Lori Carr

Member

Taber Estes Thorne & Carr PLLC
3500 Maple Avenue, Suite 1100
Dallas, Texas 75219
Direct Dial: 214.599.4004
lcarr@taberestes.com
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Practice Areas

Labor & Employment Law
Arbitration/Mediation/ADR

Ms. Carr has been practicing law for over 20 years, is Board Certified in Labor & Employment Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, and is an experienced mediator and arbitrator. Her expertise is in employment litigation defense, including employment discrimination, harassment, family leave, wrongful termination, FLSA, non-competition agreements, affirmative action, OSHA, and ERISA preemption. Ms. Carr has first chair trial experience in state and federal courts, arbitration proceedings, and before government agencies. Ms. Carr is a frequent lecturer on employment policies, management training, and compliance with state and federal employment laws. She represents clients in state and federal courts, the U.S. Department of Justice, EEOC, U.S. Department of Labor, OSHA, and Texas Workforce Commission.

In 2006 and 2007, Ms. Carr was named a Texas Super Lawyer by Texas Monthly and Law & Politics magazine and has an AV peer review rating in the Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory.

Practice Emphasis

Ms. Carr specializes in defending employers in all matters arising out of the employment relationship, including training and consultation, risk management, litigation defense, and representation during government audits and before government agencies. Her litigation experience includes suits in state and federal courts, arbitration, and administrative proceedings. Ms. Carr practices Labor & Employment defense work and has experience and expertise in the following areas:

• 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 1967 (age discrimination)
• The Americans With Disabilities Act (disability accommodation and discrimination)
• 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 (OSHA)
• Executive Order 11246 (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
• Whistleblower actions, including "Sabine Pilot" actions
• Pregnancy Discrimination
• Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act
• Article 21 of the Texas Labor Code

Counseling and Training

A significant portion of the Ms. Carr'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 and Certifications

J.D., Baylor University Law School (1988)

B.B.A., Baylor University (1985)

• Accounting

Board Certified in Labor & Employment Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. 1995-present

Prior Work Experience

• Owner/Founder, The Carr Law Firm, P.C. (2006-2008) Labor & Employment defense
• Partner, Gardere Wynne Sewell, Dallas (1997-2006) Labor & Employment defense
• Associate, Gardere & Wynne, Dallas (1991-1997) Labor & Employment defense
• Associate, Johnson & Gibbs, Washington, D.C. (1990-1991) Tax, Real Estate and Labor Sections
• Law Clerk to the Honorable Eldon B. Mahon, United States District Judge for the Northern District of Texas (1988-90)

Admissions

• State Bar of Texas
• Bar of the District of Columbia
• Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals
• Northern District of Texas
• Eastern District of Texas
• Western District of Texas
• U.S. Tax Court

Professional Memberships

• 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

Representative Clients

The following is a list of clients with whom Ms. Carr has a continuing relationship.

• AT&T
• B&E Industries
• CBS Corporation
• Communication Solutions
• D.R. Horton
• Easton-Bell Sports
• EFJohnson, Inc.
• Heritage Capital Corporation
• i2 Technologies, Inc.
• Lawler Foods, Ltd.
• Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company
• Pulte Homes