Fisher Phillips on Monday announced it has hired Reed Smith labor and employment partner Emily Harbison, who will serve as the firm’s regional managing partner in Houston.
Harbison was at Reed Smith for nearly four years, and practiced at Baker McKenzie for 14 years prior to that. She will take over the regional managing partner mantle from Joe Gagnon, who served in the role for the past year.
“It is an exciting time to take the reins here in Houston as the firm is poised for even more growth in Texas and beyond,” Harbison said in a news release. “I am looking forward to integrating myself into Fisher Phillips’ incredible network of lawyers both here in Texas and around the globe, and I plan to do whatever I can to inspire and grow the firm’s brand in the local market as we continue to attract, support and retain the best talent in the region.”
In her practice, Harbison represents employers, advising and counseling on all sorts of labor and employment law issues, including claims of discrimination, retaliation, wrongful discharge and wage and hour disputes. She’s handled class action disputes as well as labor relations issues and advises clients on best practices and proactive strategies to help avoid litigation.
Harbison will be just the third regional managing partner in Houston since that office opened in 2007. Steve Roppolo held the job prior to Gagnon. Fisher Phillips’ Chairman and Managing Partner, John Polson, praised both former regional managing partners in a statement.
“Steve led the office since its opening in 2007 and we are just so grateful for his dedication and positive contributions over the years,” he said. “From the beginning, he and Joe had worked side by side to create a strong foundation upon which a new leader like Emily will be able to continue to grow the firm’s impact in the region.”
Fisher Phillips has experienced significant growth in Texas, adding 10 lawyers across its offices in Dallas and Houston within the past year.
Harbison earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Texas at Austin in 2003 and is a 2007 graduate of the University of Houston Law Center.