Discrimination lawyers within 20 miles of Houston Texas

Carmen Jo Rejda-Ponce (“CJ”) is a Principal in Germer’s Houston office, but her practice takes her all across Texas. She regularly counsels and defends both private and public sector clients on matters involving employment issues and civil (constitutional) rights. She handles matters from the pre-claim and pre-suit stage, through litigation, and through appeal. She is Board Certified in Labor and Employment Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. CJ focuses on a broad range of labor and employment litigation, including, discrimination, harassment, hostile work environment, retaliation, disability accommodation, workers’ compensation retaliation, on-the-job injuries, and wage and hour issues. She has represented private and public sector clients in employment-related disputes before federal and state courts, federal and state administrative agencies, and arbitrators. CJ counsels private and public sector employers on labor and employment concerns, including, addressing medical leave, developing and revising workplace policies and procedures, investigating and addressing employee complaints, conducting employee disciplines and terminations, drafting employment, separation, and other agreements, and determining proactive solutions to workplace problems while avoiding litigation. CJ also defends public sector clients —including counties, cities, and law enforcement officers— in a variety of civil rights matters, including defense of first amendment retaliation, excessive force, wrongful arrest, inmate medical care, and jail death matters. Many of these civil rights matters involve qualified immunity issues for law enforcement officers. Through her civil rights defense work, CJ has gained appellate experience. She has handled multiple federal and state appeals. She has successfully argued for her clients twice before the Fifth Circuit, and is looking forward to more opportunities. CJ also has experience with personal injury litigation, including on-the job-injuries, motor vehicle accidents, and negligence claims against public entities. CJ’s private practice experience includes Baker Botts LLP and Reed Smith LLP. CJ also previously served as an Assistant City Attorney for the City of Houston in Labor, Employment, and Civil Rights Division. She was also a registered lobbyist during the 2013 Regular Session of the Texas Legislature.

Larry J. Simmons, Jr., a principal in the firm, has tried dozens of cases as lead attorney in a variety of commercial, employment, civil rights and personal injury lawsuits. Larry is one of only seven Texas attorneys double Board Certified as a Specialist in Labor & Employment Law (2005) and Personal Injury Trial Law (1999) by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Larry is AV rated by Martindale-Hubbell. He has been recognized as a “Texas Super Lawyer”, a Thompson Reuters publication, in 2007, 2010-2020, and 2022-2025. In 2015, he was recognized in the Top 100 Houston Super Lawyers List, a Thompson Reuters publication. Larry is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates, and is also listed in the 2010-2022 editions of The Best Lawyers in America, by BL Rankings. Larry represents dozens of public and private sector employers in a variety of matters, ranging from consultation to trial work, including general litigation, discrimination, wrongful termination and wage & hour class action cases. Larry also represents public sector clients in a variety of civil rights matters, including defending excessive force, inmate medical care and jail death cases, many of which have received national media attention. Larry graduated in the top five percent of his Baylor Law School class, receiving his Doctor of Jurisprudence degree, cum laude. While in law school he held several positions with the Baylor Law Review including Executive Editor, Research & Topics Editor and Notes & Comments Editor. He was elected to the Baylor Order of Barristers. He was selected as a Top Ten Speaker in Moot Court and was awarded an Academic Merit Scholarship. Prior to law school, Larry obtained a Bachelor of Science degree, magna cum laude, from Lamar University and a Masters degree in Engineering Management from Southern Methodist University. Larry is an active member of the local business community, currently serving on the state and local boards of multiple employer associations. He is also a member of the State Bar of Texas Labor & Employment Section, and Texas Association of Defense Counsel. He is admitted to practice before Texas courts, and the United States District Court for the Eastern, Southern and Western Districts of Texas. Larry has been a principal with Germer since January 1997.

Tiffany Pham is a Principal at Germer’s Houston Office, where she represents clients across Texas in labor, employment, and civil rights matters. Her practice encompasses the full spectrum of employment law, including discrimination claims, hostile work environment cases, wage disputes, and wrongful termination suits. She represents both public and private employers before state and federal courts and administrative agencies. She also advises and represents governmental entities and elected and appointed officials in civil rights matters. She has successfully defended cases involving First Amendment retaliation, excessive force, wrongful arrest, jail assaults, and jail death matters. Tiffany analyzes each case’s unique circumstances to develop tailored solutions that advance client interests while minimizing risk. She consistently delivers practical, results-oriented counsel that helps clients navigate legal challenges efficiently and effectively. She has been recognized as a Texas Super Lawyer Rising Star, a Thompson Reuters publication, in 2025.

Antonio “Tony” Ramirez joins Germer’s Houston office after working for a national law firm, representing both private and public employers in employment matters of all types in state and federal courts. Antonio has significant prior litigation experience, representing major insurance carriers and their insured in disputes involving allegations of discrimination, retaliation, hostile work environment, wrongful termination, and general litigation. Antonio also advises and represents governmental entities and elected and appointed government officials in civil rights matters, including First Amendment retaliation claims, excessive force, wrongful arrests, wrongful searches and seizures.

Ashok Bail is the principal attorney for The Bail Law Firm, a Houston, Texas law firm that practices federal & private sector employment law and labor law nationally and throughout the state of Texas. Mr. Bail has represented clients in the following Texas cities: Houston, Dallas, Fort Worth, Austin, San Antonio, McAllen, Marshall, Tyler, Corpus Christi, Laredo, El Paso, Beaumont, Brenham, Brownsville, El Campo, and Orange. Mr. Bail has represented clients in the following states across the United States of America: Texas, Washington D.C., Louisiana, Arizona, Florida, Illinois, New York, and North Carolina. With nearly two decades of experience, Mr. Bail's client centered approach is what distinguishes The Bail Law Firm from many other law firms. In our profession we are known as "Attorneys" and "Counselors of Law." Mr. Bail understands that his role as counselor is equally important as his role as attorney. When a client comes to visit Mr. Bail for the first time, Mr. Bail understands that it might be the first time the client has spoken to anyone who is interested in helping them with their legal issues. Mr. Bail listens to his clients.

William L. Nealy, IIhas been practicing law for almost 15 years. He received his undergraduate degree from Florida A & M University in accounting in April, 1997. He began working for Parker Hannifin as an accountant in their managerial accounting program in May of 1997; however, after a year and a half, he attended law school at the University of Houston Law Center in August, 1998. He received his law degree in May of 2001. William L. Nealy, II, was licensed to practice law in Texas in November of 2001. He began practicing with Davis & Associates, also in 2001, representing Plaintiffs in employment matters, discrimination, retaliation, sexual harassment, age discrimination, and religious discrimination. Additionally, William L. Nealy, II represented individuals in criminal matters on the state and federal level. As an associate, he represented clients in criminal appeals in federal court, civil appeals in federal court, and litigation in various employment matters, including sexual harassment, disability discrimination, national origin discrimination, retaliation, whistleblower actions, and worker’s compensation retaliation. William L. Nealy, II also represented clients in mediations and administrative hearings in regards to for cause termination. In April of 2005, William L. Nealy, II became licensed to practice law in Louisiana, where he began working for the Thomas Law Firm. At the Thomas Law Firm, William L. Nealy, II primarily represented a major insurance company in Louisiana and various individuals in Plaintiff’s lawsuits, mostly in personal injury, auto accidents, and wrongful death. William L. Nealy, II also handled several appeals, and represented Defendants in insurance contract disputes and post trial disputes regarding accidents, and subsequent injuries. William L. Nealy, II began his private practice in 2008, which is based in Houston, Texas, and primarily services Houston, Galveston, Pearland, Sugarland, Missouri City, and the surrounding area. Additionally, William L. Nealy, II provides legal services in Louisiana. The Law Office of William L. Nealy, II can represent you, whether you live in Fort Bend County, Brazoria County, Harris County, Montgomery County, Galveston County or Ascension Parish, East Baton Rouge Parish, or Orleans Parish. Call the Law Office of William L. Nealy, II and we will provide you with the unyielding fighting spirit that your lawsuit deserves!