About

For over thirty years, Elizabeth Pratt’s legal career has focused on a broad range of labor and employment issues, with the primary goals of preventing litigation and, in general, building congenial workplaces that  comply with the applicable laws. The heart of the practice is development of lawful workplace policies and processes, proactive management of workplace problems, and defending claims and government investigations effectively and with unwavering focus on serving each client’s goals and needs. 

 

Her broad range of experience gives her an excellent foundation for investigating workplace conflicts to secure the truth and achieve practical, legal resolutions.

 

Elizabeth has been Board Certified in Labor and Employment Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization since 1997.

 

Elizabeth frequently speaks on a broad range of employment law topics and devotes a substantial part of her legal practice to counseling businesses regarding managing discipline and personnel disputes, conducting investigations and training, and proactively (and creatively) implementing sound HR processes.

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Education

 

• Baylor University School of Law (J.D., 1987)

  • Published, Baylor Law Review

  • Dean’s Honor List

• Baylor University (B.A., 1985)

  • Phi Beta Kappa

  • Mortar Board

 

Licenses and Certifications

 

• State Bar of Texas

• Board Certified- Labor and Employment Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization

  • 1997 – present

• United States Supreme Court

• United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit

• United States District Courts – Eastern, Southern, and Western Districts of Texas

 

Professional Activities and Honors

 

• “AV-Rated®” Peer Review Rated by Martindale Hubbell

• Recognized in “The Best Lawyers in America®, Labor and Employment, 2012 – 2023

  • Employment Law – Management

  • Employment Law – Litigation-Labor and Employment

• Selected for inclusion in Texas Super Lawyer® – a Thomson Reuters service, 2005 – 2010, 2013 – 2023

• Subscriber – State Bar of Texas Pro Bono Pledge

• State Bar of Texas Professionalism Committee, 2022 – 2023

• Society of Human Resource Management Recertification Provider, 2017– 2021

• Fort Bend County Bar Association

  • Board of Directors, 2018 – 2019

  • Secretary, 2019 – 2021

• Fort Bend County Law Library Committee, 2018 – 2022

• Unauthorized Practice of Law District 4 Galleria Area Subcommittee, 2018 – 2020

• Katy Bar Association

  • President, 2016 – 2017

  • Board of Directors, 2011 – 2019

  • Secretary 2012 – 2015

  • First Vice President, 2008 – 2009

  • Vice President – Education – 2015 – 2016

• Katy Area Economic Development Council, 2014 – 2020

  • Human Resources Committee, 2018 – 2020

  • Leadership Committee, 2019 – 2020

• Katy Business Association, 2018 – 2021

• Texas Association of Defense Counsel, 1988 – present

  • Member, Amicus Curiae committee, 1991 – 1996

  • Authored TADC Amicus Curiae brief in Casas v. Wornick

• Texas Association of Business

  • Chairman, Employee Relations Committee

  • Beaumont Chapter Board, 1993 – 1999, 2000 – 2006

• Member, State Bar College

• Fellow, Texas Bar Foundation

• Unauthorized Practice of Law Subcommittee in Southeast Texas, District 3A

  • Committee Member – Appointed by Texas Supreme Court, 2005 – 2010

  • Commended for Special Service, 2007

• Jefferson County, Texas Outstanding Young Lawyer – 2000 (one recipient annually)

• Jefferson County Bar Association

  • Board of Directors, 1996 – 1998

  • Treasurer, 1997 – 1998

• Jefferson County Young Lawyers’ Association

  • Board of Directors, 1991 – 1996

  • Secretary, 1992 – 1993

  • Treasurer, 1994 – 1995

• Services to multiple nonprofits – gratis and reduced fees

• Recipient of special recognition from Jefferson County Chapter of American Red Cross

• Volunteer for youth organizations such as Junior Achievement and Future Business Leaders of America

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Publications and Papers

 

Elizabeth has written numerous white papers and program materials covering a broad range of workplace and litigation topics. Programs and training have been provided to these audiences:

 

• Private clients

• Professional organizations

• High school and MBA classes

• Professional/trade organizations

• State Bar of Texas Labor and Employment Law Section Conferences

• Texas Association of Defense Counsel Conferences

• Jefferson County Bar Association

• Future Business Leaders of America, Regional and State Competition Programs

• National Diversity Council Gulf Coast Advisory Board

• Katy Bar Association

• Fort Bend County Bar Association

• City of Beaumont Police Department

• Associated Builders and Contractors

• National Wooden Pallet and Container Association

• Texas Library Association

• Texas Association of Appraisal Districts State Convention

• Texas Society of CPAs

• SHRM//SETHRA

• Southeast Texas Economic Development Foundation

• Southeast Texas Nonprofit Development Center

• Katy Area Economic Development Council