The Employment Law Summit: Texas

Victor Wright is an experienced labor and employment law attorney, litigator, and strategic business advisor with more than 25 years of professional work experience within the federal government, private practice law firm, and public corporation sectors. A retired military officer and proven leader, Victor possesses a unique client service skill set which quickly allows him to build the requisite trust and confidence of his clients required in handling difficult and complex business matters. Victor Wright currently serves as Director, Global Labor and Employment Law at KBR, Inc., where he leads, manages and directs the delivery of all labor law, employment law, and employment dispute and litigation legal support services for more than 29,000 employees globally across KBR’s Government Solutions and Sustainable Technology Solutions business segments.

Victor is a member of the Board of Directors of the University of Houston Law Center Law Alumni Association where he currently serves as immediate past president and formerly served as the Law Center’s First African American President of the Law Alumni Association in the law school’s history.  He is also a member of the Association of Corporate Counsel where he formerly served on the Board of Directors of the ACC Houston Chapter.  In his local community, Victor serves as a member of the Board of Trustees at a local private school and at his church.  He also serves as a mentor with the Big Brothers and Big Sisters of America organization.

Elaine Balagia is the Assistant General Counsel at Liberty Energy where she manages litigation, employment, and compliance for the organization. A two time graduate of the University of Texas, Ms. Balagia has dedicated her time and energy outside of work to numerous charitable causes, including serving as President of the Board of the iWRITE Literacy Organization, an Advisory Board Member at Theatre Under the Stars, and an Executive Board member and legal advisor to the President at VICTORY, Inc., a non-profit dedicated to cancer research and treatment. In 2023 Ms. Balagia was honored as a Global Leader of Influence by the World Affairs Council of Houston and was previously honored as a Woman of Distinction by the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation. She is passionate about women’s rights, both in the workplace and in the world, and has spent her career advocating for and enacting paid family leave, pay equity, and pay transparency in the workplace. She has a brilliant 8 year old daughter and is grateful to be married to her wonderful, supportive husband, Brant

Kim Anderson is an Counsel Global Litigation who joined Counsel Global Litigation in 2024  from Corbridge Financial. Prior to that, she wlobbied in her hometown of Washington, DC for legislation and funding on behalf of over social services agencies around the country.

Through her pro bono work, Kim provides legal resources to those in need,  advising veterans in Houston as well as other clients across Texas who wish to expunge their criminal records in order to eliminate obstacles to school, housing and employment.

In addition to her pro bono work, Kim mentors local law students and learns just as much from them as she hopes they do from her. In her spare time, Kim enjoys mini-road trips with her family and friends when she is not attending her son’s sports events.

Christallyn McCloud Williams is Senior Corporate Counsel, Labor & Employment for MilliporeSigma, a global Life Sciences company.  She is a corporate generalist and has focused her practice for nearly the last 10 years on labor and employment and litigation management.  She also serves as a legal partner to the North America D&I office and cross-functional teams on corporate strategic DEI projects and programs.  She has recently led the re-launch of an employee resources group for Black employees, the Black Leadership Network, which she co-founded in 2012.

Experienced legal leader specializing in employment law and compliance within the technology sector. Currently serving as Senior Director, Global Employment & Compliance Counsel at Qlik Technologies, a leader in the data, analytics and AI space. Proven track record of providing strategic guidance to executive leadership and managing global teams, with over 12 years of experience. Skilled in M&A, equity and short-term incentive program administration, global restructurings, works council relations, policy drafting, investigations, litigation management and compliance oversight. Juris Doctor, cum laude, from Temple University Beasley School of Law. Admitted to practice in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Certified Information Privacy Professional/Europe (CIPP/E).

Melanie Koltermann is a seasoned corporate lawyer with expertise in corporate governance, executive compensation, employment law, legal compliance, FLSA, FCPA, and litigation.  Melanie currently serves as the General Counsel for Five Star Management.  With a strong commitment to upholding ethical standards and delivering results, she adeptly navigates legal complexities, providing strategic counsel that drives organizational success.

Melanie is a graduate of the University of Houston Law School and serves as the President of the Board of Directors of the Association of Corporate Counsel – Houston Chapter.  She also volunteers for the Association of Women Attorneys Foundation, where she formerly served as Chair for the Board of Trustees.

Kindall James is a labor and employment lawyer who counsels employers, business owners, and managers regarding various HR and personnel issues. She also represents clients in a wide variety of employment-related actions and proceedings in Texas and Louisiana state and federal courts and agencies. This includes defending employers against claims under the Fair Labor Standards Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), ERISA, the WARN Act, and other federal and state laws. Kindall also handles claims involving non-compete agreements, trade secrets, and unfair trade practices and competition. She represents clients in a range of industries, including the oil and gas, hospitality, engineering, construction, and other sectors.

Krista Hanvey is a partner in the Dallas office of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher.  She practices in the firm’s Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation and Corporate Departments. Ms. Hanvey has significant experience with all aspects of health and welfare benefit plan, retirement plan, and executive compensation compliance, planning, and transactional matters.  She has also advised clients with respect to general corporate governance matters and non-profit governance and pro bono adoption cases.

Her practice focuses on all aspects of equity compensation and employee stock purchase plans; 401(k), ESOP and 403(b) tax-qualified retirement and nonqualified deferred compensation plans; executive employment, severance, retention, change in control and non-compete agreements; performance bonus, sales commission and other incentive pay plans; and retiree medical, cafeteria and other welfare benefit  plans.  She regularly advises clients on the requirements of and compliance with tax laws, ERISA, HIPPA, COBRA, the Affordable Care Act and securities disclosure requirements.

Ms. Hanvey graduated first in her class from William and Mary School of Law, where she served as Senior Articles Editor of the William & Mary Law Review.  In 2006, Ms. Hanvey earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with highest honors in Government from The University of Texas at Austin.  She is a member of the Order of the Coif and Phi Beta Kappa.

Ms. Hanvey is admitted to practice law in the state of Texas.

Angeles Garcia Cassin is a Partner at Sheppard Mullin and a skilled trial lawyer who helps companies defend against employees’ claims of discrimination, retaliation, and unpaid wages. She also helps companies protect their confidential information and defend against claims alleging misappropriation of trade secrets. Angeles regularly advises clients regarding their diversity, equity, and inclusion policies and initiatives. She understands clients’ needs and is adept at learning how each client’s business operates in order to provide the most effective guidance in a timely and efficient manner. Angeles obtained her B.A. in Political Science and Spanish from Wellesley College and her J.D. from the University of Houston Law Center. She has been recognized by Super Lawyers and Best Lawyers in America as part of its “Ones to Watch” list since 2021 and regularly speaks on labor and employment law developments.

Sadiqa Banks has 14.5 years of experience in employment law, which involves employment litigation, federal agency, corporate employment consulting, HR development, corporate employment investigations, and employment training and development. Currently, Sadiqa is the Associate General Counsel, Employment & Immigration for a fintech, OppFi. Prior to OppFi, Sadiqa served as Assistant General Counsel & HR Consultant at Engage PEO.
Sadiqa has been described as having a 360-degree view of the employment relationship. She ultimately promotes, “Your career. Your responsibility.” She teaches this approach to help employees be proactive about their career path and how they can better participate and show up in the workplace.
Sadiqa is born and raised in New York City, holding a J.D. from Thurgood Marshall School of Law – Texas Southern University, and a B.A. from John Jay College of Criminal Justice, City University of New York.

Chris is a trusted advisor to early stage companies, with a focus on software, SaaS, and other subscription-based companies, handling corporate and transactional matters and employment issues. He handles IP strategy, litigation, and dispute resolution, including in relation to patents, trademarks, and trade secrets. He assists with cybersecurity investigations and incident responses, e.g., insider threats and corporate espionage. With a background in litigation, Chris has handled some of his clients’ biggest matters, including filing a trade secret lawsuit, and leading a team of attorneys, that resulted in a $2 billion jury verdict. Prior to joining Scale, Chris was Deputy General Counsel at Appian Corporation. He also previously litigated IP and commercial disputes at Williams & Connolly and Weil, Gotshal & Manges. In his spare time, Chris volunteers on the Board of a local faith-based private school.

Michael represents businesses in employment and commercial matters, including matters involving data privacy and protection.

Michael’s experience is both deep and varied. His experience spans over a decade in a wide variety of industries, through every stage of the economic cycle, and in venues throughout Texas and the country. Clients frequently call on Michael to advise on complicated and sensitive matters involving company personnel and business relationships.

Michael is Board Certified in Labor & Employment Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and has encountered nearly every type of employment-related issue. He has litigated all of the typical employment-related claims, including many through trial. Michael’s practice also involves negotiating agreements and separations with executives.

Michael works hard to resolve disputes outside of litigation, but if a matter must be litigated, Michael doggedly pursues his clients’ interests. Michael has tried cases to verdict before judges, juries, and arbitrators and has an enviable record doing so.

Additionally, a growing part of Michael’s practice involves data privacy and protection of proprietary data, such as trade secrets and other confidential information. Michael advises on compliance with emerging data privacy laws, such as the CPRA and the GDPR, as well as legacy privacy-related laws. He has extensive experience litigating disputes involving the misappropriation of propriety data and trade secrets by employees and others. Michael also litigates general commercial disputes on behalf of his clients.

Tiffany C. Britton earned her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Michigan and her Juris Doctorate from Texas Southern University, Thurgood Marshall School of Law. She is licensed to practice law in both Texas and Florida. Tiffany began her career as a prosecutor in Miami before serving as the Police Legal Advisor for one of South Florida’s largest cities. She later transitioned into Labor and Employment Law and Human Resources Compliance, holding roles such as Employment Counsel at TDECU. She currently serves as the Director of Employee Relations and HR Compliance for TDECU.

With a diverse background spanning public and private sectors, Tiffany is also a committed member of several social and civic organizations, including Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Outside of work, she enjoys entertaining, shopping, golfing, baking, and supporting the Texans and Michigan football teams.

Taylor White partners with senior business leaders, HR professionals, corporate counsel, and decision-makers on employment decisions and litigation. He regularly advises employers on day-to-day issues, including requirements and best practices regarding discrimination, harassment, and retaliation claims under state and federal employment laws, and he often counsels clients on a myriad of litigation avoidance strategies. As a litigator, Taylor is a zealous advocate on behalf of his clients for claims of wage and hour violations; discrimination, harassment, and retaliation issues; breaches of employment agreements; breaches of covenants not to compete and not to solicit; misappropriation of trade secrets; breaches of fiduciary duty and other employment-related torts; and other state and federal law issues stemming from workplace disputes. Taylor is the lead blog writer for employerlawresource.com.

As Senior Counsel Global Employment Law for Shutterfly, LLC, Laura Sammons handles employment-related legal matters for the Shutterfly family of brands, supporting internal clients in managing employee relations through all stages of the employment lifecycle, guiding workplace investigations, encouraging culture development and transformation, managing employee transitions, and overseeing matters in litigation. Prior to joining Shutterfly, Laura developed her expertise as an employment law attorney, litigator, and strategic business advisor with experience in-house, in law firms, and in state and federal government. Laura earned her J.D. from William and Mary Law School and her LL.M. from Texas A&M School of Law and is licensed to practice law in Texas and New Mexico.

Cyndi Baily is a highly accomplished attorney and compliance professional with extensive experience and expertise across diverse legal fields including, health care and life sciences, corporate compliance, data privacy and information security, general commercial and contract law and contract management, employment law, federal and state contracts, non-profit and tax exemption, securities law and corporate governance, licensing and technology transfer, dispute resolution, negotiation and litigation management.

Her demonstrated strengths are in the health care and life sciences industries, in both general counsel and chief compliance officer roles, and the oversight of the internal audit, information privacy and security, policy, risk management as well as environmental health and safety functions.

She is a dynamic professional with broad supervisory experience involving both legal and non-legal professionals; served as part of the C-level suite in three large businesses; and worked with boards comprised of experienced business leaders throughout the US and the world.

Joe Lavigne is a partner in Jones Walker LLP’s Labor & Employment Practice Group in New Orleans, LA and an experienced litigator in trade secret and non-compete disputes.

As a lead attorney on Jones Walker’s trade secret and non-compete team, Joe focuses his practice on prosecuting and defending claims of employee misconduct involving trade secret violations, unfair trade practices, non-compete violations, invasion of privacy, Computer Fraud and Abuse Act issues, theft, and related disputes. He also advises clients on employment policies and practices and regularly negotiates employment agreements for employers.

Joe has handled cases across the United States, including in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas, and Utah.

Greta Ravitsky has significant experience representing and counseling employers in a variety of labor and employment matters arising under federal and state law, including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), and Section 1981.

Jacob litigates complex commercial and employment matters involving restrictive covenants and trade secrets; discrimination, retaliation, and harassment claims; wage and hour claims; and occupational safety and health. In addition to litigation, Jacob advises clients on all aspects of employment law and human resources compliance. Beyond the employment context, he advises clients on compliance with a wide range of civil rights statutes, including Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act regarding public accommodations and Title IX regarding sex discrimination in education.