Russell D. Cawyer is a partner and chair of the firm's Labor and Employment Practice. Board-certified in Labor and Employment Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization since 2000, Russell defends and advises employers in complex workplace matters. His extensive litigation experience spans jury and bench trials in state and federal courts, as well as arbitrations and class actions involving thousands of collective members. He frequently represents management before major regulatory agencies, including the EEOC, DOL, and NLRB, handling high-stakes disputes over wage-and-hour compliance, discrimination, and restrictive covenants. Beyond the courtroom, Russell serves as a strategic advisor to business owners and HR professionals on policy development and labor relations. He is also the publisher of the Texas Employment Law Update and a frequent speaker on evolving workplace laws.
Russell D. Cawyer
Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2015 Biography
Locations
Education
- Texas Tech University, J.D., cum laude, graduated 1995
- University of North Texas, B.S., cum laude, graduated 1992
Bar Admissions
Court Admissions
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit
- U.S. District Court, Western District of Texas
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Texas
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan
Affiliations
- Board Certified, Labor and Employment Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization - 2000-present
- State Bar of Texas, Labor and Employment Law Section - Member
- Tarrant County Bar Association, Labor & Employment Law Section - Secretary, 2010-2011
Client Testimonials
Awards & Focus
- Employment Law - Individuals
- Employment Law - Management
- Labor Law - Management
- Litigation - Labor and Employment
- Administrative / Regulatory Law
- Workers' Compensation Law - Employers
Best Lawyers in America®, 2015-2026
- Employment Law - Management
- Labor Law - Management
- Litigation - Labor & Employment
Texas Super Lawyers, Thomson Reuters, 2009-2025
- Employment & Labor
Top Attorney, 360 West magazine, 2017-2025
- Labor & Employment
- Worker's Compensation
Top Attorney, Fort Worth Magazine, 2004-2024
- Labor & Employment
- Top 100 Dallas/Fort Worth Super Lawyers, Thomson Reuters, 2020
Texas Super Lawyers Rising Star in Texas, Thomson Reuters, 2005-2009
- Employment & Labor
- 40 Under 40 honoree, Fort Worth Business Press
News & Media
Insights
Texas Commission on Human Rights Act Does Not Shield Employees from Common Law Tort Claims Made by Their Co-workers
Blog, Texas Employment Law Update, May 2025
Russell D.
Cawyer
U.S. Supreme Court Confirms that “Reverse Discrimination” is Just Plain Discrimination: No Heightened Evidentiary Showing Required for Members of Majority Groups
Blog
Russell D.
Cawyer
FTC Proposes Banning Noncompetition Agreements with Employees
Texas Employment Law Update - FTC
Russell D.
Cawyer
Texas Businesses Likely to See More Employment Litigation in 2023 and Beyond if Employees Prevail in Pending Appeals
Texas Employment Law Update - Discrimination
Russell D.
Cawyer
Fifth Circuit Remands Title VII Case to Consider if EEOC’s Two Right to Sue Notices Misled Employee
Texas Employment Law Update
Russell D.
Cawyer
Case History
- Spence v. American Airlines, et al., 4:23-CV-0052
- Goesling v. American Airlines, Inc., 342-314565-20
- McIver v. American Eagle Airlines, Inc., 4:08-CV-740-A
- Rodriguez v. American Eagle Airlines, Inc., Cause No. 2008-541,950,
- Franco v. Pier 1 Imports (U.S.), Inc., 2008 WL 4217848
- Pitts v. Electrical Power Systems, Inc., 2008 WL 2364998
- Goesling v. American Airlines, Inc.
- Michalak v. BNSF Railway Co.
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