Monica A. Fitzgerald

Monica is a partner in the Vorys Houston office and member of the labor and employment group.  Monica provides guidance and serves as trial counsel to employers in labor and employment matters including termination, discrimination, discipline, retaliation, medical leave, disability, harassment, wrongful discharge, unsafe workplace, non-competition covenants, reductions in force, and wage and hour issues.  She also has significant experience in internal corporate investigations.  Monica also has considerable experience in general commercial litigation, including breach of contract, non-compete, indemnity and construction litigation.  Additionally, Monica has significant experience advising oil and gas companies on labor and employment matters, including litigation before both state and federal courts.

Recognized by Chambers as a Leading Lawyer in employment law, Monica has more than 25 years of experience as a labor and employment litigator and has had lead responsibility for many cases that were defeated by summary judgment, trial and appeal.  Recently, Monica served as trial counsel representing a BP corporate entity and the BP Retirement Accumulation Plan (collectively “BP”) in an ERISA class action lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas.  Vorys defended BP against the $100 million+ putative class action alleging underpaid retirement benefits dating back to the 1989 amendments made to the Standard Oil of Ohio pension plan.

Monica has also authored articles and lectured on numerous topics including minimizing sexual harassment liability and employment torts which include defamation, intentional infliction of emotional distress, invasion of privacy, fraud, negligent supervision, negligent referral and negligent hiring.

Monica received her J.D. from the University of Houston Law Center.  She received her B.A. cum laude from the University of Houston.

Honors & Recognitions

The Best Lawyers in America, Employment Law – Management, 2017-2025

Chambers and Partners, Leading Lawyer in Labor & Employment, 2014

Houston Bar Association, President’s Award, 2000

Professional & Community Activities

Freedom House, Board of Trustees, 2018 to present

International Alliance of Law Firms, President, 2009-2011

University of Houston Law Center, Alumni Board of Directors, Member

Houston Bar Association President’s Award, 2000

American Bar Association, Member

State Bar of Texas, Member