Esteban Shardonofsky

I counsel clients on employment and workplace compliance issues, conduct internal investigations, and defend clients in government investigations, administrative charges, and employment litigation.­ My clients appreciate that I can break down the most complex of employment law issues to basic, practical terms, and that I work equally well across HR and in-house teams with varying levels of experience and expertise. As a partner and chair of the firm's Houston office Labor & Employment practice, I help clients successfully navigate employment-related compliance and business objectives, and minimize litigation risks. I am a trusted and respected litigator, and have successfully represented employers in federal and state court, arbitration, and before administrative agencies, such as the US DOL, the EEOC, and the TWC in connection with all aspects of employment litigation—from inception through trial or arbitration, as well as on appeal. I devote much of my time to and have substantial experience defending employers in wage-and-hour cases, including lawsuits brought by exempt employees who claim they are entitled to overtime, claims by contractors who allege they are entitled to be treated as employees, and lawsuits brought by employees claiming that they were required to work off-the-clock. I am board certified in L&E law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization—a distinction held by less than 1% of practicing attorneys in Texas—and have an extensive advice and counseling practice that focuses on helping employers avoid litigation. I regularly advise executives, managers, human resources professionals, and in-house counsel on a full range of HR and employment compliance topics, including personnel handbooks and policies, discipline and terminations, hiring and background checks, drug screens, and FMLA/ADA leave and accommodation issues. When clients have serious employee complaints, I also assist with investigations—either advising in-house counsel and HR or conducting the investigation myself. My work includes training managers, leaders, executives, HR departments, and legal teams on the full suite of labor and employment compliance topics. As head of the Houston L&E group, I lead a team of dedicated employment-law specialists, increasing the team's profile through client events, publications, and other means, managing productivity and performance, overseeing recruitment and hiring, mentoring and coaching, strategic planning, increasing diversity and inclusion, cross-selling and marketing across the office, and administrative tasks.