Barbara J. Gardner

Ms. Gardner graduated first in her class from South Texas College of Law in 1981, and she has built a career as a leading employment law attorney. Ms. Gardner was a partner of Mandell & Wright in the 1980's and 1990's before moving to Kansas City where she was a member of the Popham Law Firm, a nationally known employment law firm. Ms. Gardner also taught trial advocacy to third-year law students at the University of Houston Law School 1991- 1994 before moving to Kansas City. Ms. Gardner rejoined Mandell & Wright in January 2004, and in July 2004 she was one of the founding principals of TUCKER, VAUGHAN, GARDNER & BARNES, P.C. AREAS OF EXPERTISE: Ms. Gardner is primarily a trial lawyer, having tried numerous cases to juries as well as judges in state and federal courts with outstanding success. When it comes to attention to detail, work ethic and a passion for diligently representing clients, Ms. Gardner has no equal. She represents both employees and employers in employment matters, and she also represents injured victims in personal injury claims. Ms. Gardner's work in employment disputes includes all types of discrimination, sexual harassment, fraud and misrepresentation, breach of contract, covenants not to compete, federal and state statutory claims, and other similar employment claims. She also represents corporations in commercial disputes. Ms. Gardner's unique experience of litigating cases from both sides of the courtroom gives her a broad perspective of problems and solutions. Further, Ms. Gardner negotiates and drafts employment contracts, severance agreements, and incentive compensation arrangements for executives. Ms. Gardner is also an accomplished appellate lawyer and mediator. Additionally, Ms. Gardner provides consulting on employment issues for individuals and companies, in-house training, and speaking engagements for professional organizations. She is a frequent speaker for the Texas Bar Association's continuing legal education program. Awards and Honors Super Lawyers® Selectees Barbara J. Gardner included in a Super Lawyers® list Honors Fellow, Texas Bar Foundation Other Sources of Feedback About Barbara J. Gardner Included on the 2025Texas Super Lawyers list Past Lists 2024 Texas Super Lawyers list 2023 Texas Super Lawyers list 2022 Texas Super Lawyers list 2021 Texas Super Lawyers list 2020 Texas Super Lawyers list 2019 Texas Super Lawyers list 2018 Texas Super Lawyers list 2017 Texas Super Lawyers list 2016 Texas Super Lawyers list 2015 Texas Super Lawyers list 2014 Texas Super Lawyers list 2013 Texas Super Lawyers list 2012 Texas Super Lawyers list 2011 Texas Super Lawyers list 2010 Texas Super Lawyers list 2009 Texas Super Lawyers list 2008 Texas Super Lawyers list 2007 Texas Super Lawyers list

• Shareholder

• Hon. Carl O. Bue, Jr., United States District Court, Judicial Law Clerk, August 1, 1981 - June 30, 1983
• Bracewell & Patterson, Houston, Texas, Associate, September 1, 1983 - May 30, 1985
• Mandell & Wright, Houston, Texas, Partner, August 1, 1985 - August 30, 1993
• The Popham Law Firm, Kansas City, Missouri, Of Counsel, October 1, 1994 - July 30, 1999
• The Gardner Law Firm, Houston, Texas, Owner, October 1, 1999 - December 30, 2003
• Mandell & Wright, Houston, Texas, Of Counsel, January 5, 2004 - July 9, 2004

• Frequent Speaker, Texas Bar Association's Continuing Legal Education Program
• Race, Sex, and Religious Discrimination, Employment & Labor Law, University of Houston Law Foundation, April 28, 2006
• Five Keys to Employment Contracts, South Texas College of Law Annual Employment Law Seminar, 2005
• Race, Sex & Religious Discrimination: Developments in the Law, University of Houston Law Foundation, 2005
• The Biggest Mistakes made by Texas Employers from the Plaintiff's Perspective, 4th Annual Employment Law Symposium, Houston Chapter of the Texas Association of Business, November 18, 2004
• Practical Aspects of the Whistle-blower's Action under Sarbanes Oxley, Houston Chapter of the Institute of Internal Auditors, November 8, 2004
• Truth or Consequences: How to Handle Discrimination Claims, Willowbrook Rotary Club, September 17, 2004
• Avoiding Problems in the Workplace, Midtown Business Network, June 17, 2004
• Independent Contractor or Employee?, National Association of Remodelers, May 27, 2004
• Whistle-blower's Action under Sarbanes Oxley, Association for Women in Computing, May 19, 2004
• Race & Sex Discrimination: Developments in the Law, University of Houston Law Foundation, 2004
• You've Come a Long Way, Baby -- History of Laws on Sex Discrimination, American Business Women's Association, League City Chapter, April 13, 2004
• When Mediation Fails - A Lawyer's Perspective, Texas Community College Association Annual Convention, February 21, 2004
• What is Discrimination Really?, American Business Women's Association, Houston Chapter, February 19, 2004
• Hiring and Firing the Right Way, Willowbrook Rotary Club, February 5, 2004
• Employment Law Made Easy, National Association of Remodelers, January 29, 2004
• What Professional Women Need to Know About Employment Law, Women's Chamber of Commerce of Texas, 2003
• Race & Sex Discrimination: Developments in the Law, University of Houston Law Foundation, 2003
• Arbitration: The Trend Away From the Courthouse, Council on Education in Management, 2003
• Arbitration: Why Do We Need a Court System?, University of Houston Law Foundation, 2002
• Screening Employment Cases, Fort Bend Bar Association Meeting, 1999
• Analysis of Dismissal Order in Jones v. United States & William Clinton, Practice & Procedure Committee Meeting, Missouri Bar Ass'n, 1998
• ADA Mixed-Motive Analysis: Plaintiff's Perspective, Council on Education in Management, October 27, 1997
• Sexual Harassment Cases: Interviewing the Judiciary, Kansas City Association of Women Attorneys Annual Seminar, March 4, 1997
• Wrongful Discharge: Employment Agreements and Covenants, University of Houston Law Foundation, July 24, 1994
• Wrongful Discharge: Employment Agreements and Covenants, University of Houston Law Foundation, August 4, 1994
• Settlement Strategies & Techniques, Advanced Employment Law Course, State Bar of Texas, December 3, 1993
• Love American Style or Sexual Harassment?, Labor & Employment Law Seminar, South Texas College of Law, 1993
• Warranties Under the DTPA, Consumer & Insurance Law Institute, University of Houston Law Foundation, 1993
• Sexual Harassment, Houston Trial Lawyers' Association, 1993
• Sexual Harassment - The Plaintiff's Perspective, Houston Bar Association, 1992
• Settlement Strategies & Techniques, Advanced Employment Law Course, State Bar of Texas, 1992

• Texas, 1981
• U.S. District Court Southern District of Texas
• U.S. District Court Eastern District of Texas
• U.S. Court of Appeals 5th Circuit

• Texas State Bar Association (Member)
• Houston Bar Association (Member)
• National Employment Lawyers Association (Member)
• Texas Employment Lawyers Association (Member)
• American Trial Lawyers Association (Member)
• Houston Association of Women Attorneys (Member)
• Society for Human Resource Management (Member)
• Women's Chamber of Commerce (Member)
• College of the State Bar of Texas (Member)
• Fraternities and Sororities
• Phi Beta Kappa