Maria Garrett

Maria A. Garrett

Associate
About

Maria Garrett represents employers in complex employment litigation and provides strategic counsel across the full spectrum of labor and employment matters. Her practice includes defending companies against claims of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wrongful termination, with a focus on matters involving executives and other high-stakes claims. Maria has developed a strong reputation for her work and expertise in non-compete and other restrictive covenant matters. She regularly leads litigation to uphold non-compete, non-solicitation, and confidentiality agreements, helping employers safeguard trade secrets and proprietary business information. Likewise, she counsels employers on the contours around hiring employees with restrictive covenants and leads their defense in litigation with new hires' former employers, helping protect her clients' ability to hire the best workforce. Maria’s experience spans state and federal courts across the country, as well as proceedings before administrative agencies such as the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Texas Workforce Commission.

In addition to her litigation practice, Maria advises clients throughout the employment lifecycle—from hiring and onboarding to separation. She works closely with employers to develop and refine workplace policies, employee handbooks, and training programs. Maria also drafts and negotiates employment agreements and separation packages tailored to business needs and legal compliance.

Maria’s practical, solutions-oriented approach supports employers in navigating sensitive workforce issues with confidence and clarity.

Bar admissionsTexas
CourtsUnited States District Court for the Northern District of TexasUnited States District Court for the Southern District of TexasUnited States District Court for the Eastern District of TexasUnited States District Court for the Western District of Texas

EXPERIENCE

  • Successfully defended multi-billion-dollar oil and gas company in temporary injunction proceedings, securing full enforcement of the company’s restrictive covenants for the duration of litigation and through the contractual restrictive period
  • Successfully defended cybersecurity solutions leader in preliminary injunction proceedings, securing denial of competitor’s request to enjoin client’s ability to hire employees and negotiating a favorable settlement that allowed the client to continue working with employees of choice
  • Conducted workplace investigations on behalf of several private and public companies to ensure compliance with applicable laws and mitigate risk, ultimately reporting results to executive teams and boards of directors
  • Secured summary judgment in favor of major building materials company in race discrimination and retaliation lawsuit
  • Negotiated and secured favorable settlement of sexual harassment lawsuit.
  • Represented nationwide insurance brokerage company in numerous lawsuits to enforce employee non-compete and confidentiality agreements. Successfully defended against anti-SLAPP (TCPA) motions in two cases
  • Conducted several employee training sessions on discrimination, retaliation, and other workplace issues
Education
  • J.D., Baylor University School of Law, 2016
    cum laude
  • B.A., University of Texas at Arlington, 2011

Clerk Experience

Served as law clerk to the Honorable Marcia A. Crone, United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, (2016–2018)

Memberships And Affiliations

  • Dallas Association of Young Lawyer
    • Aid to the Homeless Committee, Co-Chair, (2018–2022)
    • Judiciary Committee, Member, (2018–present)
  • Dallas Association of Young Lawyers 2019-2020 Leadership Class
  • Dallas Bar Association, (2018–present)
  • The Patrick E. Higginbotham American Inn of Court, Associate Member, (2022–2023)
  • Association of Former Law Clerks of the Eastern District of Texas, (2018–present)