Biography
Ariel “Ari” Perez is an associate in Jackson Walker’s Houston office, specializing in labor and employment law. She has successfully represented numerous Fortune 500 companies in labor and employment matters before federal and state courts and administrative agencies, including the DOJ, DOL, EEOC, TWC, and NLRB. Ari also conducts comprehensive audits of employee classifications and payroll records to ensure FLSA compliance and rectify potential wage and hour violations.
Ari’s expertise extends to traditional labor law, guiding clients through elections, defending against unfair practice charges, performing union avoidance training, and advising on labor management relations. She also represents federal contractors in OFCCP audits and affirmative action compliance.
Ari provides training and counsel to employers on best practices in employment law, covering:
- Reviewing and drafting employee handbooks and policies
- Hiring, performance management, and termination
- Conducting investigations related to employee misconduct, discrimination, harassment, or retaliation
- Assessing employee accommodation requests under the ADA
- Preventing discrimination, harassment, and retaliation claims
Ari’s clients span a wide range of industries, including energy, manufacturing, construction, retail, hospitality, staffing, securities, and healthcare.
Recently, Ari devoted a significant portion of her practice to helping employers navigate the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
She is a 2023 and 2024 Academy Fellow for the National Employment Law Council and a contributing author to the “Annual Report on EEOC Developments.”
During law school, Ari interned for the Honorable Sara L. Darrow, U.S. District Judge, Central District of Illinois. She served as the Administrative Editor for the Journal of Gender, Race & Justice and was an advocate and brief-writer for the Appellate Advocacy program.
Prior to joining Jackson Walker, Ariel was an associate at a global law firm specializing in labor and employment law.
Ari brings a practical perspective to her work, having previously served as a domestic violence advocate providing victims with advocacy, support, and care.
Additional Languages
Arabic, Spanish
Education
B.A., University of Iowa
- University Honors
- Alpha Kappa Delta
- Order of Omega
Arabic Language Institute in Fez, Fez, Morocco
J.D., University of Iowa College of Law
- Law Legal Opportunity Fellow
- Administrative Editor, Journal of Gender, Race & Justice
- Advocate, Brief writer, Appellate Advocacy
- Student Attorney, Citizen Lawyer Pro Bono Project
- Secretary, Hispanic/Latino Law Student Association
- Student Attorney, Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence
- Clinical Law Program, Immigration Clinic and Domestic Violence Clinic
Bar Admissions
Texas
Illinois
Court Admissions
U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals
U.S. District Court for the Southern, Western, Northern, and Eastern Districts of Texas
