employment attorneys in Austin use different fee structures depending on case type. Plaintiff-side discrimination and retaliation cases are typically handled on contingency — the attorney collects a percentage of your recovery. Wage and hour claims may be handled the same way. Non-compete review and severance negotiation are often flat-fee or hourly. Most employment attorneys offer a free initial consultation.

From Our Legal Blog

Employment Law Guides for Austin Residents

Need help finding the right attorney? Learn how our Austin attorney referral service connects you with the right employment lawyer for your specific situation.

Free Case Review

Dealt With Unfairly at Work in Austin?

Employment claims have strict deadlines. The sooner you speak with an attorney, the more options you have. Submit your request — an employment attorney in our network will reach out within one business day.

Get a Free Case Review

Tell us what happened. We'll connect you with a qualified Austin attorney — no cost, no obligation.

Your Name * Please enter your name.

Phone Number * Please enter a valid phone number.

Email (optional) Please enter a valid email address.

Type of Case * Please select a case type.

Tell us about your situation (optional) Optional · helps the attorney prepare before they call

By submitting this form, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. ATX Attorneys is an attorney referral service, not a law firm. We do not provide legal advice.

Austin Employment Attorneys