Soña Ramirez

Profile

Soña Ramirez represents employers in employment-related litigation before federal and state courts and administrative agencies.  She has handled discrimination claims, wage and hour disputes, sexual harassment and retaliation claims.  Ms. Ramirez also provides day-to-day employment counseling to employers regarding issues related to unemployment compensation, leaves of absence, the Family and Medical Leave Act, wage and hour compliance, garnishments, employee discipline, hiring, promotions and terminations, including reductions in force. 

Ms. Ramirez also assists employers with drafting employee handbooks and employment policies, drafting and negotiating employment agreements, including confidentiality, non-competition, non-solicitation, independent contractor,  and severance agreements.  Ms. Ramirez also conducts on-site employee, management and human resources training regarding compliance with federal and state employment laws.

Prior to joining Ogletree Deakins, Ms. Ramirez practiced at a large, full-service law firm in Austin, where she represented companies in a wide variety of civil litigation and employment matters.  She also served as Briefing Attorney to Chief Justice Phil Hardberger and Justice Phyllis Speedlin with the Fourth Court of Appeals in San Antonio, Texas.

Experience

Experience: 
  • Obtained judgment from Fifth Circuit in favor of employer in suit brought by former female warden alleging claims of age, sex and race discrimination, retaliation and hostile work environment. 
  • Obtained jury verdict in Western District of Texas in favor of employer in suit brought by two former employees alleging sex discrimination, harassment and retaliation.
  • Obtained summary judgment in Western District of Texas in favor of national clothing retailer in suit brought by former employee alleging race discrimination and retaliation under Title VII. 
  • Obtained summary judgment in Western District of Texas in favor of employer in suit brought by former employee alleging national origin discriminati1on, retaliation, hostile work environment, Sabine Pilot claims, and violations of the Family and Medical Leave Act.
  • Obtained summary judgment in Southern District of Texas in favor of national education center in suit brought by former employee alleging age discrimination, retaliation and hostile work environment.
  • Obtained summary judgment in Western District of Texas in favor of national health services company in medical malpractice case on basis of striking medical causation expert; decision affirmed by the Fifth Circuit.
  • Representation of federally qualified health care clinic in all aspects of receivership proceedings.

Education and Honors

Education: 

J.D., St. Mary’s University School of Law, 2002
B.A., St. Mary’s University, 1998

Honors and Awards: 
  • St. Mary's Law Journal (Editorial Board, Articles Editor, 2001-2002; Staff Writer, 2000-2001)
  • Rising Star, Texas Monthly (2010, 2011)
  • Recipient, Baker Botts Austin 2005 Judge Thomas Gibbs Gee Award for Outstanding Pro Bono Service

Professional Activities

Professional Activities: 
  • American Bar Association (Labor and Employment Section)
  • Federal Bar Association, San Antonio Chapter
  • San Antonio Human Resources Management Association
  • Texas Bar Association (Employment Law Section)
  • Bexar County Women’s Bar Association
  • San Antonio Bar Association (Federal Courts Committee)
  • Dress for Success San Antonio (2011-2012 Gala Chair)
  • San Antonio Optimist Club (Children’s Cancer Committee)
Speeches:
  • 2011 SAHRMA and SAMA Employment Law Conference - "When is Enough, Enough? Dealing with Leaves and Accommodations" - San Antonio - August 25, 2011
  • 2011 Rio Grande Valley SHRM Employment Law Seminar - "Social Media Policies – Why We Need Them and What They Should Include" - McAllen - June 22, 2011
  • Ogletree Deakins Seminar - "Social Media Policies – Why We Need Them and What They Should Include" - Corpus Christi - June 21, 2011
  • 2010 Rio Grande Valley Human Resources Consortium Seminar - "Discipline and Discharge" - McAllen - 2010
  • Ogletree Deakins Seminar - "Managing Time Off While Staying in Compliance with the New ADA and FMLA Requirements" - San Antonio - November 12, 2009
  • 2009 Rio Grande Valley SHRM Seminar - "Managing Time Off While Staying in Compliance with the New ADA and FMLA Requirements" - McAllen - November 2009
  • 2009 Rio Grande Valley SHRM Seminar - "Lilly Ledbetter Act" - McAllen - November 2009
  • Workers’ Compensation Update Lorman Seminar - "Interplay between FMLA and Other Laws, A Practical Guide" - San Antonio - January 27, 2009
  • Employee Discharge and Documentation in Texas Lorman Seminar - "How to Handle Terminations" - San Antonio - June 18, 2008
  • Employment Law from A to Z in Texas Lorman Seminar - "At-Will Employment" - San Antonio - January 25, 2008