Lori Carr
Practice Areas
Labor & Employment Law
Practice Emphasis
Lori has been practicing law for more than 20 years, with a focus on employment litigation defense, encompassing employment discrimination, harassment, retailiation, family leave, wrongful termination, FLSA, non-competition agreements, affirmative action, OSHA, and ERISA preemption. She is Board Certified in Labor & Employment Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, and is a trained mediator. Lori has first chair trial experience in state and federal courts, as well as before arbitration proceedings and governmental agency hearings, including the U.S. Department of Justice, EEOC, U.S. Department of Labor, OSHA, and the Texas Workforce Commission. She is a frequent lecturer on employment policies, management training, and compliance with state and federal employment law, including:
- Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (discrimination, harassment, and retaliation based on sex, national origin, religion, color and race)
- The Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1964
- The Americans With Disabilities Act
- The Family and Medical Leave Act
- The Fair Labor Standards Act (minimum wage and overtime issues)
- ERISA Litigation (benefit claims, interference with protected rights, violation of statutory and common law duties)
- The Occupational Safety and Health Act
- Executive Order 11246 (affirmative action planning and audit defense)
- Sarbanes-Oxley Act (whistleblower protection)
- Workers Compensation Retaliation
- Unemployment Benefits
- Employment Contracts
- Covenants Not to Compete and other restrictive covenants
- Misappropriation of Trade Secrets
- Employment Policies and Procedures
- Pregnancy Discrimination
- Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act
- Article 21 of the Texas Labor Code
A significant portion of the Lori's practice is focused on counseling employers on a daily basis on various employment issues, such as:
- Employee discipline
- Sexual harassment investigations
- Termination decisions
- Ethics point investigations
- Employee theft investigations
- Policies and procedures
- Workplace violence
- Family leave eligibility
- Accommodation of disabilities
- Proper classification of employees
- Employment contracts
- Payment of wages
She also conducts formal training, including the following:
- Training managers and supervisors in how to recognize and deal with employment law issues
- Sexual harassment education for managers and employees
- Best practices in employment policies and procedures, including hiring, discipline and firing
- ADA compliance and coordination with workers compensation and family leave laws
Education
J.D., Baylor University Law School (1988)
B.B.A., Accounting, Baylor University (1985)
Prior Professional Experience
Owner/Founder, The Carr Law Firm, P.C. (2006-2008)
Partner, Gardere Wynne Sewell, Dallas (1997-2006)
Associate, Gardere & Wynne, Dallas (1991-97)
Associate, Johnson & Gibbs, Washington, D.C. (1990-91)
Law Clerk to the Honorable Eldon B. Mahon, United States District Judge, Northern District of Texas (1988-90)
Admissions
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas
Bar of the District of Columbia
U.S. Tax Court
Professional Memberships
Member, State Bar of Texas, Labor & Employment Section
Fellow, Texas Bar Foundation
Member, College of the State Bar of Texas
Member, Dallas Bar Association, Labor & Employment Section
Professional Achievements
Recognized, Texas Super Lawyer, as published by Texas Monthly (2006-2008)
Board Certified in Labor & Employment Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization (1995-present)
AV Peer Review Rating, Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory
