Esteban Shardonofsky

Esteban (Steve) Shardonofsky is a Partner in the Labor and Employment Practice Group of Seyfarth Shaw LLP, and Chair of the Houston office Labor & Employment Department. He is Board Certified in Labor & Employment Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.

Mr. Shardonofsky represents employers and management in federal and state court, arbitration and before administrative agencies such as the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) in connection with all aspects of employment litigation—from inception through trial or arbitration, as well as on appeal.

He advises and represents clients in the energy/oil services, healthcare, construction, banking/finance, and hospitality industries. Mr. Shardonofsky has substantial expertise in defending employers in wage and hour class and collective action lawsuits, including matters involving allegations of misclassification of employees and failure to pay overtime.

He has also successfully defended employers in disputes with executives over breach of contract claims and has defended employment claims under various state and federal statutes, including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, Section 1981 of Title 42 of the United States Code, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Family Medical Leave Act, the Texas Workers’ Compensation Act, and the Texas Commission on Human Rights Act.

Mr. Shardonofsky also has experience litigating complex discrimination “pattern and practice” cases under Title VII. Mr. Shardonofsky provides employment counseling and best practices advice to managers and human resources professionals relating to personnel handbooks and policies, employee relations, internal complaints and investigations, FMLA and ADA accommodation and leave, as well as other employment issues which employers face routinely.

He also provides training for attorneys, executives, human resources professionals, and managers on best EEO practices, preventing sexual harassment, and avoiding employment litigation claims. Mr. Shardonofsky oversaw attorney pro-bono efforts in the Houston office from 2010 to 2014.

During that time, the Houston office twice won “pro bono office of the year” awards. He also participates in various pro bono activities, including prisoner civil rights cases and assisting unaccompanied and undocumented minors through immigration proceedings.

Education:

• J.D., University of Houston Law Center (2005)
  • Head Articles Editor, Houston Journal of International Law
  • Order of the Barons
• B.A., University of Houston, summa cum laude (2002)
• Certified Lean Six Sigma Green Belt