Nichole M. Plagens

Nichole M. Plagens is a senior associate in the employment and labor law group.  Nichole focuses her practice on the efficient and effective resolution of employment disputes.  She concentrates on the defense of employers in matters involving discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wage and hour disputes, and other employment-related tort claims. Nichole frequently prosecutes claims for breach of covenants not to compete and represents clients enforcing confidentiality and non-solicitation agreements.

Nichole has experience in all stages of litigation including claim investigation; preparing and defending witnesses for depositions; drafting legal motions, discovery requests and responses, and other substantive pleadings; arguing substantive pleadings; negotiating settlements; and trying cases in state and federal court. She also provides advice and counsel to assist clients in minimizing the risk of litigation and by drafting employment agreements, handbooks, and other employment-related documents to comply with federal, state, and local law.

Nichole received her J.D. from the  Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law, graduating cum laude.  While in law school, she was selected as CLE Editor for the SMU Law Review Association, competed in the AAJ Student Trial Advocacy Competition, and was a member of SMU’s ABA Labor & Employment Trial Advocacy Team that won the regional and national competition.  Prior to law school, Nichole earned a B.A. in political philosophy with a concentration in international studies, graduating magna cum laude from the University of Dallas.

Representative Matters

• Obtained defense verdict as second-chair in federal jury trial representing employer sued for unpaid overtime claim brought pursuant to the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
• Obtained defense verdict as second-chair in state jury trial representing employer against claims of discrimination and retaliation brought pursuant to Chapter 21 of the Texas Labor Code.
• Obtained summary judgment for multiple government employers in cases involving discrimination, retaliation, sexual harassment, and Section 1983 Claims.
• Obtained summary judgment for hospital employer in case involving discrimination and retaliation brought pursuant to Title VII.

Education

Associations & Memberships

American Bar Association

Dallas Bar Association

Dallas Young Lawyer’s Association

Dallas Regional Chamber Young Professionals

LEAD YP Class of 2020

DAYL Trial Skills Boot Camp Committee, Co-chair

Dallas Bar Association Labor & Employment Section

State Bar of Texas

Bar None Cast Member supporting the Sarah T. Hughes Diversity Scholarship, 2019-Present

Mock Trial Coach for SMU Dedman School of Law, 2014-2018

Honors & Awards

Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch, Woodward White, Inc.
2021-2022

Texas Rising Stars, Thomson Reuters
2021

Bar Admissions

Texas, 2012

U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Texas

U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas

U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas

U.S. District Court, Western District of Texas

2020 State and Federal Law Employment Update, 2020  NBI Labor & Employment Seminar

The Texas Whistleblower Act: What is it & What are Courts Saying?, 2018 Dallas Bar Association Labor & Employment Section CLE Presentation

EEOC and LGBT: Advising Employers and Employees, January 2017, Dallas Bar Association Headnotes

Responding to EEOC and State Agency Charges, 2017 NBI Labor & Employment Seminar

2017 State and Federal Employment Law Update, 2017 NBI Labor & Employment Seminar

The Basics of Qualified Immunity, 2014 State Bar of Texas Government Law Boot Camp

Title VII v. TCHRA: Who Cares?, 2013 UT School of Law School Law Conference