Texas Employment Law Attorney
At the Law Office of Jack Quentin Nichols, we represent employees across the entire state of Texas in employment law matters. With 28 years of experience, Jack Quentin Nichols is a Texas employment law attorney dedicated exclusively to protecting the rights of Texas workers — from the Gulf Coast to the Panhandle, from the Rio Grande Valley to East Texas.
Whether you work in Houston’s energy sector, Austin’s tech industry, San Antonio’s military and healthcare community, or anywhere else in Texas, our firm is ready to fight for you.
What Is Texas Employment Law?
Texas employment law governs the relationship between employers and employees in the Lone Star State. Texas is an at-will employment state, which means employers generally may terminate employees for any reason or no reason at all — but not for an illegal reason. Both Texas law and federal law prohibit employers from discriminating against, harassing, or retaliating against employees based on protected characteristics or protected activities.
The primary laws protecting Texas employees include:
- Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 — prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, and national origin
- Texas Labor Code (Texas Commission on Human Rights Act) — mirrors Title VII and extends protections under Texas state law
- Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) — protects employees 40 and older from age discrimination
- Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) — prohibits discrimination based on disability and requires reasonable accommodations
- Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA) — protects employees from discrimination based on pregnancy, childbirth, or related conditions
- Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) — governs minimum wage, overtime, and retaliation for wage complaints
- Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) — provides protected leave and prohibits retaliation for taking or requesting FMLA leave
- Sabine Pilot Doctrine — Texas common law protecting employees fired for refusing to commit an illegal act
Texas Employment Law Practice Areas
Workplace Discrimination
Texas and federal law prohibit employment discrimination based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age (40+), disability, and pregnancy. If you have been treated unfairly, denied a promotion, paid less than your peers, or terminated because of a protected characteristic, you may have a claim. Jack Nichols represents Texas employees in discrimination claims before the EEOC, the Texas Workforce Commission Civil Rights Division, and in federal and state court.
Workplace Retaliation
Retaliation is one of the most commonly violated employment laws in Texas. Your employer cannot punish you for reporting discrimination or harassment, filing an EEOC or TWC charge, requesting FMLA leave, making a workers’ compensation claim, reporting a patient safety concern (nursing/healthcare retaliation), complaining about unpaid wages, or refusing to commit an illegal act. Retaliation claims are time-sensitive — some deadlines are as short as 180 days from the retaliatory act.
Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment in the Texas workplace is illegal under both Title VII and the Texas Labor Code. Since 2022, federal law also prohibits mandatory arbitration of sexual harassment claims, regardless of any arbitration agreement you signed. If you have been subjected to unwelcome sexual advances, offensive comments, or a hostile work environment based on sex, Jack Nichols can help you understand your rights and pursue a claim.
FMLA Retaliation
The Family and Medical Leave Act entitles eligible Texas employees to up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave per year for qualifying medical and family reasons. If your Texas employer denied your FMLA leave, interfered with your rights, or fired or demoted you for taking or requesting FMLA leave, you may have a strong retaliation claim.
FLSA Wage Claims & Retaliation
The Fair Labor Standards Act protects Texas employees from wage theft, including failure to pay minimum wage, failure to pay overtime at 1.5 times the regular rate, and illegal deductions. The FLSA also prohibits retaliation against employees who complain about unpaid wages or overtime.
Sabine Pilot — Wrongful Termination for Refusing an Illegal Act
Texas recognizes a narrow but important exception to at-will employment: if you were fired solely because you refused to commit a specific illegal act, you may have a Sabine Pilot wrongful termination claim. This is a powerful remedy available only under Texas law.
ADA Disability Discrimination & Retaliation
Texas employers with 15 or more employees must provide reasonable accommodations to qualified employees with disabilities and are prohibited from discriminating or retaliating based on disability. If your Texas employer denied a reasonable accommodation request, demoted you, or terminated you because of a disability, Jack Nichols can help you pursue your rights.
Nursing & Healthcare Worker Retaliation
Texas nurses, doctors, and other healthcare workers are specifically protected from retaliation for reporting patient safety concerns, requesting nursing peer review, or opposing violations of the minimum standards of professional practice. These protections exist under both Texas law (the Safe Harbor statute) and federal law.
Texas Cities We Serve
Our firm represents employees throughout Texas, including:
- Austin — Travis County and surrounding areas
- Houston — Harris County and Greater Houston
- San Antonio — Bexar County and surrounding areas
- Dallas / Fort Worth — DFW Metroplex
- El Paso, Lubbock, Amarillo, Corpus Christi, McAllen, and all other Texas cities
Most cases are handled on a contingency fee basis — you pay nothing unless we win or settle your case.
Why Choose Jack Nichols as Your Texas Employment Law Attorney?
- 28 years of experience exclusively in Texas employment law
- Former attorney at the Texas Attorney General’s Office representing the Texas Workforce Commission
- Licensed by the State Bar of Texas since 1997
- Member: State Bar of Texas — Labor & Employment Section; Texas Employment Lawyers Association (TELA)
- Admitted to practice before the United States Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit and all four United States District Courts in Texas
- Contingency fee representation — no fees unless you recover
Frequently Asked Questions — Texas Employment Law
Does Texas have its own employment discrimination law?
Yes. The Texas Commission on Human Rights Act (TCHRA), codified in Chapter 21 of the Texas Labor Code, prohibits employment discrimination on the same bases as Title VII. Claims under the TCHRA must be filed with the TWC Civil Rights Division within 180 days of the discriminatory act (or 300 days if the EEOC also has jurisdiction).
How long do I have to file an employment law claim in Texas?
Deadlines vary by claim type. EEOC charges for Title VII, ADA, and ADEA claims must generally be filed within 300 days. TWC Civil Rights Division charges under state law must be filed within 180 days. FLSA wage claims must be filed within two years (three years for willful violations). Sabine Pilot claims follow a four-year statute of limitations. Do not wait — contact an attorney immediately.
Is Texas an at-will employment state?
Yes. Texas is an at-will employment state, meaning an employer can generally terminate an employee for any reason or no reason. However, Texas and federal law create important exceptions: an employer cannot fire you for a discriminatory reason, in retaliation for protected activity, or (under the Sabine Pilot doctrine) solely for refusing to commit an illegal act.
Do I need a lawyer for my Texas employment law claim?
While you are not required to have an attorney, employment law claims involve strict deadlines, complex procedural requirements, and sophisticated employer-side legal teams. Having an experienced Texas employment law attorney significantly increases the likelihood of a successful outcome. Jack Nichols offers free confidential consultations to evaluate your situation.
Contact the Law Office of Jack Quentin Nichols today for a free, confidential consultation. Call (512) 595-1269 or book online.
*A Free Confidential Consultation is a short discussion of your legal needs to determine if our firm can be of assistance to you. It does not include free legal advice and nothing discussed during the Free Consultation should be construed as legal advice. Free Consultations are limited to certain practice areas. SENDING A MESSAGE THROUGH THIS WEBSITE, EMAILING OR CALLING AND/OR LEAVING A VOICEMAIL MESSAGE DOES NOT CREATE AN ATTORNEY/CLIENT RELATIONSHIP. NO SUCH RELATIONSHIP IS ESTABLISHED UNTIL AN AGREEMENT OF SUCH A RELATIONSHIP IS REDUCED TO WRITING AND SIGNED BY JACK QUENTIN NICHOLS.