Biography

Danielle E. Needham's practice primarily consists of counseling clients and representing employers in a wide variety of state and federal labor and employment law matters, including disputes and claims arising under the Fair Labor Standards Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Acts of 1964 and 1991, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Americans With Disabilities Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, the anti-retaliation provisions of the Texas Workers' Compensation Act, ERISA and other state and federal labor and employment statutes.

Ms. Needham has experience in advising employers and businesses on various employment issues, such as hiring and disciplining employees, compensation, employee benefit plans, insurance benefits disputes, management training, employment handbooks, employment contracts, independent contractor agreements, reductions in force, covenants not-to-compete and the protection of confidential and proprietary information. Ms. Needham's experience also includes labor arbitration, collective bargaining issues and defense of unfair labor practice charges.  Ms. Needham has also represented clients in commercial litigation and has handled a variety of civil appellate matters in state appellate court.

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Representative Matters

• Represented defendant drilling company in workers' compensation retaliation case. After jury trial, defense verdict.


• Represented petrochemical company in multiple labor arbitrations for wrongful termination and other disputes arising under collective bargaining agreements. Grievances denied.


• Represented multinational chemical company in federal court proceeding to vacate arbitration award pertaining to the company's 401(k) and Savings Plan based on ERISA.


• Represented defendant tank car manufacturer in suit for strict liability based on a design defect, negligence and breach of warranty. Summary judgment granted on the basis of federal preemption.


• Represented defendant insurance company in age and gender discrimination case. Summary judgment granted and affirmed by Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.


• Represented defendant international company in suit for breach of fiduciary duty, fraud, intentional infliction of emotional, distress, negligence, quantum meruit, retaliation, tortious interference with contract, tortious interference with business relationship and promissory estoppel. Summary judgment granted, affirmed by Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals and certiorari denied by the United States Supreme Court.


• Represented defendant drilling company in Section 1981 discrimination case on the basis of race and age. Summary judgment granted and affirmed by Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.


• Successfully resolved case involving alleged wrongful denial of life insurance benefits for defendant energy services company.


• Successfully resolved alleged slip and fall/negligence case for defendant credit union.


• Successfully resolved FLSA case for alleged improper classification and unpaid overtime for defendant natural gas company.


• Assisted international global security and aerospace company with union avoidance and work continuation planning for potential work stoppages as a result of labor disputes.

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Organization Membership

Ms. Needham is a member of the State Bar of Texas, the Texas Bar Foundation, the Tarrant County Bar Association, the Labor and Employment and Appellate sections of the Tarrant County Bar Association and the Tarrant County Young Lawyers Association. She is also a member of the Bench Bar Committee for the Tarrant County Bar Association, the Eldon Mahon Inn of Court, Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce's Vision Fort Worth and the Texas Tech Alumni Association/DFW Chapter.

Community Involvement

Ms. Needham has served on the Board of Directors for Campfire USA First Texas Council since 2007. In 2008, Ms. Needham was selected as a member of Campfire USA First Texas Council's Executive Committee and served as Chair of the Support Services Task Force for several years. Ms. Needham also serves on the Texas Association of Business/Tarrant County Chapter Board of Directors as Secretary/Hospitality Chair and is a participant in the Executive Lock-Up for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

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Peer Recognition

Ms. Needham has been named one of Tarrant County's "Top Attorneys" by Fort Worth, Texas magazine numerous times. She has also been named a "Rising Star" (2008, 2010-2011) by Thomson Reuters. In 2008, Ms. Needham was the recipient of the Board Chairman's Award from Campfire USA First Texas Council in recognition of her service to the organization and its chairman. In 2010, Ms. Needham was named one of Fort Worth Business Press's "40 Under 40."

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Speeches / Publications

Ms. Needham is a frequent author and speaker. Her articles and presentations include the following:

Links to Publications

• The ADA Amendments Act of 2008 Expands Scope of Protection under the ADA
• RECENT FMLA DEVELOPMENTS: The National Defense Authorization Act of 2008, the Proposed FMLA Regulations, and a Brief Primer on the EEOC's Guidelines Concerning Caregivers
• Employer's Update - Fall 2005

More about Danielle E. Needham: Biography | Experience | Involvement | Recognition | News

Latest News

• Jackson Walker Congratulates Its 2012 Fort Worth "Top Attorneys"
• Jackson Walker Congratulates Its 2011 Fort Worth "Top Attorneys"
• Jackson Walker Congratulates Its 21 "Rising Stars"
• Jackson Walker Elects Ten New Partners
• Jackson Walker Congratulates Its 2010 Fort Worth "Top Attorneys"
• Danielle Needham Honored in Fort Worth "40 Under 40" List
• Jackson Walker Congratulates Its 31 "Rising Stars"
• Jackson Walker Congratulates Its 2009 Fort Worth "Top Attorneys"

More about Danielle E. Needham: Biography | Experience | Involvement | Recognition | Speeches / Publications |