Susan P. Burton, J.D.

Biography

 

 

 

Susan Burton is a native Austinite who has practiced law in Austin for over 30 years. Prior to joining the Firm, Susan had a successful career at two of Austin’s largest and most prestigious law firms, leading those Firm’s employment law Practice Group. She joined the Firm as a named partner in 2018.  She is Board Certified in Labor and Employment Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and serves as an Arbitrator in employment law cases for The American Arbitration Association. 

Ms. Burton advises employers on human resource and employment law issues such as discipline, discharge, employee lay-offs, disability and reasonable accommodation, family and medical leave, on-the-job injury, hiring, employment contracts and policies, employee handbooks, wages and overtime, and non-competition and confidential information issues. She works with employers on risk prevention strategies such as review and revisions of employee handbooks, employment agreements, confidentiality, non-compete, and non-disclosure agreements, supervisor and employee training (including sexual harassment and discrimination training). 

Ms. Burton has extensive experience representing employers in administrative proceedings. She advises employers in responding to discrimination, harassment, and retaliation charges filed with the EEOC, the Texas Workforce Commission, and the Austin Human Rights Commission.  She advises and counsels employers on wage and hour and overtime issues and how to respond to and manage audits by the U.S. Department of Labor, the Texas Workforce Commission, and unemployment claims. She also represents employers in OSHA enforcement actions. 

Susan has a depth of state and federal trial experience representing the interests of employers in wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, retaliation, ADA, and claims for unpaid wages and overtime under the Fair Labor Standards Act.   In addition, she has successfully obtained temporary restraining orders and temporary injunctions in disputes over non-competition agreements and misappropriation of confidential information. 

Education & Certificates

J.D., Baylor Law School, 1987
BS, University of Texas at Austin 1983

Board Certified in Labor and Employment law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization

Honors & Awards

Since 2004, Susan Burton has been named in the “Texas Super Lawyers” list under the category of Labor and Employment Law, as published in Super Lawyers Magazine and Texas Monthly, and in 2006, she was especially recognized in the publications’ “Top 50 Women Super Lawyers.” 

Ms. Burton has received Martindale-Hubbell’s AV® Preeminent® rating, the highest rating possible rating in both legal ability and ethical standards, based on a peer review process reflecting the confidential opinions of members of the bar and the judiciary. 

She received the 2014 Professionalism Award from the Austin Bar Association and the Texas Center for Legal Ethics and Professionalism.   In 2001, she received the Pathfinder Award from the Travis County Women Lawyers Association.   She was named the J. Chrys Dougherty Award Winner by Volunteer Legal Services of Central Texas for Outstanding Pro Bono Services in 2000, and in 1996, she was named in Outstanding Young Lawyer by the Austin Young Lawyer’s Association. 

Lectures & Presentations

“Managing Employee Leave and Attendance Issues” – Austin SHRM – May, 2022 

“Arbitration Considerations & Strategies – Austin Bar Labor & Employment Section – May, 2022 

“Workplace Impact of Marijuana Legalization: What Employers Need to Know” – Austin Bar Labor & Employment Section – Austin – November, 2019 

“Breaking Up is Hard to Do: Dos and Don’ts in Handling Employee Discipline and Terminations,” Central Texas Chapter of Associated Builders & Contractors, Inc. – Austin – October 2017. 

“Employment Law for Non-Employment Lawyers,” Hays County Bar Association – December – 2016. 

“LGBT Employment Issues,” Austin Bar Association Labor & Employment Section – Austin – 2016. 

“Non-Competes to TRO’s – Protecting Confidential Information and Trade Secrets,” Austin Bar Association Labor & Employment Section – Austin – 2015. 

“LGBT Issues in the Workplace,” State Bar of Texas Minority Attorney Program Conference – Austin – 2015. 

“The Impact of Marriage Equality on Texas Law,”  State Bar of Texas – November – Austin – 2015. 

“Small Biz U: Employment Law 101,” Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce – Austin -2015. 

Panel Speaker on Women in the Workplace, TEDx Austin Women Conference – Austin – 2013.