The global law firm of Thompson & Knight LLP is pleased to announceBarbara-Ellen Gaffney has joined the Firm’s Labor and Employment Practice Group in the Dallas office. She joins Thompson & Knight as an Attorney.

“Barbara-Ellen’s exclusive focus on employment law and wide-ranging experience is a perfect compliment to our practice. We’re thrilled she decided to join us,” saysElizabeth A. Schartz, the Firm’s Labor and Employment Practice Leader.

Gaffney focuses her practice on the representation of management in all aspects of labor and employment matters. Her experience includes assisting in the defense of clients during EEOC investigations and civil trials and representing employers in negotiations and/or proceedings with the Department of Labor, the EEOC, and the Texas Workforce Commission. She provides advice and counsel to employers concerning employment issues, including strategies for minimizing risks of litigation. She has developed internal policies and procedures for various clients, including drafting and revising employee handbooks and negotiating and drafting employment contracts, non-compete and confidentiality agreements, separation agreements, and independent contactor agreements.

Gaffney received her J.D. from Baylor University School of Law in 2003 and her B.A. in English, magna cum laude, from Texas A&M University in 2000. She is actively involved in numerous organizations, including the State Bar of Texas, Texas Young Lawyers Association, Dallas Bar Association, and Dallas Young Lawyers Association. She is a Board member of the St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church Mothers’ Association and is Past Vice-President of the Fort Worth-Tarrant County Young Lawyers Association.

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