Darren Gibson
Shareholder | Co-Chair, Higher Education Industry Group
Selected Matters
- First chair federal jury trial victory on behalf of higher education institution defending against discrimination and retaliation claims related to termination of police officer
- Obtained arbitration award in favor of hospital and individual defendant in case brought by pharmacist under Texas healthcare whistleblower law
- Secured dismissal of individual defendant and award of sanctions against plaintiff’s counsel in defamation suit pursuant to the Texas anti-SLAPP statute
- Successfully defended large online retailer in wage and hour collective action brought by delivery drivers of delivery contractor, including resolution of claims in contractor’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy
- Obtained dismissal at the pleading stage of disability discrimination and section 1983 claims by dental student against dental school and dean, with the Fifth Circuit affirming on appeal
Professional & Community Affiliations
Member
Labor and Employment Section
Texas State Bar
Member
Labor and Employment Law Section
Austin Bar Association
Member
National Association of College and University Attorneys
Board Member
Austin Symphony Orchestra
Member
Leadership Austin, Essential Class of 2018
News, Analysis & Press
Upcoming Changes to NIH Harassment and Hostile Work Environment Reporting Requirements
ASAP
July 6, 2022
Littler Earns 13th Consecutive 100 Percent in 2021 Human Rights Campaign Foundation's Annual Scorecard on LGBTQ Workplace Equality
January 28, 2021
Final Title IX Regulations Adopt Sweeping Changes for Handling Sexual Harassment Claims at Institutions of Higher Education
Insight
May 8, 2020
Littler Names New Leadership to Its Affinity Groups and Diversity & Inclusion Council
February 14, 2019
Supreme Court Limits Dodd-Frank Retaliation Protections to Employees who Blow the Whistle to the SEC
ASAP
February 23, 2018
Littler Adds Shareholder Darren Gibson to Austin Office
January 11, 2017
Speaking Engagements
Protecting the Attorney-Client Privilege for In-House Counsel
Association of Corporate Counsel National Conference, Nashville, TN
October 7, 2024
A New Era of Employment Risk: Student Athletes as Employees and Adverse Actions Under Muldrow
The University of Texas System Legal Conference
September 27, 2024
The Expanded Scope of Actionable Adverse Employment Actions Under Title VII
Austin Bar Association, Labor and Employment Law Section, Austin, TX
September 10, 2024
Conducting Lawful Investigations in the New Workplace
Littler Executive Employer Conference, Phoenix, AZ
May 8, 2024
Littler Austin’s 2023 Holiday Season Lunch and Learn
Austin, TX
December 15, 2023
Multistate Remote Work: Managing Risk in the New Reality
University of Texas System 2023 Legal Conference Agenda, Austin, TX
September 21, 2023
Conducting Lawful Investigations in the Evolving Workplace
Littler Executive Employer Conference, Phoenix, AZ
May 10, 2023
Unintended Consequences: Managing Legal Risks Related to Faculty DE&I Programs
NACUA Employment CLE Conference, San Diego, CA
March 24, 2023
Littler Austin’s 2022 Holiday Season Lunch and Learn
Austin, TX
December 9, 2022
Conducting Lawful Investigations in the Evolving Workplace
Littler Executive Employer Conference
May 4, 2022
Out of State Employment: The Wandering Employee
The University of Texas System Risk Management Conference
April 11, 2022
Best Practices for Compliance with Vaccine Mandates
Greater Houston Industry Liaison Group, Houston, TX
January 13, 2022
When Employees are Bad Actors: Risks and New Solutions
The University of Texas System Legal Conference
November 6, 2021
Resilience & Renewal in the Workplace: A Roadmap for Your Tomorrow
The 2021 Executive Employer Conference
May 12, 2021
Conducting Remote Investigations in the COVID-19 Era
October 27, 2020
The Revolving Door of Returning to Work in Texas
Texas Virtual Employer
August 13, 2020
Reopening Texas - Key COVID-19 Considerations and Strategies for Employers
May 13, 2020
Employment Law Hot Topics for a New Decade
Austin, TX
February 6, 2020
Employment Law Update
NACUA National Conference, Denver, CO
June 25, 2019
A New Era in Title IX Compliance: Process, Fairness and New Regulations Take Center Stage
NACUA Employment Law CLE Conference, Seattle, WA
April 3, 2019
Texas Anti-SLAPP in Employment Cases: Plaintiffs’ Phantom Menace
Texas Bar Association, Advanced Employment Law CLE, Dallas, TX
January 17, 2019
From Cross Examination to Safe Harbors: A New Day In Title IX Compliance Is At Your Doorstep
Magna Online Seminar
October 30, 2018
Hospitality in the #MeToo Era: Shifting From Risk To Opportunity For A Better Work Environment
Texas Hotel & Lodging Association Annual Board Meeting, Austin, TX
June 4, 2018
Step into the Littler Lab: Conducting Lawful Investigations in the Wake of #MeToo
Littler Executive Employer, Phoenix, AZ
May 4, 2018
Texas anti-SLAPP in Employment Cases: Defendants’ Superpower
Austin Bar Association, Employment Law Section, Austin, TX
March 18, 2018
A New Era in Title IX Enforcement: Understanding the Latest Changes
Magna Online Seminar
February 15, 2018
Texas anti-SLAPP in Employment Cases: Defendants’ Superpower
Texas Bar Association, Advanced Employment Law CLE, Dallas, TX
January 18, 2018
Employment Law Update: Recent Developments and What’s Coming Next
Austin, TX
November 9, 2017
Title IX Case Update
University of Texas System Title IX Conference, Austin, TX
November 2, 2017
Conducting Efficient, Effective, and Lawful Workplace Investigations
South Texas SHRM Conference, Victoria, TX
November 1, 2017
Underneath the Microscope: Sex Discrimination and Gender on Campus
TASA/TASB State Convention, Dallas, TX
October 6, 2017
You’re Not Doing Anyone Any Favors: Bias, Credibility and Other Investigation Challenges and Pitfalls
University of Texas System, Office of General Counsel Legal Conference, Austin, TX
September 29, 2017
Conducting Efficient, Effective, and Lawful Workplace Investigations
Hill Country HR Management Association, New Braunfels, TX
August 10, 2017
Conducting Efficient, Effective, and Lawful Workplace Investigations
The 2017 Executive Employer® Conference, Phoenix, AZ
May 12, 2017
Creative Approaches to Handling ADA and FMLA Issues in the Workplace: Actions You May Not Know You Can Take
Austin, TX
April 25, 2017
You’re Not Doing Anyone Any Favors: Bias, Credibility and Other Investigation Challenges and Pitfalls
NACUA Employment Law CLE Conference, Seattle, WA
March 30, 2017
LGBT Protections Under Title IX
University of Texas, Office of General Counsel Legal Conference, Austin, TX
September 14, 2015
Education
- J.D., Harvard Law School, 2000cum laude
- B.S., University of Kentucky, 1997summa cum laude
Courts
- U.S. Court of Appeals, 5th Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals, 9th Circuit
- U.S. District Court, Western District of Texas
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Texas
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York