Fisher & Phillips Expands Houston Office with the Addition of Two Attorneys

Houston, TX, September 30, 2015 --(PR.com)-- Fisher & Phillips LLP announced today that Teresa Valderrama and Jeff Barnes have joined the firm as partners in the Houston office. The addition of veteran attorneys Valderrama and Barnes is part of the firm’s strategy to continue to expand its presence in Texas and solidify its position as a leading law firm for employers in the state. Fisher & Phillips is a national, management-side labor and employment law firm with three Texas offices, located in Houston, San Antonio and Dallas.

Stephen J. Roppolo, managing partner of the firm’s Houston and San Antonio offices, said: “Teresa and Jeff bring the extensive knowledge and sought-after experience we look for from attorneys who are interested in joining the firm. The depth of their experience and subject matter expertise will greatly benefit clients.”

Valderrama comes to Fisher & Phillips with 27 years of experience representing employers in all aspects of workplace law, including corporate investigations and compliance, wage & hour collective action defense, and defense of all manner of discrimination, workplace harassment, and other work-related claims. Valderrama's experience ranges from advice and counsel regarding trade secret and business-asset protection, to defense of SOX and other whistleblower claims, to litigating all manner of common law contract and tort claims arising in the workplace. Valderrama, who has been certified in Labor & Employment Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization since 1993, is one of seven employment lawyers in Texas – and one of only two women – ranked by Chambers USA in its top tier of employment practitioners in the state. In addition, she is recognized again in 2015 by The Best Lawyers in America, which had named Valderrama its 2014 Houston Labor Law - Management "Lawyer of the Year." Valderrama has been ranked a “Top Notch” attorney by Texas Lawyer (a five-year designation), and also has been honored repeatedly as a Texas "Super Lawyer." Valderrama is elected to the Texas State Bar Labor and Employment Law Section Executive Council, representing management-side lawyers in the Section. Valderrama received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Rice University and her law degree from University of Houston Law Center. She is licensed to practice in Texas.

“A law firm must meet a high standard for me to consider joining, as my clients expect top-tier service and I want to be with a firm that supports this standard,” said Valderrama. “Fisher & Phillips exceeds my expectations and I am thrilled to join such a well-regarded firm.”

Jeff Barnes is board certified in Labor & Employment Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and has been included in Texas Super Lawyers - Rising Stars every year since 2007. Barnes represents employers in all aspects of labor and employment law.

He has developed a special expertise in cases involving violations of non-compete agreements, theft of trade secrets, and unfair competition, and he is a frequent speaker on these issues. Barnes also has significant experience representing employers in FLSA collective actions and advising clients regarding wage and hour compliance. Barnes received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Washington and Lee University and his law degree from the University of Virginia School of Law. He is licensed to practice in Texas.

“Fisher & Phillips provides each client with superior services and dependability, both of which are of the highest importance to me,” said Barnes. “I wanted to find a firm that sets the bar as high as I do and that will support me in fostering my client relationships. I’ve found that firm in Fisher & Phillips, and I think my clients will be the better for it.”

About Fisher & Phillips LLP (www.laborlawyers.com)
Fisher & Phillips LLP is a national law firm committed to providing practical business solutions for employers’ workplace legal problems. Labor and employment law is all the firm does, offering deep and broad knowledge and experience in the area of the law the attorneys know best. Fisher & Phillips attorneys help clients avoid legal problems, are dedicated to providing exceptional client service, and are there when you need them. The firm has 330 attorneys in 31 offices. In addition to Houston, the offices are in Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Cleveland, Columbia, Columbus, Dallas, Denver, Fort Lauderdale, Gulfport, Irvine, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Louisville, Memphis, New Jersey, New Orleans, Orlando, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Portland, San Antonio, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, Tampa, and Washington, D.C.