W. Gary Fowler

Partner, Dallas
214-953-5922
Practice Experience Recognition & Accolades Community Involvement Client Results
Practice Areas
Biography

Gary advises and defends his clients on labor and employment matters. His particular interests include executive compensation and contracts, covenants not to compete, and disability law. He provides emergency, “on the spot” advice for clients on employment crises requiring immediate attention. He represents employers in nationwide collective actions under the Fair Labor Standards Act.

Gary is recognized for his experience in the Americans with Disabilities Act and for his knowledge of covenants not to compete, which are particularly complex under Texas law. His clients include media companies, financial institutions, entertainment, healthcare companies, retailers, and insurance companies.

Gary is a frequent speaker on non-competition issues and employment law. He advises clients in specific difficult workplace situations, provides preventative services in employee handbooks, documentation, and in-house seminars, and prepares and analyzes employment contracts and related documents to protect his client’s interests. He has defended employers in discrimination, covenant not to compete, and employment contract cases. He defends clients in actions before the Department of Labor, the National Labor Relations Board, and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

Education

B.A., summa cum laude, Texas Christian University

J.D., Yale Law School

  • Law Clerk,  Hon. Sam D. Johnson, United States Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit, 1984-86
Bar Admissions

Texas, 1984

Court Admissions

United States Supreme Court

United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit

United States District Court for the Northern, Southern, Eastern and Western Districts of Texas


Board Certifications
Practice Experience
Recognition & Accolades
Community Involvement
Client Results

Practice Experience

Experienced in labor and employment issues, including:

  • Executive contracts
  • Covenants not to compete
  • Arbitration
  • Disability discrimination and public accommodations
  • Employment discrimination
  • Harassment and retaliation claims
  • Fair Labor Standards Act
  • Wage and hour

Representative Appellate and Published District Court Cases

  • Roberson v. Game Stop/Babbage’s, 152 Fed.Appx. 356, 2005 WL 2622977 (5th 2005)
  • Parkerson v. Orix Financial Services, Inc., 2007 WL 1667279 (11th 2007)
  • Thomas v. LTV Corp., 39 F.3d 611 (5th 1994)(preemption under LMRA)
  • Federal Exp. Corp. v. Dutschmann, 846 S.W.2d 282 (Tex.1993)
  • E.O.C. v. Boeing Services Intern., 968 F.2d 549 (5th Cir. 1992)
  • Oldham v. ORIX Financial Services, Inc., 2007 WL 530202 (N.D.Tex., February 21, 2007)
  • Hinds v. Orix Capital Markets, L.L.C., 2003 WL 22132791 (N.D.Tex., Sept. 11, 2003)
  • Prudential Ins. Co. of America v. Neal, 768 F.Supp. 195 (W.D.Tex.1991)
  • Burnet County Appraisal Dist. v. J.M. Huber Corp., 808 S.W.2d 613 (Tex.App. – Austin 1991, writ denied)
  • The Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White Inc.)
    • Employment Law – Management, 2006-2020
    • Labor Law – Management, 2006-2020
    • Litigation – Labor & Employment
    • Lawyer of the Year – Dallas, Employment Law – Management, 2017
    • Lawyer of the Year – Dallas, Labor Law – Management, 2020
  • Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers by Thomson Reuters, 2003-2019
  • Best Lawyers in Dallas, D Magazine, 2008-2009, 2011-2013, 2018
  • Harry S. Truman Scholar for the State of Texas, 1979
  • Director, Community Service Fund Board, Dallas Bar Association
  • Employment Matters, Certified Arbitrator, American Arbitration Association
  • Media Law Resource Committee
  • Board of Governors, Dallas Symphony Orchestra
  • Greater Dallas Youth Orchestra
    • Former Chair
    • Former Director
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