Employment Law - Management Labor Law - Management
Michael D. Mitchell
Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2007 Awarded Practice Areas
Biography
A shareholder in the Firm’s Houston office, Mr. Mitchell's practice focuses primarily on employment-related litigation in federal and state court and representing clients before the various federal and state agencies charged with the enforcement of employment and labor laws. Mr. Mitchell also advises clients regarding various issues related to employee rights and benefits and employer obligations and policies. His practice also includes both creation and review of employment policies and manuals.Mr. Mitchell is Board Certified in labor and employment law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and has been named a "Super Lawyer" several times in Texas Monthly. He is also listed in The Best Lawyers in America.Throughout his practice, Mr. Mitchell has successfully represented a number of public and private employers in wrongful discharge, harassment and retaliation cases bought under the various federal and state employment discrimination statues and under the common law. In doing so, Mr. Mitchell has won summary judgment dismissal of a large number of cases brought against his clients and has successfully defended the dismissal of each of those cases on appeal. Mr. Mitchell has successfully argued several cases in front of the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals and has briefed many more cases before that court.
Overview
- Southern Methodist University, J.D., graduated 1992
- Emory University, BA, graduated 1989
- Texas, State Bar of Texas
- American Bar Association - Member
- Houston Bar Association - Member
- Houston Management Lawyers Forum - Member
- Labor & Employment Law - Board Certified
- Texas Bar Association - Member
- Texas, State Bar of Texas
- American Bar Association - Member
- Houston Bar Association - Member
- Houston Management Lawyers Forum - Member
- Labor & Employment Law - Board Certified
- Texas Bar Association - Member
- Southern Methodist University, J.D., graduated 1992
- Emory University, BA, graduated 1989
Client Testimonials
Awards & Focus
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2026 for work in:
- Employment Law - Management
- Labor Law - Management
Special Focus:
- Employment
- Management
Awards:
- Texas Super Lawyer (2013)
News & Media
Case History
Cases
- Other Court Admissions
- U.S. District Court, Eastern and Southern Districts of Texas
- Mr. Mitchell has litigated and tried the following cases on behalf of Defendants:
- In April 2006, Mr. Mitchell was First Chair in Emmy Campbell v. Metropolitan Transit Authority in the Harris County District Court. Plaintiff contended that she was discriminated against and terminated in retaliation for reporting, in good faith, violations of law to the appropriate authorities in violation of Section 554.002 of the Texas Government Code (Whistleblower retaliation case). Directed verdict in Defendant's favor.
- In March 2008, Mr. Mitchell was First Chair in Yolanda Holden v. Valeron Strength Films in the United States District Court, Southern District of Texas, Houston Division. Plaintiff alleged that Defendant had discriminated against her on the basis of sex and had retaliated against her in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, etc. Directed verdict was on one claim. Jury verdict in Defendant's favor on 4 others.
- In July 2010, Mr. Mitchell was First Chair in Maria May v. HydroChem Industrial in the Galveston County, Texas District Court. Plaintiff alleged that Defendant had discriminated against her on the basis of sex and subjected her to quid pro quo and hostile work environment sexual harassment in violation of the Texas Commission on Human Rights Act. Jury verdict in Defendant's favor on all claims.
- Part 2
- In April 2011, Mr. Mitchell was First Chair in Vanessa Martin v. Radio One of Texas in the Harris County, Texas District Court. Plaintiff alleged that Defendant had discriminated against her on the basis of sex when terminating her employment in violation of Texas Commission On Human Rights Act. Jury verdict in Defendant's favor on both claims.
- In October 2012, Mr. Mitchell was First Chair in Nina Taylor et al. v. Turner Industries in the United States District Court, Eastern District of Texas, Marshall Division. Psuedo-Class action where 46 Plaintiffs alleged that Defendant had discriminated against them on the basis of race and had retaliated against them in violation of both 42 U.S.C. Section 1981 Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, etc. Claims of 10 of the 46 Plaintiffs were tried to a jury. Defense verdict on all claims of 8 of the 10 Plaintiffs. Two Plaintiffs prevailed on the claims.
- In August 2013, Mr. Mitchell was First Chair in Michelle Crevier-Gerukos v. Eisai Inc. in the United States District Court, Southern District of Texas, Houston Division. Plaintiff alleged that Defendant retaliated against her when it fired her in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, etc. Defense verdict.
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