Henry H. Robinson

Biography

Henry H. Robinson is a partner in Kelly Hart & Hallman LLP and is the head of its Labor and Employment practice group. He did his undergraduate work at the University of North Carolina and graduated with a juris doctor from Cornell Law School in 1974. In 1975, he obtained his masters in Industrial and Labor Relations from Cornell University.

Mr. Robinson counsels and represents clients in all areas of labor and employment law. Clients value his advice and abilities in and out of the courtroom. He is listed among the "Texas Super Lawyers" in Texas Monthly magazine and in The Best Lawyers in America.

Mr. Robinson has extensive experience in diverse industries such as transportation, retail, oil and gas, banking, finance, telecommunications, health care, technology, manufacturing and sales. His experience includes single-plaintiff and multi-plaintiff litigation as well as class actions and collective actions. He has handled litigation before federal and state forums in Texas and many other states and before a host of arbitration forums.

Mr. Robinson counsels clients on employment practices and policies designed to avoid potential problems and minimize risk. When an issue exists, he identifies options and their respective advantages and disadvantages. In litigation, he gives personal attention at all phases: discovery, motion practice, summary proceedings, settlement negotiations, and mediation, trial and appeal.

Mr. Robinson’s experience includes assisting clients on the following:

• Discrimination, harassment and retaliation issues
• Wrongful termination issues
• Family leave issues
• Wage and hour issues
• Covenants not to compete and confidentiality and trade secret issues
• Fiduciary duty issues
• Employment agreement issues
• Workplace violence issues
• Whistleblower issues
• Constitutional issues
• Tortious interference, conspiracy, negligence, and defamation issues
• Preventative union programs
• Union organizing issues
• Unfair labor practices
• Union-management negotiations
• Executive Order 11246, equal opportunity clauses, and compliance issues

Before entering private practice, Mr. Robinson worked as an in-house attorney for a labor union and has taught labor law, industrial relations, and organizational behavior. In addition to his current practice, he is a speaker on labor and employment law issues. Before entering the practice of law, Mr. Robinson served in the United States Army (Intelligence) in Vietnam and was awarded the Bronze Star and other medals.

Henry and his wife have two sons. In addition to his framed academic degrees and license to practice law, his office contains a gallery of photos of New York Yankees sluggers. Henry’s competitive instincts extend to the billiards table, where a “friendly” game of 8-ball is merely a euphemism.

Education & Honors

• University of North Carolina, A.B., 1969
• Cornell Law School, J.D., 1974
• Cornell University, Masters in Industrial and Labor Relations, 1975
• Listed, The Best Lawyers in America
• Listed, Texas Super Lawyers in Texas Monthly magazine

Admission & Affiliations

• Texas (1975)
• U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit
• U.S. District Court, Western District of Texas
• U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas
• U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Texas
• U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas
• United States Supreme Court

Papers for Continuing Legal Education

• “Employment Implications of Sarbanes-Oxley” (2004)
• “The Legal Side of Strategic Keys to Successful Reorganizations” (2002) (co-author)
• “What is the Meaning of the ‘At-Will’ Rule and What Are Its Limits?” (2001)
• “Successful Navigation Through the Waterways of Multiple Affirmative Action Programs and OFCCP Regulatory Requirements” (2001)
• “Exceptions to the Employment At-Will Doctrine in Texas” (2001)
• “A Simple Roadmap to the Intersections of Employment and Environmental Regulations” (1996) (co-author)
• “Employment Discrimination and Harassment” (1995)
• “Texas Labor and Employment Law” (1992)
• “New and Emerging Issues in Employment Law” (1991)
• “Wrongful Discharge and Work-Related Torts” (1991)
• “Employment Law in Texas II: Employment At-Will, Negligence, and Employer Liability, Drug Testing, and Other Emerging Areas of Liability” (1989)
• “Employee Polygraph Protection Act of 1988: An Overview” (1989)
• “Workers Compensation and Unemployment Compensation” (1986)
• “Legislation: What Did Pass, What Didn’t, What May” (1986)

Books and Articles

• Co-Author, "Companies Must Cope with Ledbetter Fair Pay Act," Fort Worth Business Press, April 13, 2009.
• Co-Author, "Don't Overlook Downturn's Hidden Costs," Fort Worth Business Press, November 17, 2008. 
• Negotiability in the Federal Sector (220 pages) Cornell/American Arbitration Assn. (1st printing 1981, 2nd printing 1983)
• Co-Author, “Report of the Committee on Federal Service Labor-Management Relations Law,” Section of Labor and Employment Law, 1982 ABA Committee Reports, Vol. II, p. 75
• “Challenges for Federal Sector Arbitration,” 4 Federal Service Labor Relations Review 30 (Fall 1981)

Other

• “Supreme Court Sparks Revival of Non-Competes” (2006)