Ethel J. Johnson

Partner

Ethel J. Johnson represents clients across the United States in the areas of labor and employment law, pharmaceutical/products liability and life sciences litigation. Her labor and employment practice includes discrimination and retaliation matters, wage and hour class/collective actions, complex employment litigation, employee benefits litigation, noncompetition/nondisclosure matters, and labor arbitrations. Her work spans multiple industries and sectors, including energy, life sciences and biotechnology, financial services and banking, telecommunications, and transportation.

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We are Morgan Lewis: Ethel J. Johnson

Partner, Houston

Extended Profile

In addition to serving clients in litigation matters, Ethel counsels employers in matters including diversity and inclusion counseling, workplace culture assessments, discipline and discharge, wage and hour compliance, workplace privacy, internal investigations, employee handbooks and manuals, employment agreements (including noncompetition and nondisclosure agreements), leave policies and practices, drug and alcohol abuse issues, workplace training, and numerous other human resources–related issues.

Ethel has been recognized as a leading employment lawyer by publications that include Chambers USA, Super Lawyers, Best Lawyers, Human Resource Executive Magazine, and Lawdragon. She is also active in numerous organizations and frequently speaks at employment-related seminars.

Before practicing law, Ethel was a telecommunications engineer for Electronic Data Systems.

Education

University of Texas School of Law, 1991, J.D.
Siena Heights College, 1987, B.S., Electronics Engineering

Admissions

Texas
US Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
US District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
US District Court for the Northern District of Texas
US District Court for the Southern District of Texas
US District Court for the Western District of Texas
State Bar of Texas, Labor and Employment Law, Board Certified

Awards and Affiliations

Ranked, Labor and Employment Law, Texas, Chambers USA (2005–2011, 2021, 2022)

Life Sciences Star, Non-IP Litigation & Enforcement, LMG Life Sciences (2020, 2021)

Member, Practice Group of the Year, Employment, Law360 (2017, 2019)

Recommended, Labor and employment - Labor and employment litigation disputes (including collective actions) - defense, The Legal 500 US (2017–2019)

Recommended, Dispute resolution: Product liability, mass tort and class action: pharmaceuticals and medical devices – defense, The Legal 500 US (2018, 2019)

Recommended, Labor and employment - Workplace and employment counseling, The Legal 500 US (2017)

Top Woman Lawyer, The Best Lawyers in America (2017)

Recognized, Employment Law – Management, Houston; Labor Law – Management, Houston, The Best Lawyers in America (2010–2020, 2022)

Recognized, Texas Super Lawyers (2003–present)

Recognized, Most Powerful Employment Attorneys, Human Resource Executive Magazine and Lawdragon (2011–2012)

Member, American Bar Association, Section of Labor and Employment Law

Member, Houston Bar Association

Member, National Order of Barristers

Member, State Bar of Texas, Section of Labor and Employment Law