Peter Stuhldreher

Peter J. Stuhldreher partners with employers on employment issues, including consistently achieving successful results for employers in state and federal courts across the country and before administrative agencies. Peter also regularly provides employers with proactive and business-focused counseling on employment issues.

Peter understands the increasing challenges employers face in protecting their trade secrets and business goodwill, particularly as electronic data storage becomes more readily available and complex, and as the workforce continues to exhibit greater mobility.

He has substantial experience litigating cases involving misappropriation of trade secrets and restrictive covenants, including representing clients in such matters involving requests for temporary restraining orders and temporary injunctions. The Houston Chronicle newspaper described Peter’s arguments in one such case as presenting “a gripping cloak-and-dagger tale.”

Peter regularly defends employers in wage and hour cases, including putative class and collective actions under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and state wage and hour laws. Those cases have involved allegations related to misclassification and exempt status, failure to pay overtime and “off-the-clock” work, failure to pay minimum wage, tip pools and tip credits.

Peter’s practice also includes representing employers in courts across the country in lawsuits involving allegations of discrimination, harassment and retaliation. In addition, Peter has defended employers in cases involving claims by employees seeking payment of commissions and bonuses, as well as claims by former executives seeking payments under severance, retention and change-in-control agreements.

In addition to his litigation practice, Peter frequently counsels employers of all sizes and across industries on employment law issues, including drafting confidentiality and restrictive covenant agreements, employment policies and compensation plans.

Peter also advises employers on issues related to the protection of trade secrets, state and federal wage and hour laws, employee social media use, and state and federal discrimination laws. Peter regularly advises employers on employment law aspects of mergers and acquisitions as well.

Education :

• University of Houston, 2006, J.D.
• University of Notre Dame, 2003, B.B.A., Marketing

Professional Admissions & Qualifications : Texas

Court Admissions :

• U.S. District Court – Northern District of Texas
• U.S. District Court – Southern District of Texas
• U.S. District Court – Eastern District of Texas
• Texas State Court

Professional Affiliations : Texas Bar Foundation – Fellow

EXPERIENCE :

• Obtained early voluntary dismissal with prejudice in the Southern District of Texas on behalf of an international food products distribution company in a disability discrimination lawsuit filed by former employee alleging he was terminated due to a purported disability
• Defended demolition company in connection with FLSA putative collective action in which current and former employees alleged claims related to off-the-clock work and failure to include commissions in the regular rate of pay.
• Represented oil field products company in connection with claims against a former employee and his new employer related to misappropriation of trade secrets.
• Represented technology company in lawsuit involving claims of race and disability discrimination, retaliation, and hostile work environment.
• Represented technology company in lawsuit involving claims of disability and gender discrimination, and retaliation.