2023 Texas Legislature and LER

What They Did or Didn’t Do and Thoughts for the Future in the Labor and Employment-Related Arena

Aside from eliminating water breaks for certain employees, the 2023 Texas legislature entertained several significant labor and employment-related bills. Find out in this interesting and informative discussion what the legislature accomplished, or didn’t accomplish, that affects labor and employment relations, and what the future might hold.

We are very pleased to get the perspectives on the 2023 Texas Legislature Labor and Employment-related accomplishments and thoughts for the future from two outstanding individuals who will view this from different perspectives:

Speakers

Rick Levy is the President of the Texas AFL-CIO, a position he was elected to in 2017. Previously, he held the position of Secretary-Treasurer from 2015-2017, and before that, he was the Legal And Education Director. Prior to coming to the Texas AFL-CIO, Rick practiced labor and employment law both in Tyler and Austin Texas. As President, Rick has focused on helping to build a broader, bolder and more inclusive labor movement, and weaving a culture of solidarity to answer the challenges faced by working people in Texas.

Luis Figueroa, is the Chief of Legislative Affairs. Luis Figueroa joined Every Texan in 2018 as the first Legislative and Policy Director. In his important new role as Chief of Legislative Affairs, Luis oversees Every Texan’s comprehensive legislative strategy. He was previously General Counsel for Texas State Senator José Rodríguez and Executive Director of the Texas Senate Hispanic Caucus. Previously, he served as the Legislative Attorney for the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF), where he worked from 2004 to 2013. A proud Texan from El Paso, Luis received the 2013 MALDEF Award for services performed on behalf of the Latino community in pursuit of social justice, the 2011 Champion of Equality and Justice Award from LULAC, and the 2009 Spirit of Change Award by State Rep. Joaquin Castro, among other honors. He has a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Speech Communications with a concentration in American Politics and Law from Trinity University in San Antonio, and his Juris Doctorate from the University Of Texas School Of Law. He is licensed to practice law in the State of Texas.

Professor Richard Carlson, Professor of Law at South Texas College of Law, who specializes in Labor and Employment Law, Employment Discrimination and Family Law. Professor Carlson teaches and writes in the fields of Employment Law, including discrimination and collective bargaining, Family Law, and Contracts.  He is the author of a casebook, Employment Law, which is now in its fifth edition.  He is also the author and editor of two annually updated and annotated statutory compilations, Carlson’s Federal Employment Laws Annotated (West Group) and Carlson’s Texas Employment Laws Annotated (West Group).  He is also the Secretary of the Labor and Employment Section of the State Bar of Texas and the longtime editor of its Newsletter.

Moderator

Chip Galagaza, of Counsel, has been practicing exclusively in the area of labor and employment law for over 42 years. He is Board Certified in Labor and Employment Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. He has recently joined Stibbs & Co., P.C., Attorneys, a small general practice firm managed by his best friend and BBQ nerd, Stuart Lapp, where he will continue to provide employment law advice and counsel while working on building a practice as an employment law mediator and arbitrator.

Resources

Link to a SHRM article from August 23rd on what laws were signed by Gov. Abbott –
https://www.shrm.org/resourcesandtools/legal-and-compliance/state-and-local-updates/pages/new-texas-laws.aspx

Bookings and Logistics

Please book your ticket below at no cost courtesy of Houston LERA. The Zoom link will be sent to those who register before the event.

We look forward to seeing you!