Lori Carr

Of Counsel

Direct Dial: 214.599.4004
lcarr@estesthornecarr.com
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Lori Carr likes freedom. The freedom to put her clients at the center of her practice. The freedom to staff a case the way she knows it should be staffed. The freedom to establish fee arrangements that work for both the client and the firm.  And, frankly, the freedom to play the occasional round of golf. So when the opportunity to team up with other talented women and start their own firm presented itself, Lori didn’t need a lot of convincing. “I never looked back,” she says.

Although originally studying to be a tax lawyer, Lori gravitated to labor and employment law while clerking for a federal judge after graduating law school. She’s board certified in labor and employment law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, and she represents employers in both state and federal courts, arbitration proceedings, and before government agencies. She has experience in many areas, including litigation defense, risk management, training, consultation, investigations, and representation during government audits or enforcement proceedings. One thing that sets Lori apart from other labor and employment attorneys is her vast experience and specialty in representing employers against OSHA.   She is also frequently trusted with conducting investigations involving sensitive issues and involving complaints against high level company executives. 

Among her other accolades, Lori is also an accomplished golfer.  In fact, she’s made two holes-in-one.  If that weren’t enough, Lori frequently lectures on employment policies, management training and compliance with state and federal employment laws.

Experience and Expertise

Lori has experience and expertise in the following areas:

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (discrimination, harassment and retaliation based on sex, national origin, religion, color, and race)

Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (age discrimination)

Americans With Disabilities Act (disability accommodation and discrimination)

Family and Medical Leave Act

Fair Labor Standards Act (minimum wage and overtime issues)

Covenants Not to Compete and other restrictive covenants

Misappropriation of Trade Secrets

ERISA Litigation (benefit claims, interference with protected rights, violation of statutory and common law duties)

Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA)

Executive Order 11246 (affirmative action planning and audit defense)

Sarbanes-Oxley Act (whistleblower protection)

Workers Compensation Retaliation

Unemployment Benefits

Employment Contracts

Employment Policies and Procedures

Whistleblower actions, including "Sabine Pilot" actions

Pregnancy Discrimination

Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act

Article 21 of the Texas Labor Code

Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN)

Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA)

Counseling and Training

A significant portion of Ms. Carr's practice is focused on counseling employers on a daily basis on various employment issues, such as:

• Employee discipline
• Sexual harassment investigations
• Termination decisions
• Ethics point investigations
• Employee theft investigations
• Policies and procedures
• Workplace violence
• Family leave
• Accommodation of disabilities
• Proper classification of employees
• Employment contracts
• Payment of wages

She also conducts formal training, including the following:

• Training managers and supervisors in how to recognize and deal with employment law issues
• Sexual harassment education - for managers and employees
• Best practices in employment policies and procedures, including hiring, discipline and termination
• ADA compliance and coordination with workers compensation and family leave laws

Education And Certifications

J.D., Baylor University Law School (1988)

B.B.A., Baylor University (1985)

• Accounting

Board Certified in Labor & Employment Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. 1995-present

Admissions

State Bar of Texas

State Bar of the District of Columbia

Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals

United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas

United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas

United States District Court for the Western District of Texas

United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas

Central District of Illinois

U.S. Tax Court

Affiliations

Member, State Bar of Texas

• Labor & Employment Section

Fellow, Dallas Bar Association

• Labor & Employment Section

Life Fellow, Texas Bar Foundation

Member, Dallas Women Lawyers Association

Member, College of the State Bar of Texas

Member, NAMWOLF (National Association of Minority & Women Owned Law Firms)

Member, National Association of Women Lawyers

Prior Work Experience

Owner/Founder, The Carr Law Firm, P.C. (2006-2008) Labor & Employment defense

Partner, Gardere Wynne Sewell, Dallas (1997-2006) Labor & Employment defense

Associate, Gardere & Wynne, Dallas (1991-1997) Labor & Employment defense

Associate, Johnson & Gibbs, Washington, D.C. (1990-1991) Tax, Real Estate and Labor Sections

Law Clerk to the Honorable Eldon B. Mahon, United States District Judge for the Northern District of Texas (1988-90)

Professional Achievements

Recognized, Texas Super Lawyer, Thomson Reuters, as published in Texas Monthly (2006-2008, 2014-2022)

Recognized, Best Lawyers in America® in Litigation - Labor & Employment, Woodward, White, Inc. (2012-2021)

Recognized, Best Lawyers in Dallas in Labor & Employment, as published in D Magazine (2011-2019, 2022)

Recognized, Best Women Lawyers in Dallas in Labor & Employment, as published in D Magazine (2010)

Recognized, AV Preeminent-Highest Possible Rating in Both Legal Ability & Ethical Standards, Martindale-Hubbell

Representative Speeches

NAWL Conference 2018 - #METOO. WHY NOW? WHAT’S NEXT? - Panelist