Practice Areas Labor & Employment Law
Arbitration/Mediation/ADR
Practice Emphasis Ms. Carr 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 representing employers in all matters arising out of the employment relationship, including litigation defense, risk management, training, consultation, and representation during government audits.
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 the Texas Workforce Commission.
Ms. Carr 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)
- Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (age discrimination)
- Americans With Disabilities Act (disability accommodation and discrimination)
- Family and Medical Leave Act
- Fair Labor Standards Act (minimum wage and overtime issues)
- Covenants Not to Compete and other restrictive covenants
- Misappropriation of Trade Secrets
- ERISA Litigation (benefit claims, interference with protected rights, violation of statutory and common law duties)
- Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA)
- Executive Order 11246 (affirmative action planning and audit defense)
- Sarbanes-Oxley Act (whistleblower protection)
- Workers Compensation Retaliation
- Unemployment Benefits
- Employment Contracts
- 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
Education and Certifications J.D., Baylor University Law School (1988)
B.B.A., Baylor University (1985)
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
- Central District of Illinois
- U.S. Tax Court
Affiliations - State Bar of Texas
- Labor & Employment Section
- Life Fellow, Texas Bar Foundation
- Member, College of the State Bar of Texas
- Member, Dallas Bar Association
- Labor & Employment Section
- Fellow, Dallas Bar Association
- Recognized, Texas Super Lawyers, Thomson Reuters, as published in Texas Monthly (2006, 2007, 2008, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018)
- Recognized, Best Women Lawyers in Dallas, D Magazine (2010)
- Recognized, Best Lawyers in Dallas, D Magazine (2011)
- Recognized, The Best Lawyers in America (2012-2019)
- AV Preeminent peer review rating in Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory
- Member, NAMWOLF (National Association of Minority & Women Owned Law Firms)
Community Activities - Girls, Inc. of Metropolitan Dallas
- Women For Girls
- UTA Pre-Law Center Mentoring Program
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
- 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 termination
- ADA compliance and coordination with workers compensation and family leave laws
Representative Clients The following is a list of clients with whom Ms. Carr has a continuing relationship.
- B&E Industries
- D.R. Horton
- Easton-Bell Sports
- Heritage Capital Corporation
- Luminant Power Services Company
- Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company
News Releases In the News