Trial-Ready Houston Employment Attorney

When your livelihood is at risk, you need more than advice; you need action. Executives, managers, and employees across Houston turn to The Craighead Law Firm when workplace disputes threaten their careers. Led by Houston employment lawyer Clayton Craighead, our firm focuses exclusively on employment law at both the state and federal levels.

With decades of combined experience, we fight for employees facing wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and wage disputes. We know how Texas employers and corporations defend themselves, and we use that knowledge to protect the people who trusted them.

employment lawyer houston

Why Hire Our Employment Law Firm?

Proven Track Record: Every client we represent rates us 5 out of 5 stars.
Employment Law Focus: We dedicate our practice to employment law—nothing else.
Aggressive Advocacy: We are trial-ready and not afraid to face employers in court, negotiations, or before state and federal agencies.
Accessible Representation: We offer confidential consultations, and you pay nothing unless we win compensation for you.

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Employment Law Services in Houston

We represent employees in cases involving:

Wrongful termination and discharge
Discrimination (race, gender, age, religion, disability, pregnancy)
Sexual harassment and hostile work environments
Retaliation for reporting misconduct
Overtime and wage disputes under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) violations
Workers’ compensation retaliation
Non-compete and non-disclosure agreements

Clayton Craighead, #1 Houston Employment Lawyer represents employees wronged by the actions of their supervisors and companies. Schedule a consultation with our team to learn more about your legal options.

When to Contact an Employment Lawyer

You should reach out as soon as you suspect your employer has violated your rights. Examples include:

Being harassed, discriminated against, or retaliated against
Facing termination that feels unjust or illegal
Being pressured to sign away your rights in a workplace agreement
Losing benefits or wages that your contract or the law entitles you to

The earlier you act, the stronger your case. Employers often use the delay to build their defense.

How We Work With Clients

Talking to us is simple:

1. Submit your details through our contact form.
2. An attorney will call you directly.
3. We will review your situation and explain your legal options.

A Houston Employment Lawyer Employees Trust

Attorney Clayton Craighead has built a reputation as one of Houston’s leading employment attorneys. He has represented employees against some of the largest corporations in Texas. His commitment is clear: defend workers, hold employers accountable, and secure fair results.

Our firm represents clients before the EEOC, Texas Workforce Commission, and the U.S. Department of Labor. Whether you are an executive protecting your career or an employee fighting for fair pay, we stand ready to fight for you.

Our Practice Areas

Overtime, Unpaid Wages, and FLSA

When your employer owes due wages, you can pursue unpaid overtime. However, unpaid wages include failure to pay minimum wage, failure to pay, and wage theft. Each of these claims takes on different forms.

Houston-based employees have a path to pursue a claim when working with an employment lawyer. We work with you to identify the most appropriate strategy to pursue your best interests.

For instance, when you work 50 hours at a construction job but are only paid for 35 hours, this is an example of wage theft. On the other hand, a minimum wage violation could occur when a subcontractor’s team is paid a daily rate instead of an hourly minimum wage.

Additionally, if you work over 40 hours in a week as a non-exempt employee, your company should pay time and a half for each hour worked beyond the 40-hour limit.

These claims and others arise in a variety of ways. For example, if your employer misclassifies your job or asks you to work off the clock, you might be entitled to unpaid wages.

Contact our employment attorneys today to schedule a consultation.

Wrongful Termination

In Texas, the State follows a doctrine of at-will employment. For employees, this means termination at will for any reason or no reason whatsoever. However, there are legal restrictions to at-will employment. Federal law and state law provide employees with protection against wrongful termination.

Americans with Disabilities Act. This act prohibits the termination of an employee based on their disability.
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act prohibits employee termination based on race, skin color, sex, religion, or national origin.

Additionally, your employer cannot fire you if it violates your contract, whether this is a collective bargaining agreement or an employment agreement.

Frequently, contracts specify particular employment terms or offer guidance regarding the company’s policies regarding termination. This contract binds the employer to follow the terms outlined in the document.

If you believe you were wrongfully terminated from your position, contact the Houston employment attorneys at The Craighead Law Firm to schedule a consultation.

Sexual Harassment Cases

Our Houston employment attorneys understand the emotional toll that sexual harassment puts someone through. This behavior is prohibited per the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Texas Labor Code. Any employee can be a victim of sexual harassment, with behaviors including:

Lewd gestures
Inappropriate comments
Touching and groping
Assault
Rape

Often, these cases involve someone in a position of authority, such as a supervisor or manager. However, it is also prevalent among coworkers, clients, and customers. Quid pro quo harassment, for example, occurs when someone with power in the work environment intimates that employment is conditional upon submission to their sexual advances.

When a restaurant manager suggests that a waitress sleep with them to gain a better shift, this constitutes quid pro quo harassment. With a Houston employment lawyer, you have an advocate to fight on your behalf and hold these abusers accountable.

Hostile Work Environments

While sexual harassment is often the foundation of hostile work environment cases, it is not the only means of creation. Any protected class characteristic can be the basis for a hostile work environment, including sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, race, religion, disability, age, military service, or national origin.

A typical example is racist remarks and gestures that escalate into threatening behavior. When a supervisor calls someone of Middle Eastern descent a terrorist, it may be the basis for a claim of hostile work environment harassment. Similarly, if coworkers target you because you are in a wheelchair and mock your ability to work, this constitutes disability discrimination and can escalate to a hostile work environment case.

In these situations, you must take immediate action. No one deserves bullying, harassment, or ridicule because they are part of a protected class. Contact our Houston employment attorneys today to schedule a consultation.

These cases sometimes result in heightened retaliation from the employer, so you must have an advocate on your side. Our experienced Houston employment lawyer is ready and able to guide you through this process.

Employer Retaliation

Typically, retaliation occurs in the work environment when an employer takes action against an employee who engages in a protected activity. Per Texas law and Federal law, employees have protection against retaliation, and you have the right to hold your employer accountable.

As your advocate, our Houston employment lawyer helps workers file claims against an employer when they retaliate because you:

Make a complaint about discrimination
Involve HR or participate in an investigation of discrimination
Report workplace safety violations
File a wage and hour claim against your employer
Engage in other protected activities or conduct

For instance, when the ADA covers an employer, it is illegal for them to retaliate against an employee who requests reasonable accommodations for a disability. The adverse actions that employers take against employees come in many forms. They often include being passed over for a promotion, termination, or failure to pay a bonus.

Leave & Benefits

When workers need time off for family or medical reasons, they should be able to take it. The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) provides eligible workers with up to 12 weeks of leave for certain reasons each year. Furthermore, the law allows you to take these 12 weeks off at once or in smaller blocks.

If the FMLA covers your employer, you can take leave to deal with severe medical conditions, care for a loved one, or go through the adoption or birth of a child. The FMLA also offers protected leave to employees with a spouse, child, or parent who engages in qualifying military activities. However, you must meet certain criteria to be eligible for FMLA leave.

Our Houston employment lawyer is ready to advocate for you when you believe you are due FMLA benefits denied by your employer. Together, we can hold your employer accountable for their actions.

Workplace Safety Violations

Houston is rife with dangerous workplaces. When your employer does not maintain a safe environment, you have the right to hold them accountable. Our Houston employment lawyer represents workers who suffer from workplace safety violations.

Various laws support employees’ right to have a healthy, safe work environment, including the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970. This federal law protects workers against dangerous environments.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) investigates safety violations and employer retaliation related to these claims. At The Craighead Law Firm, our Houston employment attorneys represent workers throughout the administrative process.

As a government agency, OSHA must remain neutral, favoring neither employees nor employers. They interpret and execute the law. That’s why you must have an advocate who understands the process.

With our employment lawyer, Houston workers have someone to help draft OSHA complaints. Moreover, they have experienced representation throughout their interactions with the organization.

If you are subject to a dangerous work environment or have experienced retaliation for voicing your concerns, it is vital that you contact our employment law firm immediately. We can discuss your case at your consultation and develop a thorough strategy to ensure you are heard and protected.

Contract Review

As a Houston employment law firm, we understand how complex contracts can be. Your contract is a crucial way to ensure you have protection. Typically, they are also enforceable under employment law, labor law, and contract law.

Likely, your contract has unique terms and conditions. Our Houston employment lawyer is available to review contracts. We strive to ensure you have the protection you need as an employee.

What Constitutes an Employment Contract?

Your employment contract is a binding agreement with your employer. It covers a broad spectrum of terms and conditions that govern this relationship. Additionally, they can be implied, written, or oral. Moreover, one or both parties may have the power to modify it.

Often, your employment contract includes the following factors.

Duties imposed on the employee and employer
Terms of the relationship
Terms and means for the termination of employment
Non-compete agreements following termination or when the employee quits
Benefits you receive as an employee

When to Hire a Houston Employment Lawyer for Contract Review

Contracts are complex yet essential documents. They have a substantial impact on your life. At our Houston employment law firm, we help employees review and evaluate contracts. Moreover, we strive to ensure that the contract terms benefit our clients.

Often, employees are at a disadvantage during contract reviews. This is because your employer has a team of attorneys focused on checking contracts. Still, it’s crucial to review employment documents before you sign.

With our employment lawyers, Houston workers have advocates who help ensure their contract benefits them. Schedule a consultation today!

What Others Are Saying:

Areas of Service

The Craighead Law Firm, PLLC is an Employment Law Firm located in Houston, Texas. The Craighead Law Firm represents clients throughout Houston and the State of Texas, including in Harris, Brazoria, Fort Bend, Montgomery, and Galveston counties.

How an Employment Lawyer Can Help You

If you have been wronged by your employer or are a victim of wage theft, you may be entitled to compensation. The Craighead Law Firm handles cases ranging from wrongful termination to wage theft and a variety of other issues. If you are a victim of wrongful discharge, retaliation, sexual harassment, unpaid wages, or other unlawful circumstances that have caused you damages or loss in wages, call an Employment Law Firm that Houstonians can depend on.

Confidential Consultations with a Houston Employment Lawyer

Our employment law firm wants you to understand our process. Working with our employment law firm, Houston employees have an opportunity to find an advocate for issues in their work environment. Much like working with a personal injury lawyer or DWI lawyer, we find ways to advocate for your best interests.

The Craighead Law Firm offers confidential consultations and case evaluations to Houston employees looking to right a wrong. Whether you faced wrongful termination or employment law violations, our legal team can help you. Scheduling a consultation is the first step, and we want you to know what to expect.

Additionally, our law office represents employees in a wide range of employment law issues. From wage and hour disputes to employment discrimination, we have the experience you need to fight for your rights.

What to Expect at Your Consultation

Many of our clients have never met with a Houston employment attorney before. Therefore, our goal is to make them as comfortable as possible. Ideally, a consultation with an employment law firm is an opportunity for both you and the lawyer.

Schedule Your Case Evaluation Today

At The Craighead Law Firm, our Houston employment lawyer advocates for the rights of employees. We have extensive experience in a broad range of employment disputes in mediation and at trial.

Skilled employment law attorneys help people level the playing field with their employer. Whether you are the victim of wage theft or an EEOC violation, you might be entitled to compensation. Schedule a confidential consultation with our legal team and let us show you how we can help you win.

Houston Employment Law FAQ

Should I report violations to my employer?

Yes, it is important that you report harassment or any other workplace violations to your employer before you file a claim against them. Reporting issues internally is an important first step in the majority of employment law claims.

Moreover, when you report a violation, it provides essential documentation for any legal claim you pursue. If there is a Human Resources Department at your workplace, begin by reporting issues there. However, it is also important to remember that it’s not just what you say in a report but how you say it.

As an employment lawyer in Houston, TX, workers depend on our firm to provide legal advice throughout the process. Our team is ready to provide early legal assistance to ensure reports protect your job and your future relationship with the company.

What if my employer retaliates against me?

Often, workers tolerate unfair treatment or misdeeds because they fear retaliation from their employers. It is important to understand that Texas and federal laws prohibit retaliation against employees who exercise their rights to report violations.

If you feel that you have been the victim of retaliation in the workplace, contact the Houston employment lawyer at our law firm today. We can schedule a case evaluation to help you understand your options.

Should I report the retaliation?

You should absolutely report retaliation that occurs in the workplace. Often, this seems counterintuitive to people because they reported a different violation, which led to some form of punishment.

However, the retaliation is a separate violation of your rights and Texas employment law. When you report retaliation, it puts your employer on notice and establishes necessary documentation of their wrongdoing. At our employment law firm, we offer confidential consultations to employees who feel their employer is retaliating against them. Call us today.

Who is liable for employment lawsuits?

If you experience violations, harassment, or discrimination in the workplace, our Houston employment lawyer can help you file a claim against liable parties. Often, people wonder who is liable in these cases – the person who performed the violation or the employer?

In some cases, these are the same person. However, when the two are separate, your employer is liable for the discriminatory conduct of its employees. Per Texas employment law, the default rule is that employment is at-will. However, there are state and federal statutes that place limitations on this doctrine prohibiting discrimination of protected classes.

The anti-discrimination provisions under Title VII apply to any employer with 15 or more employees engaged in interstate commerce. Under Title VII, an individual supervisor or employee cannot be sued in their individual capacity. However, employees have the ability to sue the company they work for. In short, the employer is liable, not the employee.

What are my rights in the workplace?

As an employee, you have several rights when it comes to your treatment in the workplace:

Right to privacy
Fair compensation
Safety
Freedom from harassment and discrimination
Freedom from retaliation
Fair wages for work performed

Should I hire a lawyer if my employer violates my rights?

If you suspect that your employer has violated your workplace rights, it’s important to consult an experienced Houston employment attorney. At your initial consultation, we can discuss how federal laws protect you from any suspected violations.

What questions should I ask a Houston employment lawyer?

If you find yourself in need of an employment attorney, it’s important to know what questions you should ask at your initial case evaluation. Here are a few quick questions that we can cover.

What are my rights as a worker?

This is an essential question to ask when you want to gain the insight of an employment attorney in Houston. Employees are protected by both state and federal laws.

Additionally, sometimes employees have a written contract that establishes their rights and responsibilities as an employee that might enlarge the protections provided under state and federal laws. If you have an employment contract, be sure to bring it with you so that your attorney can review it.

With federal and Texas laws, employees have a broad spectrum of protections in an array of situations. When you aren’t familiar with them, it can be hard to navigate. Your employment attorney will help you understand your rights in your specific situation.

What are my options moving forward?

This depends greatly on your specific situation and the violation you report to your Houston employment lawyer. Moreover, it depends on whether you are still employed. There are numerous options available in every situation. Some involve communication with your employer, which your attorney can help with.

When communication fails, there are still a number of avenues to pursue in order to hold your employer accountable.

How long will the legal process take?

With any litigation, the inevitable answer is “it depends.” This is because there are many variables at play when it comes to workplace disputes.

How do the two sides see the events differently?
Where are the settlement discussions?
What’s the timeline for the court to process the claim?

Each step of the legal process is part of a “decision tree,” and this means there are different considerations to make. With an experienced employment lawyer, Houston workers have the guidance they need no matter what gets thrown at them.

What do your services cost?

At your confidential case evaluation, we are happy to discuss attorney fees and any other charges that may be associated with your claim. But generally speaking, we enter “contingency” fee agreements whereby we take a percentage of what we recover on your behalf.

We strive to establish a strong lawyer-client relationship, and a fee arrangement that works for both sides is an essential aspect of this.

What does an employment lawyer do?

As an employment attorney in Houston, Clayton Craighead assists and advises employees on the state and federal employment laws that protect them against actions by their employers, supervisors, etc. It is our job to help workers hold their employers accountable to ensure that Houston employees are treated in a fair and consistent manner. Moreover, we ensure that employers are in compliance with all applicable laws.

Additionally, a Houston employment attorney is able to draft and/or review contracts and handbooks, assist with wage issues, and represent employees at the EEOC.

When your employer violates these rights, you also have the right to hold them accountable. Contact our employment law firm in Houston, TX today, and schedule a consultation.

Why Choose Us?