Michael (“Mike”) Bell represents employers in all aspects of labor and employment law, focusing his practice on the defense of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation claims, employment-related torts, and civil rights claims under state and federal law. A native of Charlotte, North Carolina, Mr. Bell obtained his bachelor’s degree, summa cum laude, in English and History from Appalachian State University. He received his law degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he captained the school’s Environmental Negotiation Moot Court team. Mr. Bell is Board Certified in Labor and Employment Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and was named a “Rising Star” by Texas Monthly magazine for 2008, 2009, and 2010.
Experience
Mr. Bell has successfully litigated numerous disputes on behalf of employers involving a wide variety of employment law issues, including discrimination and retaliation, sexual harassment, unfair labor practices, collective bargaining agreements, covenants not to compete, trade secret misappropriation, and alleged violations of the Family and Medical Leave Act and Fair Labor Standards Act. He also has broad experience in developing employee handbooks and employment contracts, training managers, reducing potential liability, addressing problematic employee situations, and responding to EEOC and state agency charges of discrimination.
Texas
U.S. District Court, Eastern and Northern Districts of Texas
U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit
Education and Honors
- "Rising Star" by Texas Monthly (2008, 2009, and 2010)
Professional Activities
- Dallas Bar Association
- Dallas Association of Young Lawyers
- 21st Annual State Bar of Texas Labor and Employment Law Update - "Reductions in Force" - San Antonio - September 18, 2010
- Ogletree Deakins Breakfast Briefing - "Right-Sizing Your Workplace" - Dallas - November 5, 2009
In The News
- July/August 2008 - Journal of Corporate Recruiting and Leadership - "What You Do Know Can Hurt You: Potential Legal Pitfalls of Using Social Networking Websites in the Recruiting Process"
- May 2008 - Journal of Corporate Recruiting and Leadership - "Avoiding Discrimination Claims Stemming from Pre-employment Physical and Psychological Testing"
- November 2006 - Journal of Corporate Recruiting and Leadership - "When Johnny Comes Marching Home…and Needs a Job: Employment Discrimination Against Veterans"
- October 2006 - Journal of Corporate Recruiting and Leadership - "Considering Personal Appearance in the Recruiting Process"