Jack Wisdom

Mr. Wisdom is Board Certified in Labor and Employment Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. He handles complex labor and employment disputes in state and federal courts and in arbitrations and he often represents clients throughout the United States before a variety of governmental agencies, including OSHA, EEOC, NLRB, and DOL. Mr. Wisdom regularly counsels with clients on employee terminations, employment policies, employment contracts, covenants not to compete, wage and hour issues, leaves of absence, hiring, training, union avoidance, and drug testing. Mr. Wisdom has advised clients in union campaigns from coast to coast. He speaks and writes frequently on employment related issues, and serves as an arbitrator and mediator in employment cases. Mr. Wisdom also has served as General Counsel for Houston Baptist University. Mr. Wisdom has been selected by his peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© list, by Woodward/White, Inc., in the fields of Employment Law – Management and Labor Law – Management every year since 2007. The same organization has identified Mr. Wisdom as the best employment lawyer in Houston two times. This prestigious list is compiled through a confidential peer review of lawyers across a spectrum of 30 specific practice areas from all 50 states and the District of Columbia. CBS Morning News has referred to this list as “All the Right Lawyers.” In his abundant spare time, Mr. Wisdom writes books on theology and blood-and-guts Texas country songs.

Named to the Texas Super Lawyers list by Super Lawyers®, a Thomson Reuters business, as featured in Texas Monthly and Texas Super Lawyers magazines (2003-Present)

Selected by his peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® list in the fields of Employment Law – Management and Labor Law – Management in 2007-Present (Copyright 2012 by Woodward/White, Inc., of Aiken, SC)

Recognized by H Texas Magazine as one of Houston's Top Lawyers (2004 -Present)

Representative Matters

Civic

Ecclesia, Elder

Young Life, Volunteer Leader

Houston Graduate School of Theology, Trustee

Patient Advocate Foundation, Board Member

Professional

State Bar of Texas

Houston Bar Association

Christian Legal Society

News

Publications

Legal Publications/Presentations

Speaker, “Man’s Continuing Inhumanity to Man:  Employment Law Update 2019,” CPE by the Sea, Houston CPA Society, June 2019.

Speaker, “Man’s Continuing Inhumanity to Man:  Employment Law Update 2019,” Spring Accounting Expo, Houston CPA Society, May 2019.

Article, “Always Be Closing,” Forum Magazine, Houston CPA Society, April/May 2019.

Speaker, “Be Reasonable! A Guide to Battle-Ready Restrictive Covenants,” Valve Industry Knowledge Forum, April 2019.

Speaker, “Employment Law 2018:  #MeToo and other Notable Developments,” CPE by the Sea Conference, Houston CPA Society, June 2018.

Speaker, “Employment Law 2018:  #MeToo and other Notable Developments,” Spring Accounting Expo, Houston CPA Society, May 2018.

Speaker, “Stormy Waters:  Navigating the Rising Tide of Employment Litigation,” Construction Financial Management Association, April 2018.

Speaker, “Employment Law 2017:  Risk Reduction Strategies for People Who are Good at Math (and the People Who Love Them),” CFO/Controller’s Conference, Houston CPA Society, September 2017.

Speaker, “Nobody Told Me About This:  Navigating Personnel Issues in the Nonprofit Setting,” Deloitte Tax-Exempt Organization Forum, June 9, 2017.

Speaker, “Overtime Law 2017:  Legal Trends, Private Jets and Practical Tips,” CPE by the Sea, Houston CPA Society, June 2017.

Speaker, “Brave New World or Apocalypse Now?  2017 Employment Law Update,” Spring Accounting Expo, Houston CPA Society, May 2017.

Speaker, “Now More Than Ever, You Still Can’t Make This Stuff Up! A 2016 Employment Law Update,” CPE by the Sea, Houston CPA Society, June 2016.

Speaker, “Now More Than Ever, You Still Can’t Make This Stuff Up! A 2016 Employment Law Update,” Spring Accounting Expo, Houston CPA Society, May 2016.Speaker, “You Still Can’t Make This Stuff Up! An Employment Law Update 2015,” Spring Accounting Expo, Houston CPA Society, May 2015.

Speaker, “Ethics for In-House Labor & Employment Lawyers (and the People who Love them),” American Petroleum Labor Lawyers Association, October 2014.

Speaker, “You Can’t Make This Stuff Up! Employment Law Update 2014,” CPE by the Sea, Houston CPA Society, June 2014.

Speaker, “You Can’t Make This Stuff Up! Employment Law Update 2014,” Spring Accounting Expo, Houston CPA Society, May 2014.

Speaker, “Religious Discrimination in the Age after the Age of Aquarius,” Houston Bar Association, August 2013.

Speaker, “The Sound and the Fury: 2013 Employment Law Update,” CPE by the Sea, June 2013.

Speaker, “The Sound and the Fury: 2013 Employment Law Update,” Spring Accounting Expo, Houston CPA Society, May 2013.

Speaker, “Employment Law 2012: Postcards from the Edge,” CPE by the Sea, June 2012.

Speaker, “Labor Laws in the Restaurant World,” Greater Houston Restaurant Association, October 2011.

Speaker, “How to Advise Your Contractor When OSHA Shows Up?” Construction Law Seminar, University of Texas at Austin, September 2011.

Speaker, “Employment Law 2011: What the Heck is Going On?” Spring Accounting Expo, Houston CPA Society, May 2011.

Panelist, “Employment Law,” National Association of Legal Search Consultants, April 2011.

Speaker, “Employment Law in Tumultuous Times,” CPE Tax Expo, Houston CPA Society CPE Tax Expo Committee, January 2011.

Speaker, “Employment Law 2010: Recent Developments and Hot Topics,” Spring Accounting Expo, Houston CPA Society, May 2010.

Speaker, “Employment Law 2010: An Update in Interesting Times,” Nonprofit Organizations Conference, Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants, May 2010.

Speaker, “OSHA: A Practical Guide for Employers,” Frost Insurance, April 2010.

Speaker and Author, “Defense Strategies for Employment Law Trials,” Labor and Employment Law Conference, May 2009. Co-authored with Diana Perez Gomez.

Speaker, “Employment Law Update 2009,” Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants, May 2009.

Speaker, “The Ties That May or May Not Bind: Employment Agreements and Restrictive Covenants in Texas,” Spring Accounting Expo, May 28-29, 2008.

Speaker, “Questions and Answers on Workers' Compensation Retaliation,” Lorman Education Services, April 23, 2008.

Speaker, “OSHA: A Practical Guide for Employers,” Frost Insurance, March 2008.

Speaker, “Risk Reduction Strategies for Employers in the Great State of Texas,” Frost Insurance, March 2008.

Speaker, “OSHA Update,” Frost Insurance, October 18, 2007.

Moderator and Speaker, “Employment Law Update,” Council on Education, February 26-27, 2007.

Speaker, “Religious Discrimination in the Age of Aquarius,” Gulf Coast Symposium on HR Issues, March 27-28, 2007.

Speaker, “Religious Discrimination in the Age of Aquarius,” Spring Accounting Expo., May 23-24, 2007.

Speaker, “OSHA Update,” Frost Insurance, October 18, 2007.

Speaker, “Ethical Issues in Employment Litigation, Advanced Employment Law, University of Houston Law Foundation, April 2006.

Speaker, “Employment Torts,” 2006 Gulf Coast Symposium on Human Resource Issues, April 4-5, 2006.

Key Note Speaker, “Employer Bleepers, Bloopers & Blunders,” Mid-Marketing Business Summit, April 4, 2006.

Speaker, “Employment Law Torts,” 2005 Spring accounting Expo., April 19-20, 2005.

Speaker, “Wages and Hour Update: New Regulation and Ancient Mysteries,” 2005 Gulf Coast Symposium on Human Resource Issues, April 12-13, 2005.

Moderator and Speaker, “FMLA Update 2005,” Council on Education in Management, January 25-26, 2005.

Speaker, “Employer-Side Employment Law,” University of Houston Law Center Continuing Legal Education, December, 2005.

Moderator and Speaker, “Texas Discipline and termination Law Update, 2004: Best Practices in Employee Discipline, Discharge and Documentation,” Council on Education in Management, October 12, 2004.

Speaker, “Texas Wage and Hour Update,” National Business Institute, July 15, 2004.

Moderator and Speaker, “Personel Law Update 2004,” Council on Education in Management, June 9-10, 2004.

Speaker, “Workplace Privacy: Selected Issues,” 2004 Spring Accounting Expo., May, 2004.

Editor, “Texas Employment Newsbrief,” Martin, Disiere, Jefferson and Wisdom, L.L.P., May 15, 2002 – 2003.

“Background Checks & Hiring Decisions,” Sterling Education Services, L.L.C., November 19, 2003.

“FLSA Questions and Answers,” Bay City Chamber of Commerce, October 22, 2003.

Moderator and Speaker, “Managing Employee Discipline, Discharge & Documentation in Texas,” Council on Education in Management, September 22, 2003.

“Basic Wage and Hour Law in Texas,” National Business Institute, August 26, 2003.

“Employer Foul-Ups, Bleeps and Blunders,” 14th Annual Spring Accounting Expo, April 21-22, 2003.

“FLSA Today – Living with an Antiquated Statute,” TELC Educational Conference and Spring Meeting, February 28, 2003.

Moderator and Speaker, “Texas Personnel Law Update 2003,” Council on Education in Management, February 6-7, 2003.

“Avoiding Employment Claims: Hiring, Firing & Promotion Practices,” Employment and Labor Law Seminar, University of Houston, September, 2002.

“FMLA, ADA, and Workers’ Compensation: Onward Through the Fog,” Texas Association of Business, July 18, 2002.

“Hot Topics Under the FLSA and Leading Developments Under the FMLA,” Labor and Employment Law Conference, South Texas College of Law, July, 2002.

“Multi-Employer Work Sites: Practical and Legal Implications,” EHS Seminar, Texas Chemical Council and Association of Chemical Industry of Texas, June 2, 2002.

“Privacy Issues in the Workplace,” Texas Society of CPAs, May 21, 2002.

“Wage and Hour Update: Hot Topics and Harsh Realities,” Gulf Coast Symposium on Human Resource Issues, April 17, 2002.

“An Introduction to Employment Practice Liability Insurance in Texas,” Employment Law for Lawyers and Human Resource Professionals Seminar, University of Houston Law Center, November and December, 2001.

“Wage and Hour Update: Hot Topics and Harsh Realities,” Houston Bar Association – Corporate Counsel Section, October 11, 2001.

“Employment Practices Liability Policies: Developing Coverage and Preserving Defenses,” Advanced Employment Law Seminar, University of Houston Law Foundation, August 2001.

“Employer Foul-Ups, Bleeps and Blunders,” Texas Society of CPA’s, June 21, 2001.

“Hiring and Firing – How to Avoid Being Sued,” Texas Society of CPA’s, May 24, 2001.

“Exempt or Non Exempt: Why is the FLSA So Confusing & Legally Devastating if Your Classification is Wrong?” Council on Education in Management, April 9, 2001.

“Employment Practice Liability Insurance Policies,” University of Houston Law Foundation Advanced Employment Law Seminar, February & August, 2001.

“Employment 101: Hiring, Firing & Documentation,” Stromer Education Services Inc., August 24, 2000.

“Employer Foul-Ups, Bleeps & Blounders,” Texas Society of CPA’s, October 5, 2000.

•“Risk Reduction Strategies for Hiring, Firing & Documentation,” IMA - Houston Chapter, November 16, 2000.

“Is an Employee’s Inability to Get Along with Others a Major Life Activity Under the ADA?” Tower Times, May 2000. Co-authored with Stephanie Perin Slobin.

“Risk Reduction Strategies for Hiring and Firing Employees: Part One,” Tower Times, March 2000. Co-authored with Stephanie Perin Slobin.

“How to Draft an Effective Employment Application,” Tower Times, February 2000. Co-authored with Stephanie Perin Slobin.

“Control Attendance Without Breaking the Law,” Tower Times, January 2000. Co-authored with Stephanie Perin Slobin.

“Take Steps to Prevent Workplace Violence,” Tower Times, December 1999. Co-authored with Stephanie Perin Slobin.

“How to Avoid Punitive Damages in Discrimination Cases,” Tower Times, November 1999. Co-authored with Stephanie Perin Slobin.

“FLSA Questions and Answers,” Tower Times, October 1999.

“Practice and Procedure in an OSHA Inspection,” Houston Lawyer, July-Aug., 1996.

“Miscellaneous Texas Laws,” Texas Employment Law Handbook, 1996.

“Texas Commission on Human Rights Act,” Texas Employment Law Handbook, 1999.

“Managing a Reduction in Force,” Houston Lawyer, Sept-October, 1994.

“Proving Up Attorney's Fees at Trial," Houston Lawyer, Sept-October, 1990.

“Avoiding Costly Bloopers and Blunders: Risk Reduction Strategies for Hiring, Firing and Documentation,” Texas Society of CPAs, May 26, 2000.

“Questions and Answers on the FLSA,” Texas Employment Law Council, March 3, 2000.

“Creating a Safe and Productive Workplace that Complies with New OSHA Standards,” Council on Educational in Management Workers’ Comp Update, 1999. Co-authored with Andrew A. Adams.

“How to Apply Leave of Absence Policies without Breaking the Law,” Stromar Educational Services Employer and Employee Issues Seminar, June 29, 1999. Co-authored with Andrew A. Adams.

“Managing Today’s Employee: Risk Reduction Strategies for Hiring, Firing and Documentation,” Denton Human Resources Association Conference, 1999.

“The Hiring Process: Selected Legal Issues and Practical Guidelines,” Non-Profit Organizations Conference, May 17-18, 1999.

“Avoiding Employment Law Claims: Hiring, Firing and Promotion Practices,” Employment Law Seminar, University of Houston Law Center, February, 1999.

“Controlling Absenteeism Without Breaking the Law,” Council on Education in Management, November 10, 1998.

Non-Legal Publications

"Breaking Good: Repentance as a way of life," (2016)

“The Last Eyewitness,” World Publishing, Inc., (translation consultant) (2006)

“Bogus Peace Versus Reconciliation,” The High Calling of Our Daily Work, www.highcalling.org (2006)

“God’s Comic Flair,” The High Calling of Our Daily Work www.thehighcalling.org (2005)

“RX for Chronic Wisdom Deficiency Syndrome,” The High Calling of Our Daily Work, www.thehighcalling.org (2005)

“Self Mastery and The Imperishable Prize,” The High Calling of Our Daily Work www.thehighcalling.org (2005)

“The Knuckleheads,” The High Calling of Our Daily Work www.thehighcalling.org. (2005)

Newsbriefs