Taylor Appling
Senior Counsel
Taylor Appling is a trial lawyer and senior counsel in the firm’s Houston office and a member of both the Labor & Employment and the Business Litigation Dispute Resolution Practice Groups. She litigates trade secret, noncompete, unfair competition, and employment claims. Taylor is also a member of the Environmental, Social, and Corporate Governance (ESG) Team.
In addition to regularly defending large and mid-sized companies in state and federal court, Taylor works directly with general counsel, executive-level management, and human resources professionals to ensure compliance with employment laws and regulations and develop proactive tools for preventing employment-related litigation.
Representative Experience
- Defending companies and their employees at jury trial and expedited injunction hearings based on claims of trade secret misappropriation, covenants not to compete, breach of fiduciary duty, breach of contract, and tortious interference with business relations.
- Defending claims of unlawful discrimination, pay disparity, hostile work environment, and retaliation under Title VII, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), and equivalent state laws and regulations.
- Drafting executive employment agreements, severance and release agreements, covenants not to compete, non-solicitation and confidentiality agreements, staffing contracts, independent contractor agreements, and arbitration provisions.
- Counseling and defending employers against federal and state Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) citations, whistleblower complaints, and wage and hour disputes.
- Conducting training sessions for management, HR, and hourly employees on topics related to ADA, FMLA, reasonable accommodation procedures, lawful hiring and promotions practices, discrimination, and harassment.
- Creating, reviewing, and updating employment policies and practices to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local laws and regulations.
Awards and Recognition
- The Best Lawyers in America© Ones to Watch (2021-2024)
- Super Lawyers Texas Rising Stars (2022-2023)
Affiliations
- Board Certified in Labor and Employment Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization (2019-Present)
- Member of the Houston Bar Association
- Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee
- Labor and Employment Section
- Member of the Houston Association of Women Attorneys
- Member of the Houston Young Lawyers Association
FTC’s Ban on Noncompete Agreements Is Blocked
Federal Judge in Texas Blocks FTC's Noncompete Rule
On August 20, 2024, the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas issued an order setting aside the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) ban on employee noncompetes (the “Noncompete Rule”).
It’s a Cruel Summer (for Employers Still Facing Uncertainty of Looming Federal Trade Commission Noncompete Rule)
Summer 2024 may be remembered for its uncertainty. On top of the surprises in political campaigns and the Supreme Court’s overruling of decades-old precedents, employers nationwide still face uncertainty with the FTC’s looming rule banning the vast majority of employee noncompetes across the United States.
EEOC Commits to its 2024 New Year’s Resolutions — Protecting Vulnerable Workers, Pregnant Workers, and More
If it’s a typical subject of a class action lawsuit, it’s likely one of the EEOC’s New Year’s resolutions.
Foley Attorneys Recognized in 2024 Best Lawyers in America
Foley & Lardner LLP proudly announced today that 236 of the firm’s attorneys across 20 U.S. offices have received recognition in the 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers in America©.
EEOC’S Proposed Regulations Interpret the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) enforces the PWFA, and it began accepting Charges of Discrimination under the PWFA on June 27, 2023 — the day the law became effective.