Daniel is a partner at the firm focusing primarily in the area of employment, labor, and immigration compliance matters. He is also Board Certified in Labor and Employment by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. As part of his practice, he assists clients by advising them on state and federal employment law; human resources issues; prevention and defense of discrimination or employment violations; and drafting employment related agreements and policies to circumvent employee claims. Additionally, Daniel has successfully represented employers in a variety of matters in state and federal courts, arbitration, and before governmental agencies.
Work Accomplishments:
- Successfully defended employer in arbitration where an employee alleged race discrimination and claimed $400,000 in damages;
- Managed complex multi-million dollar federal whistle blower (qui tam) litigation from inception to dismissal on behalf of public employer;
- Represented employers in complex Department of Labor investigations involving potential million dollar liability and resolving cases in best interests of employers;
- Successfully tried to jury verdict lawsuit involving American with Disabilities Act discrimination, gender discrimination under Title VII, and workers' compensation retaliation;
- Successfully obtained summary judgment in a lawsuit involving gender and age discrimination under Title VII and Age Discrimination in Employment Act, respectfully;
- Successfully defended employers in wage and hour litigation in federal courts by precluding collective actions and minimizing liability;
- Successfully defended employer in a sexual harassment and assault case in arbitration.
- Implemented non-competition and confidentiality agreements to ensure employer's interests are protected;
- Drafted employment policies and arbitration agreements to circumvent collective/class actions in wage and hour lawsuits;
- Represented employers during ICE enforcement raids; and
- Conducted compliance "I-9" audits and training to prevent liability associated with ICE enforcement actions and to eliminate ID fraud of employees.
Admitted to Practice:
- State Courts of Texas
- Federal Courts of Admittance:
- Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals
- Texas Southern District Court
- Texas Northern District Court
- Texas Eastern District Court
Certifications, Memberships, and Activities:
- Board Certified - Labor and Employment Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization
- State Bar of Texas
- American Bar Association, Labor and Employment Section
- Houston Bar Association, Labor and Employment Section
- Board of Director, Hispanic Bar Association of Houston (HISBA)
- Houston Minority Business Council, Professional Services Task Force Committee Member
- Officer, Oak Forest Home Owners' Association
Speaking and Training Engagements:
- FMLA Changing With The Times, Woodlands, TX
- Eliminating ID Fraud and Avoiding an ICE Raid, Austin, TX
- Compliance with Immigration Laws and I-9 Forms, Austin, TX
- Avoiding Wrongful Discharge Claims, Family and Medical Leave Act Compliance, Houston TX
- Sexual Harassment Avoidance, Houston, TX
- Complying With Wage and Hour Laws, Houston TX
Education and Professional Background:
- University of Texas School of Law, J.D., 2002 (Articles Editor, The Review of Litigation; Associate Editor, Texas Hispanic Journal of Law and Policy)
- University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), B.A., 1998
- District Office of Congressman Silvestre Reyes, Military and Veterans Caseworker, 1995-1998
- U.S. Navy and Reserves, 1993-2001
- U.S. Navy Meritorious Service Medal, 1996; 1998
