Biography
Brooke Willard is an attorney in the Labor and Employment section of Jackson Walker’s Houston and Austin offices. Brooke advises and represents employers in all areas of labor and employment law, including matters involving discrimination, retaliation, sexual harassment, wage and hour disputes, and compensation disputes.
Brooke also specializes in COVID-19 counseling and compliance. She takes pride in delivering practical advice to employers, empowering them to navigate the many issues presented by the pandemic.
Prior to joining Jackson Walker, Brooke gained legal experience in Texas and around the world. Brooke’s diverse legal background gives her a unique perspective when approaching clients’ cases. Brooke lived in Kolkata, India for a year assisting the International Justice Mission legal team in the fight against modern day slavery, securing the freedom of young girls and the conviction of human traffickers. She went on to intern for the Honorable David Hittner of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas. Brooke then interned at the Harris County District Attorney’s Office, interviewing victims and witnesses, assisting prosecutors, and participating in plea negotiations.
Brooke was a Summer Associate with Jackson Walker in 2017.
Education
B.A., Plan II Honors, The University of Texas at Austin
J.D., cum laude, South Texas College of Law Houston
- Dean’s Scholar
- Federal Bar Association Blask Fellow, 2016
- Student Bar Association 1L Representative
Bar Admissions
Texas
Court Admissions
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
U.S. District Courts for the Northern and Southern Districts of Texas
Publications
- Co-Author, “The CDC Issues Revised Guidelines—Is It Time to Go to “No Mask Required”?,” Jackson Walker Insights & Resources (May 2021)
- Author, “Employer’s Choice: Extension of FFCRA Paid Leave,” Jackson Walker Labor & Employment e-Alert (March 2021)
- Co-Author, “Employers Face Unique Legal Questions During Pandemic,” Texas Lawyer (October 2020)
- Co-Author, “Frequently Asked Questions: Labor & Employment for Nonprofit Organizations,” Jackson Walker Insights & Resources (August 2020)
- Co-Author, “Navigating the Pandemic: An Employee’s Guide in Uncharted Waters,” The Houston Lawyer magazine (July 2020)
Speaking Engagements
- “What Do Revised CDC Guidelines Mean for the Workplace?,” Jackson Walker Fast Takes Podcast (May 2021)
“ - “COVID-Related Changes to Paid Sick Leave,” Jackson Walker Fast Takes Podcast (April 2021)
“ - “What Employers Should Know About the CDC’s Guidance for Fully Vaccinated People,” Jackson Walker Fast Takes Podcast (March 2021)
“ - “Primer for Nonprofits on Paid Employees, Volunteers, and Interns,” Jackson Walker Fast Takes Podcast (July 2020)
- “COVID-19: Returning to Work,” Jackson Walker Webinar (May 2020)
- Young Life volunteer at University of Texas at Austin
- Regents School of Austin Alumni Network Executive Committee member
- Texas4000 for Cancer alumni member
June 21, 2021
NewslettersLabor & Employment Dispatch: June 2021
The June 2021 issue of Jackson Walker’s Labor & Employment Dispatch features insights on recent diversity, equity, and inclusion-related bills, the Supreme Court’s ruling on the Affordable Care Act, OSHA’s Emergency Temporary Standard for workers in the healthcare industry, the American Rescue Plan Act’s premium assistance, EB-5 industry changes, and more.
May 20, 2021
Webinars“Avoiding Labor and Employment Nightmares: Strategies for Reducing Risk and Protecting Your Workforce”
View the Labor & Employment symposium sponsored by Jackson Walker and Insperity to keep up with the latest developments affecting employers. CLE, CPE, HRCI and SHRM credits are available.
May 18, 2021
PodcastsWhat Do Revised CDC Guidelines Mean for the Workplace?
~9 minutes | Before returning to pre-pandemic behavior in the workplace, Gary Fowler, Sara Harris, and Brooke Willard discuss some key issues for employees and employers to consider.
May 14, 2021
InsightsThe CDC Issues Revised Guidelines—Is It Time to Go to “No Mask Required”?
By Gary Fowler, Sara Harris, & Brooke Willard
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has announced revised guidance for persons who have been fully vaccinated. The CDC stated directly, “If you are fully vaccinated, you can resume activities that you did prior to the pandemic.” However, employers and employees feeling the urge to discard masks and social distancing rules should take a moment before rushing to do so.
May 12, 2021
NewslettersLabor & Employment Dispatch: May 2021
The May 2021 issue of Jackson Walker’s Labor & Employment Dispatch features insights on recent executive orders affecting employers, COVID-related changes to paid sick leave, morality clauses in talent contracts, and more.
April 2, 2021
PodcastsCOVID-Related Changes to Paid Sick Leave
~6 minutes | The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) extended employee paid sick leave due to COVID-related reasons through September 30, 2021. In addition, ARPA created three new qualifying reasons for when an employee can take this kind of leave.
March 25, 2021
InsightsEmployer’s Choice: Extension of FFCRA Paid Leave
By Brooke Willard | With the recent passage of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, employers opting to provide FFCRA paid leave may now receive tax credit reimbursements through September 30, 2021.
March 22, 2021
PodcastsWhat Employers Should Know About the CDC’s Guidance for Fully Vaccinated People
As we surpass over 100 million vaccine doses in the U.S. this week, many Americans are reaching “fully vaccinated” status. Brooke Willard discusses the recently issued CDC guidance on Interim Public Health Recommendations for Fully Vaccinated People and what employers can do as employees transition from unvaccinated to fully vaccinated.
October 19, 2020
InsightsEmployers Face Unique Legal Questions During Pandemic | Texas Lawyer
Houston attorneys Scott Fiddler and Brooke Willard identify some of the issues that have arisen and laws that are implicated as a result of the presence of this invisible threat in the workplace.
August 24, 2020
InsightsFrequently Asked Questions: Labor & Employment for Nonprofit Organizations
Jackson Walker attorneys highlight labor and employment topics as they relate to nonprofit organizations, including staff classification, wages and other compensation, the Fair Labor Standards Act, overtime pay, and employee benefits.