Vartabedian Katz Expands Employment Expertise with Three Additions

Moves reinforce ongoing growth for the firm

DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--In its next step in forming a comprehensive practice in labor and employment law, Vartabedian Katz Hester & Haynes has announced the addition of three attorneys to the practice group.

Joining the firm are partner Micala Bernardo and senior associates Maria Garrett and Breegan Mayrant. They will focus on providing management-side labor and employment counseling and transactional support and representing corporate clients in high-stakes employment disputes, including trade secret and unfair competition litigation, fiduciary duty and partnership disputes, and collective and class action cases.

All three join the firm from DLA Piper, where firm partner Marc Katz was Dallas office managing partner and chair of the firm’s national employment practice.

“As indicated when making my move just a few weeks ago, we intend to add talent and a significant amount of work from new and existing clients in the area of management-side labor and employment work,” Mr. Katz said. “We’re very pleased that this group is now able to join us, and I’m confident they will also find this to be a great place with opportunities to offer practical and timely solutions to our clients’ needs.”

Ms. Bernardo is a go-to attorney for companies in all industries facing high-stakes employment litigation. She represents employers in a wide variety of employment litigation matters, including cases involving breach of contract and fiduciary duty claims, claims of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation, and employee mobility claims. Ms. Bernardo also proactively works with employers in efforts to improve workplace policies and avoid litigation and advises companies on compliance with a wide range of labor and employment-related statutes and regulations.

Ms. Garrett's experience includes representing employers in complex employment litigation and providing strategic counsel across the full spectrum of labor and employment matters, with a focus on non-compete and other restrictive covenant matters. Ms. Mayrant serves as a strategic advisor to companies with nationwide operations on complex workplace compliance and risk management matters, with a focus on supporting workforce and executive issues to best ensure the success of corporate transactions.

Video link of Marc Katz and Rob Vartabedian discussing the firm’s plans for the future.

During the past year, the firm has attracted more than 20 attorneys and significantly expanded its capabilities in bankruptcy law and corporate restructuring, white-collar litigation and investigations.

About Vartabedian Katz Hester & Haynes
With offices in Fort Worth, Dallas and Houston, Vartabedian Katz Hester & Haynes is a client-focused and results-oriented litigation boutique founded in early 2024. The firm and its attorneys have an established record of success in energy disputes, financial restructuring, employment law, white-collar investigations and complex commercial litigation for businesses across a broad range of industries. More information is available at vkhh.com.