DOUGLAS C. BRACKEN

Douglas C. Bracken
Bennett, Weston, LaJone & Turner, PC
214-373-2565 Direct
214-393-4065 Fax
dbracken@bennettweston.com

Areas of Practice:  Employment and Labor Law, Litigation
Mr. Bracken represents businesses and employers in both trial and arbitration primarily in employment, labor and commercial litigation.  He defends all types of employee claims, including for discrimination and retaliation under Title VII, ADA, ADEA, FMLA, FLSA, NLRA and other state and federal employment laws.  He also appears before state and governmental agencies and defends grievances filed by unions and their members. Moreover, by initially advising employers on their employment policies, procedures, and handbooks, Mr. Bracken can help employers avoid litigation in the first place; and he can further advise and defend employers and executives on their employment and non-compete agreements, and other business-related litigation.  Finally, a large portion of Mr. Bracken’s practice is devoted to advising and defending “nonsubscriber” employers who have opted out of the Texas Workers’ Compensation Act.

Education
Juris Doctor, editor of Law Review – Texas Tech University School of Law
Bachelor of Arts, cum laude – Washington & Lee University

Courts Admitted to Practice
Admitted to Texas Bar – 1992
Admitted to practice before:      U.S. Supreme Court; U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit; U.S. District Courts, Northern, Eastern, Western and Southern Districts of Texas

Professional Affiliations
State Bar of Texas, Labor and Employment, Litigation sections
Dallas Bar Association, Employment Law section
College of the State Bar of Texas

Published Opinions
Sherrod v. American Airlines, Inc., 132 F.3d 1112 (5th Cir. 1998)
In re Michael Copeland, 45 S.W.3d 348 (Tex. App.—Texarkana 2001, orig. proceeding)

Seminars
“Non-Competition Agreements For At-Will Employees After Sheshunoff,” Collin County Bench Bar Conference, 2007.

“Top 10 in 2006:  Employment Law Update,” TXANS 2007 Annual Nonsubscriber Conference & Exhibition.

“Averting the Legal Challenges that Arise from Constructive Discharge and Wrongful Terminations,” Council on Education in Management, Employment Law Update, 2006.

“Effectively Managing Return to Work Issues:  Understanding Your Employer Rights and Responsibilities,” Council on Education in Management, FMLA Update, 2004.

“Employment Practices Audits:  Heading Litigation Off at the Pass,” American Corporate Counsel Association, DFW chapter, Employment Law Seminar, 1998.