When your employer violates your rights, your income, your career, and your family’s stability are all at risk. Key Trial Lawyers represents employees across Central Texas who need a Texas employment law attorney willing to prepare for trial from day one. We handle wrongful termination, workplace discrimination, wage and hour disputes, sexual harassment, and retaliation claims on a contingency basis. You pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.
Table of Contents
- Why Employees Choose Our Firm
- Employment Law Cases We Handle
- How Our Employment Lawyers Build Your Claim
- Federal and State Workplace Protections
- Fired for an Illegal Reason?
- Hostile Work Environment and Harassment Claims
- Wage Theft and Overtime Violations
- Serving Employees Across Central Texas
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Contact Key Trial Lawyers
Why Employees Choose Our Firm
Most employment lawyers never try a case. They negotiate from a position of weakness because insurance companies and corporate counsel know which firms settle and which firms fight. Our approach is different. We build every claim as if it will be presented to a jury, and that preparation changes how the other side evaluates what they owe.
Our attorneys work directly with each client throughout the process. When you call our office, your attorney answers your questions. We limit our caseload so each person receives the attention their situation demands. Complex employment law matters require thorough investigation, not assembly-line processing.
We have experience handling matters that other firms decline. Executive disputes, class-wide wage theft, and discrimination by prominent employers require labor and employment lawyers comfortable with significant risk and complexity. Insurance carriers and corporate defense teams track which firms go to trial. That distinction changes every settlement offer. Our team invests the time and resources to prepare each claim thoroughly because that preparation creates leverage at the negotiating table and in the courtroom.
Employment Law Cases We Handle
Our employment lawyers represent employees throughout Austin, Buda, Bastrop, and New Braunfels who face serious violations of federal and state workplace protections. Each type of claim presents unique challenges that require specific legal experience and knowledge.
- Wrongful Termination — If you were fired for whistleblowing, filing complaints, requesting medical time off, or based on protected characteristics, you may have a valid claim under the Civil Rights Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, or the Family and Medical Leave Act.
- Workplace Discrimination — The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission enforces federal laws prohibiting unfair treatment based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, and genetic information. Our attorneys build claims that hold companies accountable.
- Sexual Harassment — Hostile work environment claims and quid pro quo harassment involving job benefits violate federal law. These claims require careful evidence gathering and often proceed through the EEOC before going to court.
- Wage and Hour Disputes — The Fair Labor Standards Act and Texas Workforce Commission rules establish requirements for minimum wage, overtime pay, and accurate recordkeeping. We calculate what you are owed and pursue recovery.
- Retaliation — Federal law protects employees who engage in protected activity, including reporting violations, filing workers’ compensation claims, or cooperating with investigations. If you faced adverse action after asserting your rights, our firm handles these claims.
How Our Employment Lawyers Build Your Claim
Understanding the process helps you make informed decisions. Here is how we move from initial consultation to resolution.
- Free consultation — You speak directly with an attorney who assesses whether federal or state employment law violations occurred. We review your employment contract, documents, pay records, and any evidence of mistreatment. This evaluation determines the strength of your claim and the best path forward.
- Evidence collection — Our team collects personnel files, emails, witness statements, company policies, and payroll records. For discrimination claims, we analyze patterns suggesting unfair treatment. For wage disputes, we calculate unpaid overtime and other amounts owed. This phase often reveals additional violations the employee did not initially recognize.
- Negotiation and litigation — Many disputes resolve through negotiation once employers face credible legal action. We draft demand letters outlining violations and present evidence during settlement discussions. When employers refuse fair compensation, we file in state or federal court without hesitation.
- Recovery — Compensation may include back pay, front pay, compensatory damages for emotional distress, punitive damages, and attorney fees. In certain termination claims, reinstatement is sometimes possible. Throughout the process, we ensure you understand your options and make decisions aligned with your priorities.
Federal and State Workplace Protections
At-will employment does not mean companies can fire you for any reason. Federal and state laws prohibit adverse actions based on protected characteristics and protected activity. Understanding these protections is the first step toward holding the company accountable.
- The Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits unfair treatment based on race, color, religion, sex, and national origin.
- The Americans with Disabilities Act requires reasonable accommodations for qualified employees.
- The Age Discrimination in Employment Act protects individuals over forty.
- The Family and Medical Leave Act provides job-protected time off for qualifying health conditions.
- The Fair Labor Standards Act establishes minimum wage, overtime, and recordkeeping requirements.
- Texas labor law provides additional protections beyond these federal statutes.
Filing deadlines vary by claim type. EEOC charges must typically be filed within 180 or 300 days depending on circumstances. FLSA wage claims have a two or three-year statute of limitations. Delays can eliminate your options entirely, so contact an attorney promptly if you believe your rights have been violated.
Fired for an Illegal Reason?
At-will employment means either party can end the relationship at any time, but employers cannot fire you for illegal reasons. If you were terminated for reporting safety violations, requesting FMLA time off, filing a workers’ compensation claim, or based on your race, sex, age, disability, or other protected characteristic, you may have a wrongful termination claim.
Our lawyers evaluate whether your termination violated federal or state protections. We examine the timeline of events, communications with management, your performance history, and how similarly situated employees were treated. Employers rarely admit to illegal motivations, so building a circumstantial claim demands careful and thorough investigation.
Hostile Work Environment and Harassment Claims
Unfair treatment in the workplace takes many forms. It can be as obvious as a manager making derogatory comments about an employee’s race or religion, or as subtle as consistently passing over qualified women for promotions. Our discrimination lawyers handle claims involving all protected characteristics under federal and state law.
A hostile work environment exists when harassment becomes so severe or pervasive that it interferes with your ability to do your job. Single incidents of extreme conduct can qualify. Our harassment attorneys have experience building these claims from initial intake through trial.
Wage Theft and Overtime Violations
Employers owe their employees fair pay for every hour worked. Wage and hour violations cost Texas workers millions annually. Common violations include:
- Failure to pay overtime at the required rate
- Misclassifying employees as exempt or as independent contractors
- Requiring off-the-clock labor
- Tip theft and illegal deductions
The Fair Labor Standards Act requires most employees to receive overtime at one and a half times their regular rate for hours worked over forty per week. Our employment lawyers calculate what you are owed and pursue legal action when companies refuse to pay.
Serving Employees Across Central Texas
Key Trial Lawyers represents employees with workplace disputes throughout Travis, Hays, Bastrop, and Comal counties. Each region has local industries and courts that our attorneys know well from years of experience.
- Austin — Government, technology, and service industries produce a wide range of employment disputes for employees across the region.
- Buda and Bastrop — Rapid growth has brought new companies and new issues for workers, including wage theft and retaliation.
- New Braunfels — Tourism, hospitality, and manufacturing drive the local economy and create wage disputes and other labor claims we regularly handle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common Questions From Texas Employees
How do I know if I have a valid employment claim?
Valid claims typically involve violations of specific federal or state protections — unfair treatment based on protected characteristics, unpaid wages, harassment creating a hostile work environment, or adverse action for protected activity. The best way to assess your situation is through a consultation with an employment lawyer who handles these matters regularly. We evaluate the facts, applicable laws, and potential recovery during your free evaluation.
What damages can I recover?
Depending on the violations, you may recover back pay, front pay, compensatory damages for emotional distress, punitive damages, interest, and attorney fees. Wage claims typically involve unpaid amounts plus liquidated damages. Federal claims may include substantial compensatory and punitive damages.
How long do I have to file?
Deadlines vary. EEOC charges must typically be filed within 180 or 300 days. FLSA wage claims have a two or three-year statute of limitations. State claims have different deadlines. Delays can eliminate your options entirely, which is why we recommend contacting a lawyer as soon as you suspect a violation.
Will my employer find out if I consult with a lawyer?
Consultations with employment lawyers are confidential. Many employees seek legal advice before deciding whether to take formal action. If the company retaliates against you for exercising your rights, that becomes an additional violation under federal and state law.
Can I sue my employer in Texas?
Yes. Texas is an at-will employment state, but employers cannot fire you for illegal reasons. Federal and state labor laws prohibit adverse actions based on protected characteristics, and employees who report violations or file complaints are protected from retaliation.
How much does it cost to hire an employment lawyer?
Most of our employment law matters are handled on contingency — you pay no fees unless we win. This ensures that employees can pursue valid claims regardless of financial resources. We explain fee arrangements during your initial consultation.
Contact Key Trial Lawyers
Your employer has lawyers protecting their interests. You need a Texas employment law attorney protecting yours. We handle all types of employment disputes on contingency, so there is no upfront cost to you. We discuss fee arrangements transparently during your free consultation so there are no surprises.
Call our office for an immediate response or submit your details online for a confidential review. Every consultation is free. You speak directly with an attorney who provides legal representation for employees throughout Central Texas.
