Practice Areas

Know Your Rights

In the initial consultation, our clients can expect to a have plain and direct discussion of the merits of claims and possible defenses and an exploration of available options, including any possibility that the matter might be addressed initially without involvement of a lawyer, or with settlement discussions or with mediation. Making it possible for a client to fully understand his or her situation and the available means to address it is one of the most valuable services we provide, since that relieves in most cases the substantial stress of the uncertainties involved in a dispute.

Employment and Civil Rights

With an extensive background in workplace and union matters, we handle problems related to a client’s employment, such as employment contracts; unfair treatment and discrimination in hiring, assignments, promotion, layoffs and termination; claims of breach of confidentiality or non-compete agreements, and false accusations and damage to reputation. For employees of governmental units, we protect their rights to freedom of expression, privacy and due process. On a selective basis, we accept the representation of employers in the defense of wage and hour complaints and clearly meritless workplace complaints.

Mediation

Many cases can be resolved quickly and fairly through mediation, which is a method of settlement negotiation assisted by a trained neutral facilitator. We assist clients in the presentation of their claims and the negotiation of resolution in mediation conferences. David T. Lopez’s specialized training and experience are not only available to assist a party in a mediation as an advocate, but also are available to parties in a dispute who utilize Lopez as a mediator, by direct agreement, or by referral by the American Arbitration Association (AAA) or the International Centre for Dispute Resolution (ICDR), in the case of international disputes. Lopez is fluent in Spanish and familiar with both common law, as utilized in the United States, and the civil law in use in many foreign countries.

Arbitration

Lopez is a panelist in major arbitration administrative organizations, such as the AAA and ICDR, and the training and experience that qualifies him as an arbitrator also makes him an effective advocate to represent parties that have agreed to use arbitration to resolve a dispute.

Litigation

Lopez has represented individuals and commercial entities in hundreds of trials and appeals in both state and federal court, including matters such as those discussed above, as well as others, including cases involving joint ventures, contracts, commercial disputes and personal injury. For cases requiring additional specialized knowledge or experience, Lopez maintains contact with trial lawyers to whom he can refer cases or engage for assistance.

Education and Faculty Rights

Having served on university faculties and on the Board of Education of the largest school district in Texas, Lopez has utilized his background and expertise in the handling of cases involving schools, colleges and universities. He has handled cases involving student discipline, faculty rights and tenure, academic freedom, and special education, among others.

Lopez is not certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in any of the 21 recognized legal specialties, and he has not applied for any such certification.