The Employers' Lawyers' Blog
The Treaty Oak Blog is often authored by Natalie Lynch, founding attorney and resident “voice of reason” when it comes to Texas employment law. She keeps it practical, candid, and refreshingly jargon-free. We would be remiss not to mention that the business and legal communities of Texas, Colorado, and Wyoming constantly inspire us to keep learning. Our incredible clients also always give us a platform to share the lessons we’ve learned.
Don’t Let Your Employee Handbook Blow Up in Your Face
Feeling like your employee handbook is a ticking time bomb of legal liability? Fretting over whether your policies comply with the latest federal flip-flops or state-specific quirks? Take a breath. Treaty Oak Legal is here to guide you through the HR compliance jungle. We’ve distilled the wisdom from Danielle Needham’s
Tariffs Are Shifting Again — Here’s How Smart Businesses Stay Ahead
If your business buys or sells anything across a border, you’ve felt the whiplash this year. Tariffs jump, headlines swirl, and your inbox fills with advice that sounds suspiciously like panic. Unfortunately, panic is not a plan. So, let’s fix that. It starts with understanding what’s happening right now and
Taming the Rule 30(b)(6) Deposition Beast
We see you. And we know you’re sweating bullets every time a plaintiff’s lawyer slaps you with a Rule 30(b)(6) deposition notice. Mostly because real people have no idea what a Rule 30(b)(6) deposition notice even is – why would you? Think of it like this: you’re being summoned to
Your (Profit-Saving) Guide Through the Jury Selection Jungle
Running a business or managing HR in this town is tough enough without the threat of a courtroom showdown. When an employee sues, the jury selection process can feel like a high-stakes poker game where the deck’s stacked against you. But don’t sweat it – we’re here to simplify the
32nd Annual Labor and Employment Law Conference: Stop Panicking, Start Profiting
Hey there, anxious business owners and HR folks. Is the heat from potential lawsuits keeping you up at night? Don’t sweat it! Treaty Oak has dug into the latest legal dirt from the 32nd Annual Labor and Employment Law Conference, and we’re here to douse those flames with some snarky
Pure Speculation Discrimination Claims: When “What Else Could It Be?” Becomes Your Legal Nightmare
You’re sitting in your office on a Tuesday morning, coffee still warm, when HR walks in with that look. You know the one. An employee has filed a discrimination complaint, and their smoking gun evidence is essentially: “I feel treated badly, and I’m in a protected class, so… what else
Why a “Best Practice” Boss Is Actually the Best Kind of Boss
Happy Boss’s Day! This year, let’s shift the focus from forced festivities to a genuine appreciation for the impact a truly good boss can have. We’re not talking about the fun boss who brings in donuts every Friday or hands out generous holiday bonuses (though those are nice perks!). No,
Why Can’t Workplace Investigators Just Stick to Direct Evidence? Because Investigations Aren’t a Jigsaw Puzzle
In the world of employment law, we often encounter some truly bizarre ideas. Recently, a peculiar notion was presented suggesting that investigators should avoid making conclusions of fact beyond direct evidence and should refrain from credibility assessments altogether. While these ideas might seem tempting in their simplicity, they unfortunately miss
When No One Takes Ownership: How Chili’s Lost an Age Discrimination Case by Forgetting the Basics
In the fast-paced world of HR and employment litigation, it’s easy to get caught up in the three Ps – processes, policies, and paperwork. Sometimes, though, losing a case comes down to something much simpler: no one took ownership. That’s exactly what happened in a recent Sixth Circuit case involving
Reincorporating a Delaware Entity? Why Wyoming and Texas Are the Next Big Power Moves
In the corporate world, Delaware has long reigned as the go-to jurisdiction for incorporation. But times are changing fast. A growing number of companies are rethinking their reliance on Delaware, and many are exploring quieter, (dare I say) smarter jurisdictions for the next chapter of their corporate governance. Welcome to
Surprise! There’s a Union? What Government Contractors Should Know About Post-Award Labor Issues
Winning a government contract is often the result of months, if not years, of hard work, planning, and strategic bidding. But what happens when, after all that effort, you’re awarded the contract… and then you learn there’s a union representing the incumbent workforce? What the heck? There was no mention
The DOL’s Surprise Move: Giving Employers a Break (Yes, Really)
Just when you thought the Department of Labor had run out of surprises, on June 27, they handed employers a win. The DOL issued Field Assistance Bulletin 2025-3, which essentially says that unless the DOL sues you, they can’t demand liquidated damages anymore. Going forward, they’re limited to collecting just