Joseph W. Gagnon

Overview Recent Experience Credentials Recognitions Affiliations Insights Overview Joe Gagnon is a Partner in the firms Houston office. He is an experienced trial attorney who defends employers in litigation and arbitration filed in every region of Texas. Joes broad experience includes the defense of discrimination and discharge claims brought under Title VII, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), and whistleblower statutes. He routinely defends state law claims including workers comp retaliation, breach of contract, fraud, defamation, malicious prosecution, and assault. Joe also represents several Texas-based non-subscribing employers against claims of negligence, and associated benefits claims filed under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA). He frequently provides preventive services to reduce the likelihood of litigation, including general consultation, management and employee training, development of employment policies, and consultation regarding legislative current events and judicial trends. Recent Experience Experience Litigation of various matters avoided with early engagement and dialogue, saving clients from incurring substantial litigation costs. Credentials Education J. D., 1993, University of Texas School of Law B. S., 1990, cum laude, Texas Christian University Bar Admissions Texas Court Admissions U. S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit U. S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas U. S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas U. S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas U. S. District Court for the Western District of Texas U. S. Supreme Court Recognitions Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America (2021 - 2025) AV Peer Review rating with Martindale-Hubbell Affiliations Professional Activities General Counsel, Board of Directors, HR Houston (2024 - present) Member, Houston Bar Association Member, Texas Association of Defense Counsel Member, State Bar of Texas - Labor and Employment Section Member, State Bar of Texas - Appellate Section Community Activities Youth sports coach University of Texas Law Mentor Insights Insights09/01/23 Workplace Law Update: 10 Essential Items on Your September To-Do List Alba V. Aviles, Brian Balonick, Steven M. Bernstein, Raeann Burgo, Kathleen McLeod Caminiti, Michael D. Carrouth, Charles S. Caulkins, Jessica D. Causgrove, Steven R. Cupp, Patrick M. Dalin, J. Micah Dickie, Joseph W. Gagnon, Lonnie D. Giamela, Marty Heller, Brett Holubeck, Wendy Hughes, Corina Johnson, Jennifer S. Kiesewetter, Emily N. Litzinger, Todd B. Logsdon, Todd A. Lyon, Eleanor F. Miller, George A. Reeves III, Deniz Uzel Reilly, J. Hagood Tighe, Travis Vance, Melanie L. Webber, Sheila M. Abron Read more Insights08/21/2310 Biggest Takeaways for Employers as Federal Appeals Court Expands Scope of Anti-Bias Law Steven R. Cupp, Joseph W. Gagnon Read more Insights04/03/23 Manufacturing Employers Should Pay Attention to Severance Agreement Restrictions Despite Booming Times Joseph W. Gagnon Read more News02/02/21 Partner Talks to the Houston Chronicle About COVID-Related Lawsuits in Texas Joseph W. Gagnon Read more News08/20/20 Fisher Phillips Attorneys Receive Top Honors in Best Lawyers in America©Michael V. Abcarian, Stephanie R. Alexander, William E. Altman, Christopher Alvarez, Joseph W. Ambash, Craig R. Annunziata, Davis C. Bae, Gregory D. Ballew, Kelsey E. Schiappacasse, Cheryl L. Behymer, Clarence M. Belnavis, Steven M. Bernstein, Suzanne K. Bogdan, D. Albert Brannen, Kathleen McLeod Caminiti, Jocelyn Campanaro, Christopher J. Capone, Michael D. Carrouth, Charles S. Caulkins, Lyle M. Chan, J. Randall Coffey, Theresa M. Connolly, Laurel K. Cornell, Steven R. Cupp, Kevin J. Dalton, J. Micah Dickie, Burton F. Dodd, David B. Dornak, Benjamin Dudek, Todd Alan Ewan, Daniel E. Farrington, Brian J. Finucane, Todd A. Fredrickson, Andrew Froman, Joseph W. Gagnon, Brian J. Gershengorn, Lauren G. Goetzl, Rosemary S. Gousman, Michael R. Greco, Paul Greco, Rick Grimaldi, Greg Grisham, Lori A. Guner, Raymond C. Haley III, Edward F. Harold, Jon Vieve D. Hill, Christopher C. Hoffman, James R. Holland II, Christine E. Howard, Clyde H. Jacob III, David S. Jones, Matthew R. Korn, Danielle Krauthamer Zobel, Edwina C. Kye, Arthur V. Lambert, Terry E. Lardakis, Aymara Ledezma, Courtney Leyes, Karl R. Lindegren, Steven M. Loewengart, Reyburn W. Lominack III, Nathan K. Low, Darin L. Mackender, Scott M. Mahoney, Jeffrey E. Mandel, C. F. W. Manning II, Howard A. Mavity, James J. McDonald Jr., Phillips L. McWilliams, Richard A. Millisor, Stephen C. Mitchell, Danielle Hultenius Moore, R. Henry Moore, Timothy J. Murphy, Gregory V. Murray, Warren L. Nelson, Steven M. Nobil, Daniel P. OBrien, James Patrick, Jonathan P. Pearson, Regina A. Petty, Ann Margaret Pointer, James C. Polkinghorn, John M. Polson, Keith M. Pyburn Jr., Roger K. Quillen, Melody L. Rayl, Thomas Paul Rebel, Mark J. Ricciardi, Ashton M. Riley, Stephen J. Roppolo, Jeffrey A. Savarise, Susan M. Schaecher, Cheryl L. Schreck, David E. Schreiner, Stephen Scott, Timothy H. Scott, Joseph P. Shelton, Craig P. Siegenthaler, Jeffrey D. Smith, John W. Stapleton, Shanon R. Stevenson, Terri R. Stewart, Christopher P. Stief, Cathy M. Stutin, Douglas R. Sullenberger, James Sullivan, Martin F. Thompson, Megan Reese USellis, Pavneet Singh Uppal, Teresa Valderrama, Joshua H. Viau, Timothy J. Weatherholt, Jeff Weintraub, Alexander A. Wheatley, Benton N. Wood, Robert Yonowitz, George D. Adams, Richard R. Meneghello, Hannah Sweiss, Robert M. Robenalt, Todd A. Lyon, Todd B. Logsdon, J. Hagood Tighe, Danielle S. Urban, Sheila M. Abron, Kristin R. B. White, Michelle I. Anderson Read more Publication08/17/20 What Nonsubscriber Healthcare Providers Need to Know About the Litigation Risk Posed by Workplace Exposure to COVID-19 Joseph W. Gagnon Read more Publication02/12/20 Fifth Circuit Case Provides Guidance for Employers in the Healthcare Industry Joseph W. Gagnon Read more Publication12/03/19 Houston Partner Recommends Four Steps for Investigating Anonymous Workplace Harassment Joseph W. Gagnon Read more Event11/01/18 Letting Go and Looking Ahead: Best Practices for Employee Terminations Joseph W. Gagnon, A. Kevin Troutman Read more Event09/16/16 From Start to Finish: Managing Employees Without Finishing at the Courthouse Joseph W. Gagnon, Stephen J. Roppolo, A. Kevin Troutman, Teresa Valderrama Read more View All