Mariah Berry

Mariah Berry counsels employers on their obligations under the federal and state labor and employment laws, and litigates all types of employment-related matters for the firm’s clients.  Before joining MMD, Mariah practiced at a well-established trial firm.  This experience has equipped Mariah with the foresight to advise clients on strategic impact and likely consequences of their business operation and employment decisions.

REPRESENTATIVE EXPERIENCE
Litigation
  • Obtained Rule 91a dismissal of sexual harassment and sexual assault claims in state court
  • Obtained summary judgment on discrimination, retaliation, and breach of contract claims in federal court
  • Regularly represents employers in federal courts, state courts, and arbitration in defending claims of employment discrimination, wrongful discharge, harassment, breach of contract, and a wide variety of other employment claims
  • Regularly defends employers in complex, multi-plaintiff wage-and-hour litigation under the FLSA and state laws
  • Litigates unfair competition and trade secrets misappropriation matters for companies as plaintiffs and defendants
Administrative Claims
  • Successfully resolved and obtained dismissal of numerous charges of discrimination filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and other state agencies
Investigations
  • Conducted numerous investigations in response to employee complaints received by clients, including sensitive claims of discrimination, harassment, and other workplace misconduct
  • Represented large employer in DOL wage-and-hour investigation into exemption status of a class of employees and obtained favorable result
Counseling & Compliance
  • Works with employers to draft employee handbooks
  • Advises employers on drafting employer policies and procedures
  • Advises clients on employment-related issues, including the hiring, retention, firing and wages of employees
  • Advises clients on compliance with administrative regulations and agencies, including OSHA, TWC, and NLRB
Arbitration
  • Successfully compelled employment-related lawsuits to arbitration in federal and state courts
EDUCATION
  • The University of Texas School of Law, J.D. with pro bono honors
  • Università Commerciale Luigi Bocconi, Milan, Italy
    • Intensive study in International Law and Business Formation
  • The University of Houston, B.A. magna cum laude with University Honors in Political Science, Honors Minor in Phronesis
BACKGROUND
  • Named to “The Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch” list, 2024
  • Policy Analyst for Texas State Representative Gene Wu
  • Judicial Intern to the Honorable Lee Yeakel, U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas
ADMISSIONS
  • State of Texas

  • U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas

  • U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas

  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas

MEMBERSHIPS & ACTIVITIES
  • Houston Bar Association
  • Speaker on labor and employment topics
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