Fazila Issa

Fazila Issa represents and counsels corporate management in a variety of industry sectors in labor and employment law, including representation before administrative agencies and litigation in state and federal court. Fazila has extensive experience in all phases of litigation, including trial and appellate experience.

She has defended clients against claims of discrimination, harassment, retaliation and wrongful termination under state and federal statutes, including:

• Title VII of the Civil Rights Act
• Age Discrimination in Employment Act
• Americans with Disabilities Act
• Family and Medical Leave Act
• Fair Labor Standards Act
• Texas Workers' Compensation Act
• Equal Pay Act
• Sarbanes-Oxley Act

In addition to her litigation practice, Fazila provides advice and counseling on day-to-day employment-related matters as well as employment due diligence for mergers and acquisitions and reductions-in-force. Fazila is Board Certified in Labor & Employment Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.

Fazila’s representative experience includes:

• Obtained summary judgment, which was affirmed by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, in lawsuit alleging race and gender discrimination claims
• Obtained summary judgment in lawsuit alleging age and religious discrimination claims
• Obtained summary judgment in lawsuit alleging national origin discrimination claim
• Obtained multiple summary judgments, which were affirmed by the First Court of Appeals, in lawsuits alleging workers’ compensation retaliation claim
• Obtained summary judgment in lawsuit alleging workers’ compensation retaliation claim
• Obtained summary judgment in lawsuit alleging gender, religious, sexual harassment and retaliation claims
• Obtained summary judgment in lawsuit alleging breach of contract and FMLA interference
• Obtained summary judgment, which was affirmed by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, in lawsuit alleging national origin and ERISA denial of benefits claims
• Obtained summary judgment in lawsuit alleging ERISA denial of benefits
• Obtained summary judgment in lawsuit alleging disability, failure to accommodate and FMLA interference claims
• Obtained summary judgment, which was affirmed by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, in lawsuit alleging sex discrimination claim
• Represented clients before administrative agencies and in federal court in Sarbanes-Oxley wrongful termination claims
• Represented clients on matters in arbitration involving various claims, including wrongful termination, post-termination sales compensation and end-of-service awards under the Saudi Labor Law
• Obtained complete dismissal of gender and Equal Pay Act claims following jury trial
• Secured defense award in arbitration on matter involving discrimination and retaliation claims under Title VII, ADA, Chapter 21 of the Texas Labor Code and FMLA
• Secured defense award in arbitration on matter involving discrimination and retaliation claims under Title VII and ADEA
• Secured defense verdict in bench trial in federal court involving ERISA denial of benefits claim
• Advised client on U.S. aspects of global reduction-in-force planning and implementation
• Conducted due diligence related to employment aspects of corporate transactions
• Negotiated settlements in favor of clients in numerous lawsuits involving discrimination, harassment and/or retaliation claims