Randall L. Brim

Biography

Randy grew up in Los Angeles, Dallas, and Tyler, but has lived in Houston since 1984, after moving here to attend law school. During his first 15 years of practice, Randy worked principally as a litigator and as an appellate lawyer, handling both federal and state court appeals, including arguments before the Supreme Court of Texas and briefing to the Supreme Court of the United States. Since then, he has transitioned to focus primarily on corporate, transactional, and real estate work, while remaining actively involved in litigation and appellate law, including construction and employment disputes and other commercial matters.

Randy has two children, Connor and Kendall. He spent many years coaching lacrosse and working with lacrosse-related organizations. Randy was also actively involved in scouting and was a Captain with the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.

Education

  • South Texas College of Law – J.D., 1987
    • South Texas Law Review
  • Texas Christian University – B.B.A., 1982

Speaking Engagements & Presentations

  • Speaker, Insurance Bad Faith Claims Handling Seminars

Memberships and Affiliations

  • Houston Bar Association, Member

Admissions

  • State Bar of Texas (1987)
  • United States District Court: Southern District of Texas

Community Involvement

  • U.S. Lacrosse (Houston Chapter), Executive Committee
  • T.C.U. National Alumni Association, Past Director
  • T.C.U. Young Alumni Association (Houston Chapter), Past President
  • The Woodlands Girls Lacrosse Association, Past President
  • Division Coordinator, Coach, FFPS Soccer, Past Commissioner
  • Boy Scouts of America, Troop 1772, Eagle Scout Advisor, Past Scoutmaster, Past Troop Committee Chairman

David A. Brooks

Biography

David is a native Houstonian and a graduate of Bellaire High School. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Houston and his law degree from South Texas College of Law. David works as a transactional real estate attorney with a focus on the telecommunications industry, including the acquisition of easements and leases, title review, and risk assessment related to telecommunications tower sites. David also has significant experience representing clients in connection with the acquisition, development, and disposition of property as well as the negotiation of commercial and retail leases.

Education

  • South Texas College of Law – J.D., magna cum laude, 2014
    • Recipient of the Dean Elizabeth Dennis Award for Distinguished Service
    • Recipient of CALI Excellence for the Future Awards in Contracts I; Torts II; and Wills, Trusts & Estates
    • Recipient of Dean’s Merit Scholarship
    • South Texas Law Review, Member
  • The University of Houston – B.A., 2010

Recognitions & Distinctions

  • Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® for Real Estate Law (2026)
  • Recognized in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America for Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law, and Real Estate Law (2024–2025)

Representative Experience

  • Extensive representation of a telecommunications client in connection with the acquisition and extension of property interests in cell tower sites
  • Represented clients in negotiations for the purchase and sale of improved and unimproved commercial properties
  • Represented landowner clients in the negotiation of leases for solar farms and wind farms for the generation of clean energy
  • Represented a client in acquiring and redeveloping city-designated historic property
  • Assisted with the development of multi-family and single-family residential projects
  • Represents commercial landlords and tenants in the negotiation of commercial office leases and retail leases
  • Preparation of covenants, conditions, and restrictions for retail centers and lease forms for office and retail leases
  • Miscellaneous work related to real estate transactions of all kinds, including the formation of entities and negotiation of financing

Publications

  • Depository Trust Company and the Omnibus Proxy: Shareholder Voting in the Era of Share Immobilization, 56 S. Tex. L. Rev. 205 (2014)
  • Contributor, Chambers Real Estate Global Practice Guide 2025

Memberships and Affiliations

  • State Bar of Texas, Member
  • Houston Bar Association, Member
  • Young Lawyers Association, Member

Admissions

  • State Bar of Texas (2014)

Serena A. Kramer

Biography

Serena was born in Memphis but has lived in Houston most of her life.  She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Houston and her law degree from South Texas College of Law.  She has two boys with her husband, Evan, a Plainview native.  Serena joined Singleton Cooksey in 1992, working principally as a litigator and appellate lawyer.  After leaving in 2001 to become a full-time stay-at-home mom, she returned to the firm in 2007, as a transactional real estate attorney with an emphasis on title and survey review, title curative work, buyer and seller due diligence, including for multifamily purchase and sale transactions.  Serena’s practice has also included risk assessments, communications tower-related easements and leases, acquisitions of communications towers, individually and as part of a portfolio, and commercial leasing.   In addition to her legal practice, Serena served as a volunteer in various capacities at her children’s elementary, middle and high schools over the years, at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, with BSA Troop 30, the West Point Parents’ Club of Greater Houston and the Texas Tech Parents’ Association.

Education

  • South Texas College of Law – J.D., cum laude, 1990
    • South Texas Law Review, Asst. Editor
    • Order of the Lytae
    • Texas Trial Lawyers Association Law Review Writing Award (1988)
    • Corpus Juris Secundum Award (Scholastic Excellence in Constitutional Law, Federal Procedure, and Texas Post-Trial and Appellate Procedure)
  • The University of Houston – B.S., 1987

Publications

  • Contributor, Chambers Real Estate Global Practice Guide 2025
  • Author, The Eleventh Amendment Should Not Protect States from Liability Suits in Federal Court Under CERCLA and SARA, 20 State Bar of Texas Environmental Law Section Law Journal 74 (1990)

Memberships and Affiliations

  • State Bar of Texas, Member

Admissions

  • State Bar of Texas (1990)
  • United States District Court: Southern District of Texas
  • United States Courts of Appeals for the Fifth and Federal Circuits

Community Involvement

  • West Point Parents’ Club of Greater Houston (Volunteer and 2021 Co-Chair of the Texas Tamale Tailgate at West Point)

Taylor V. Cooksey

Biography

Taylor Cooksey is a Principal in the Houston office of Cokinos | Young, where he leads the firm’s Real Estate Transactions practice group and is also a member of its Corporate practice group.

Taylor has 47 years of experience as a real estate and corporate transactions attorney.  Listed below under Representative Experience are some of the general categories and examples of Taylor’s experience.  Specific transactions within those categories vary in the amount of money involved.  Although typical transactions may range from $5M to $100M, some may be less, and others in the past have involved more than $1B, including up to $16B.

Prior to its attorneys joining Cokinos | Young, Taylor was the managing member of Singleton Cooksey, a notable boutique firm with as many as 12 attorneys practicing in Houston for more than 40 years in the areas of real estate and corporate transactions, and commercial litigation.

Taylor has a history of active involvement in the community, including in youth sports and urban redevelopment projects.  He and his wife, Nancy, enjoy spending time at their second home in the North Carolina mountains.

Education

  • South Texas College of Law – J.D., 1978
  • University of Texas at Austin – B.A., 1973
    (also attended Washington & Lee University)

Recognitions & Distinctions

  • Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® for Real Estate Law (2025–2026)
  • AV Preeminent® Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell, the highest rating possible
  • Texas Bar Foundation, Fellow
  • Houston Bar Foundation, Fellow

Representative Experience

  • Development of multi-family projects (multiple cities and states), single-family residential projects (including master-planned communities and coastal and lake developments), office buildings, retail, condominiums, museums, banks, schools, and youth sports facilities
  • Miscellaneous work related to the foregoing and other transactions, including financing, ground leasing, formation of entities, tax-free exchanges, and legal opinions
  • Urban redevelopment (including public/private partnership, tax abatement, street abandonments)
  • Purchase and sale of raw land, income-producing commercial properties, and residential properties
  • Landlord/Tenant leasing
  • Multi-state acquisitions of portfolios of thousands of cell towers, and extensions of site rights through ground lease extensions and fee and easement acquisitions

Publications

  • Contributor, Chambers Real Estate Global Practice Guide 2025

Memberships and Affiliations

  • Houston Bar Association, Member
  • American Bar Association, Member
  • Stella Link Redevelopment Association, Past President
  • Past Director of Two National Banks

Admissions

  • State Bar of Texas (1978)

Community Involvement

  • West University Little League, Past President
  • West University Softball Association, Past Director

Katie D. Nash

Biography

Katie Nash is a principal in the Houston office of Cokinos | Young, where she is a member of the Corporate & Real Estate Transactions practice group. Katie’s practice primarily focuses on corporate governance, private equity matters, mergers and acquisitions, and ongoing general representation to clients regarding businesses of all types, where she advises on all aspects of the corporate life cycle from formation through growth, reorganization, restructuring, and finally to winding up. Katie also represents clients in commercial and residential real estate transactions, debt and equity financing, employment issues, complex business contract negotiations and related transactional matters.

Education

  • St. Mary’s University School of Law – J.D., 2013
    • Editorial Board, Mary’s Law Journal, Volume 44
  • University of Texas at Austin – B.A. English, 2009

Recognitions & Distinctions

  • Recognized in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America for Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law, and Real Estate Law (2024–2025)

Representative Experience

  • Represented various clients in the formation of limited liability corporations, nonprofit corporations, and other corporate entities.
  • Represented various clients in asset and equity acquisitions and sales
  • Represented client as seller of company assets for $4.5 million
  • Represented client as purchaser in a joint venture buyout for $15 million
  • Represented various in preparation of financing documents
  • Prepared and revised proprietary forms for clients for the leasing and acquisition of real property
  • Represented both landlords and tenants in drafting and negotiation various lease spaces

Memberships & Affiliations

  • Houston Bar Association
  • Texas Young Lawyers Association
  • Texas Exes

Admissions

  • State Bar of Texas

Kathleen E. Barrett Madere

Biography

Kathleen Barrett Madere is an attorney in the Houston office of Cokinos | Young. Her practice is primarily focused on resolving complex construction and commercial disputes through litigation and arbitration. Kathleen has handled construction disputes involving multi-million dollar residences, pipelines and compressor stations, retail and warehousing facilities, bridges, and other commercial and industrial projects. Kathleen also has experience with employment matters. Kathleen was a significant contributor to the 2020 and 2021 Case Law Update, presented at the annual construction law conference in San Antonio, Texas. Kathleen also co-authored a paper for the HBA Construction Law Section titled “Fraud, Construction, and the Texas Property Code.”

Education

  • University of Texas School of Law – J.D., 2020
  • Texas State University – B.A. English, 2017

Recognitions and Distinctions

  • Recognized in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America for Commercial Litigation, Construction Law, and Litigation – Construction (2024–2026)
  • Named a Texas Super Lawyers® Rising Star in Construction Litigation by Thomson Reuters (2023–2025)
    The top 2.5% of attorneys in the state who are 40 or younger, or in practice for 10 years or less

Representative Experience

  • Second-chair trial experience successfully defending against allegations of mechanical failures and breach of contract in a jury trial.
  • Successfully achieved summary judgment in a high-value pipeline dispute involving mineral lien rights.
  • Obtained favorable arbitration outcome for a subcontractor/supplier in a multi-million dollar construction dispute involving claims of breach of contract, non-payment, and delay.
  • Obtained favorable outcome in large-scale dispute involving flooding and alleged negligence of developers engaged in business along Texas waterways.
  • Obtained favorable settlement for a large company in a trade secret dispute in federal court.

Memberships & Affiliations

  • Texas Bar Association: Construction Law Section
  • Texas Bar Association: Women and the Law Section

Admissions

  • State Bar of Texas
  • Oregon State Bar
  • United States District Courts: Eastern and Southern Districts of Texas

Darrell W. Taylor

Biography

Darrell Taylor is a Principal in the Houston office of Cokinos | Young, where he is a member of the Corporate & Real Estate Transactions practice group.

After practicing for more than twenty-five years, Darrell has an extensive history of supervising and documenting a multitude of transactional matters for large public companies as well as smaller private ventures. His areas of expertise are:

  • Mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, investments
  • Debt and equity financings
  • Contract and commercial matters
  • Corporate governance and Board of Directors matters

Education

  • University of Texas School of Law – J.D., with honors
  • University of Texas at Austin – B.B.A Finance, with honors

Recognitions & Distinctions

  • Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® for Corporate Law and Real Estate Law (2008–2026)

Representative Experience

Served as lead M&A counsel for:

  • Lyondell Chemical in its $13 billion acquisition by Access Industries
  • Halliburton in its $2.4 billion IPO and split-off to its stockholders of its KBR subsidiary
  • Pennzoil Products in its $1.6 billion combination with Quaker State
  • PennzEnergy in its $4.7 billion merger with Devon
  • Pennzoil-Quaker State in its $1.8 billion acquisition by Shell Oil
  • BP in its sale of Altura oil and gas properties and assets to Occidental Petroleum for $1.8 billion
  • Pennzoil in its $2.1 billion investment in Chevron
  • Pennzoil in its $1.5 billion acquisition of oil and gas properties from Chevron
  • Pennzoil in its $440 million investment in Burlington Resources
  • Pennzoil in its $250 million acquisition of Facet Enterprises
  • Purolator Products in its $250 million acquisition by Mark IV Industries

Served as supervising debt and equity financing counsel for:

  • Halliburton – equity and debt issuances and debt exchanges in multiple offerings of over $4 billion
  • Pennzoil – equity and debt issuances and debt exchanges in multiple offerings of over $4 billion
  • Pennzoil-Quaker State – debt issuances in multiple offerings of over $1 billion
  • Equistar Chemical – debt issuances in multiple offerings of over $2 billion
  • Lyondell Chemical – debt issuances in multiple offerings of over $3 billion
  • LyondellBasell Industries – debt issuance of $2.7 billion
  • Millennium Chemical – debt exchanges of over $500 million

Served as a supervising compliance and SEC counsel for:

  • KBR
  • Halliburton
  • Hydril
  • Pennzoil
  • Pennzoil-Quaker State
  • PennzEnergy
  • Purolator Products
  • Lyondell Chemical
  • LyondellBasell Industries
  • Group 1 Automotive

Served as supervising counsel on IPOs and going public transactions for:

  • LyondellBasell Industries N.V.
  • KBR
  • Lehman Brothers as lead underwriter – W&T Offshore, Inc.
  • Lehman Brothers as lead underwriter – ATP Oil & Gas Corporation
  • Merrill Lynch as lead underwriter – Energy Partners, Ltd.
  • Hydril Company
  • Equistar Chemical
  • Pennzoil-Quaker State
  • Cornell Companies
  • Purolator Products

Major Accomplishments

Halliburton:  Acted as lead securities and financing lawyer for a series of related transactions for Halliburton, including debt and equity financings of over $3 billion to fund asbestos trusts for subsidiaries in Chapter 11 proceedings; followed by separation of KBR engineering, procurement and construction business and related subsidiaries; and KBR’s subsequent $2.4 billion initial public offering and tax-free split-off to shareholders.

Pennzoil:  Supervised the legal representation of Pennzoil Company in reinvestment of $3 billion litigation settlement, including $215 million acquisition of Co-Enerco, $440 million investment in Burlington Resources, and $2.1 billion investment in Chevron; followed by

  • $1.5 billion acquisition of oil and gas properties from Chevron
  • separation of Pennzoil upstream oil and gas business into PennzEnergy and subsequent $4.7 billion merger with Devon
  • going public transaction and $1.6 billion combination of Quaker State and Pennzoil downstream business to form Pennzoil-Quaker State and subsequent $1.8 billion divestiture to Shell Oil

Philip M. Kinkaid

Biography

For over 30 years, Philip has helped clients structure, negotiate, and close real estate and business transactions.

Philip’s real estate practice has primarily focused on acquisitions and divestitures of commercial and industrial real property, leasing transactions (including ground leases and sale-leasebacks), and development projects.  He has assisted clients with many types of real estate, including multifamily properties, shopping centers, office buildings, industrial facilities, ranches, university and municipal properties, and timberland and other unimproved land.

Philip has also represented clients in a broad variety of other business transactions.  In private M&A transactions, he has represented private-equity clients in platform and add-on acquisitions, as well as strategic buyers seeking to enhance their industry position; he has also represented the owners of numerous companies being sold.  He has helped structure and form a wide variety of joint ventures, including for construction projects, energy ventures, and major infrastructure developments.  Philip has significant experience with limited liability companies, S corporations, and other business entities in forming start-up companies, restructuring existing businesses, and preparing for generational ownership changes. Philip also assists clients in navigating the complex requirements of the new Corporate Transparency Act.

Philip’s clients have included general and specialty contractors, real estate developers, upstream and midstream energy companies, fabricators, distributors, PE funds, investors, professional firms, and non-profits, among many others.  In each case, Philip takes care to ensure his client understands the legal risks and benefits of the transaction.  Many clients are experts in their business but novices in major business transactions.  Clients who have never sold a business before, for example, may be understandably confused by the complex legal and contractual jargon in a typical business-sale agreement.  Philip knows how to translate those terms and concepts into plain English and explain their real-world significance and consequences.  He also helps clients efficiently navigate the transactional process, minimize delays, and best address issues as they arise.

Prior to joining his first firm, Vinson & Elkins, in 1985, Philip served as a judicial law clerk to Hon. Malcolm R. Wilkey of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.

Education

  • University of Virginia School of Law – J.D., 1984
    • Order of the Coif
    • Articles Development Editor, Virginia Law Review
  • Tulane University – B.A. History, summa cum laude, 1981

Recognitions & Distinctions

  • AV Preeminent® Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell, the highest rating possible
  • Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® for Real Estate Law (2023–2026)

Representative Experience

 Real Estate Transactions

  • Represented multifamily property developer in separate sales of three Houston-area apartment complexes and acquisition of a tract for future multifamily development.
  • Represented the alumni association in ground leases in the heart of Texas A&M University campus for the development of a new park and alumni facility.
  • Represented specialty engineering firm in sale-leaseback of headquarters complex and other facilities for $39 million.
  • Represented a real estate developer in the development of a shopping center in Fort Bend County, Texas.
  • Represented a global energy company with respect to brownfield redevelopments of legacy industrial sites.

Business Transactions

  • Represented a major Texas highway contractor in its asset acquisition of another such highway contractor.
  • Represented a major commercial and residential waste collection business in Central Texas in the sale of its assets.
  • Represented the distributor of specialty industrial products in its equity acquisition of another such company, for $22 million, and in acquisitions of four smaller companies.
  • Represented a private equity fund in its platform acquisition of the equity of a national specialty contractor for $32 million.
  • Represented a light-industrial products and services company in its asset acquisition of a distributor of such products for $19 million.
  • Represented a provider of specialized retail services in its equity acquisition of a marketing company for $22 million.
  • Represented a private company in the contribution of its Eagle Ford shale energy properties in central Texas to a joint venture with a major institutional investor, in $300 million transaction.
  • Represented a major pipeline company in the consortium’s development of a cross-border natural gas pipeline from offshore Nova Scotia to the Boston area.

Publications

  • Contributor, Chambers Real Estate Global Practice Guide 2025

Memberships & Affiliations

  • State Bar of Texas: Business Law Section; Real Estate, Probate, & Trust Law Section
  • Houston Bar Association: Mergers & Acquisitions Section; Real Estate Section
  • American Bar Association: Business Law Section

Admissions

  • State Bar of Texas (1985)

Lauren S. Aldredge

Biography

Lauren S. Aldredge is a seasoned trial lawyer who brings strategic insight and courtroom experience to her clients across intellectual property, labor and employment, and housing rights matters. As Chair of Cokinos | Young’s Intellectual Property Practice Group, she leads a team of attorneys dedicated to protecting clients’ most valuable intangible assets—their innovations, brands, and creative works.

Lauren’s career has been shaped by her commitment to achieving the best possible outcomes for her clients, whether through vigorous trial advocacy or collaborative problem-solving. She has tried cases at every level, from state courts to federal district courts, and has successfully argued before appellate tribunals. Her trial experience spans jury and bench trials, as well as complex evidentiary hearings, and she approaches each matter with the meticulous preparation and persuasive advocacy that win cases.

Lauren is committed to giving back to her community and mentoring the next generation of lawyers. She maintains active involvement in bar associations and professional organizations dedicated to advancing her practice and access to justice. 

Education

  • University of Texas School of Law – J.D., with honors, 2011
  • Texas A&M University – B.S. Chemistry, 2006

Recognitions & Distinctions

  • Texas Bar Foundation Fellow
  • Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® for Construction Law (2026)
  • Named a Texas Super Lawyer in Civil Litigation: Defense by Thomson Reuters (2025)
    Fewer than 5% of attorneys in the state are selected annually
  • Recognized in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America for Intellectual Property Law, Litigation – Intellectual Property, and Litigation – Labor and Employment (2023–2025)
  • Named a Texas Super Lawyers® Rising Star in Civil Litigation by Thomson Reuters (2018–2021)
    The top 2.5% of attorneys in the state who are 40 or younger, or in practice for 10 years or less

Representative Experience

Lauren brings a proven track record across her practice areas:

  • Represents construction and start up clients in trademark and copyright disputes involving branding, marketing materials, and proprietary designs
  • Counsels employers through complex workforce restructurings and employment litigation involving confidential business information
  • Represents clients in litigation and administrative proceedings involving contracts, permitting, and federal civil rights claims for cities and other governmental entities.
  • Represents clients in contract and tort claims, including allegations of fraud and misrepresentation, tortious interference with a contract, and personal injury in cases involving private industries –from electric utilities to oil & gas to telecommunications to specialized manufacturing.
  • Represents public and private employers in employment litigation and pre-litigation administrative proceedings, including wage-hour disputes, and discrimination and harassment claims.
  • Outside general counsel for multiple housing authorities and apartment complexes, advising and handling all matters, including evictions, public information requests, Board governance, and directing housing policy.

Intellectual Property

  • Represents clients in protecting and enforcing patent portfolios, including technologies related to construction methods, design innovations, and emerging technologies.
  • Handles intellectual property litigation involving patent infringement, trademark and trade dress disputes, copyright enforcement, and trade secret misappropriation claims.
  • Successfully defends clients against infringement allegations and pursues claims to protect brand integrity and market position.
  • Counsels clients on the full spectrum of IP matters, including patent, trademark, and copyright prosecution and litigation.

Labor and Employment

  • Represents employers in labor and employment disputes involving trade secrets, noncompete agreements, discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wage and hour compliance, and wrongful termination claims.
  • Defends companies in federal and state courts and before administrative agencies, including the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Texas Workforce Commission.
  • Drafts and negotiates employment agreements, noncompete and non-solicitation provisions, and trade secret protections designed to safeguard proprietary information and key personnel.
  • Advises construction industry clients on workforce classification, prevailing wage compliance, and employment issues arising from multi-jurisdictional project staffing.

Housing Rights

  • Represents landlords, property owners, and housing authorities in disputes involving tenant relations, lease enforcement, fair housing compliance, and property access issues.
  • Serves as outside general counsel to multiple public housing authorities in the Central Texas area.
  • Advises clients on housing law matters involving board governance, regulatory compliance, and operational risk management.
  • Navigates complex issues at the intersection of housing regulations, governance requirements, and day-to-day property operations.

Speaking Engagements & Presentations

  • Adjunct Professor, University of Texas at Austin School of Law, Advocacy Skills and Theory — Since Fall 2021

Memberships & Affiliations

  • State Bar of Texas
  • Austin Bar Association
  • Austin Young Lawyers Association
  • University of Texas at Austin School of Law, Interscholastic Mock Trial Team Coach — Since 2013

Admissions

  • Registered Patent Attorney, U.S.P.T.O. (2012)
  • State Bar of Texas (2011)

Community Involvement

  • Serves as a Sexual Assault Victim Rights Advocate — SAFE Place Austin

J. Shannon Gatlin

Biography

Shannon Gatlin has been Board Certified in Labor and Employment Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization since 2014. Fewer than 1% of licensed Texas attorneys hold this particular certification. In his capacity as Principal, Shannon heads the firm’s Employment Law Practice Group, leading a team of talented labor and employment attorneys and litigators spread across the firm’s offices. Shannon began his legal career as a Briefing Attorney to Justice William J. Boyce of the Texas Fourteenth Court of Appeals in Houston. Shannon has extensive experience briefing cases before state and federal courts at both the trial and appellate levels, including the United States Supreme Court.

Shannon serves as a mediator for labor and employment cases throughout Texas, having recently obtained the designation of Candidate for Credentialed Mediator, Texas Mediator Credentialing Association, and is available to handle mediations statewide via remote means such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams. Shannon also serves as a member of the American Arbitration Association’s Panel of Employment Arbitrators, where he sits as a neutral party and decides employment law disputes between opposing parties who have chosen to arbitrate rather than go to court.

In addition, Shannon has served as a leader of legal writing and motions practice during his career, while also mentoring young attorneys and law clerks. Shannon has built upon his passions for employment law and mentoring attorneys by developing a novel practical skills course focused on drafting and negotiating employment agreements that he teaches as an Adjunct Professor at South Texas College of Law in Houston. Shannon has also written and presented regularly on a wide variety of employment law topics, ranging from best practices in hiring and promotions to dealing with employment issues related to COVID-19 to the intricacies of requests for medical leave and accommodations. Shannon has considerable experience speaking to clients’ workforces, employer groups, government panels, and trade associations nationwide at events and conventions, providing them with practical insights related to employment law issues relevant to them.

Shannon represents clients with labor and employment issues in both government agency actions and in litigation in state and federal courts nationwide. Shannon also plays a significant role in clients’ efforts to prevent lawsuits and to comply with state and federal employment laws. Prior to law school, Shannon spent seven years in the television news industry, working in the capacities of reporter, anchor, and director over the course of his broadcasting career. Shannon is happily married with two children and lives in Fulshear, Texas.

Education

  • Wake Forest University School of Law – J.D., 2008
  • Duke University – B.A., 1998

Recognitions & Distinctions

  • Recognized in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America for Labor and Employment Litigation and Labor and Employment Law – Management (2022–2023)

Speaking Engagements & Presentations

  • “New Protections for Pregnant & Nursing Workers,” 2023 Gulf Coast Symposium on HR Issues (Houston, TX), July 12, 2023
  • “Austin Wage Theft Ordinance Update,” ABC Central Texas Chapter Legal Series (Austin, TX), February 9, 2023
  • “Employment Law Refresher,” AGC Houston webinar, August 11, 2022
  • “How Much Leave is Too Much Leave, Legally Speaking?” 2021 AGC Construction HR & Training Professionals Conference (St. Louis, MO), October 14, 2021
  • Adjunct Professor for LAW 569 – Employment Agreements: Basics, Drafting, & Negotiation; South Texas College of Law, Fall 2020 (Houston, TX)
  • “Employment Law Refresher,” AGC Houston webinar, August 5, 2021
  • “How Much Leave is Too Much Leave, Legally Speaking?” 2021 Gulf Coast Symposium on HR Issues (Houston, TX), August 4, 2021
  • Adjunct Professor for LAW 569 – Employment Agreements: Basics, Drafting, & Negotiation; South Texas College of Law, Fall 2020 & Fall 2021 (Houston, TX)
  • “COVID-19 Legal Issues in the Construction Industry” (panel presentation); Second Annual AGC Houston Employment Practices & Safety Committees Joint Conference, (Houston, TX) December 3, 2020
  • “Back to School & FFCRA Paid Leave,” Webinar (co-hosted with M. Wilson Stoker), August 21, 2020.
  • “Drug Testing in the Age of Marijuana & Opioids,” Inaugural AGC Houston Employment Practices & Safety Committees Joint Conference (Houston, TX), October 25, 2019
  • “When Should HR Get Legal Involved?” 2019 Gulf Coast Symposium on HR Issues (Houston, TX), May 16, 2019
  • “A Fleet Safety Manager’s Guide to Surviving Fleet Safety-Related Lawsuits,” 2016 Fleet Safety Conference (Schaumberg, IL), July 19, 2016
  • “Wage & Overtime Changes You Need to Know: Taking Care of Business and Working Overtime,” Fulshear Area Chamber of Commerce (Fulshear, TX), July 13, 2016
  • “Employers’ Law 101: Which Employment Laws Apply to Me?” Cross Creek Ranch Resident Speaker Series (Fulshear, TX), March 28, 2015
  • “Case Update: Glatt v. Fox Searchlight Pictures, Inc. (S.D.N.Y. June 11, 2013),” Houston Bar Association Labor & Employment Law Section Luncheon (Houston, TX), July 8, 2013

Publications

  • “How Law Firms Can Make ‘Telework’ Work,” The Advocate (Vol. 93)
  • “Rebooting Employment Law Compliance Efforts in a COVID-19 World” (co-authored with M. Wilson Stoker), Construction News (June 2020)
  • “Getting Your I-9 House in Order,” Construction News (October 2018)
  • Quoted extensively in Andy Lundin, “How Fleets Should Handle Liability Exposure,” Fleet Financials (January-February 2017)
  • “Even Judges Make Mistakes: What Recent STAA Whistleblower Cases Can Teach Us,” Employment Law 360 (August 8, 2012)

Memberships & Affiliations

  • Candidate for Credentialed Mediator, Texas Mediator Credentialing Association
  • American Arbitration Association, Panel of Employment Arbitrators
  • State Bar of Texas, Labor & Employment Law Section
  • Adjunct Faculty, South Texas College of Law
  • Texas Bar Foundation, Fellow
  • ABC Houston Talent Practices Committee
  • AGC Houston Employment Practices Committee
  • Houston Bar Association Diversity & Inclusion Committee

Admissions

  • State Bar of Texas
  • United States District Courts: Northern, Eastern, and Southern Districts of Texas
  • United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit

Certifications

  • Board Certified in Labor & Employment Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization
  • Candidate for Credentialed Mediator, Texas Mediator Credentialing Association

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