Holland & Knight today announced the further expansion of its litigation practice in Houston with the addition of labor and employment partner Dean Schaner. Mr. Schaner was previously a partner with Haynes and Boone, where he founded the firm’s Houston Labor and Employment Practice Group.

With more than 27 years of experience, Mr. Schaner has represented employers in all aspects of unfair competition, discrimination, retaliation, whistleblower, ERISA, wrongful termination and tort/contract claims arising out of the employment relationship. He has tried a wide variety of cases in the federal and state courts, including the successful defense of an energy company in a class action case in which the plaintiffs sought $30 million in damages, and is board certified in labor and employment law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.

“Dean is one of the leaders of the labor and employment bar in Texas,” said John Hogan, the chair of Holland & Knight’s Litigation Section. “His experience founding and developing a practice in Houston will be invaluable in helping the firm build its litigation practice and continue its growth momentum in this competitive legal market.”

“I am excited about the opportunity to assist Holland & Knight in establishing a topflight litigation group in Houston,” said Mr. Schaner. “I also look forward to taking advantage of the firm’s exceptionally strong national litigation platform to further enhance my practice and better serve my clients.”

Mr. Schaner received a J.D. degree from Creighton University and a B.A. degree from Texas Tech University.

Holland & Knight opened its Houston office in September 2015. Its Houston lawyers focus on trials and dispute resolution of complex commercial matters. These include cases involving financial institutions, labor and employment, securities, data privacy and security, and products and intellectual property disputes, as well as class action defense and energy law.

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