Biography

Dennis Clifford practices Labor and Employment law in Seyfarth Shaw’s Houston office. He devotes the majority of his practice to litigating individual and collective/class actions the under the federal and state laws that require employers to pay overtime and minimum wages to their employees. In addition to wage and hour litigation, Mr. Clifford provides compliance and exposure counseling to employers on complex wage and hour issues arising under federal and state law.

Mr. Clifford has substantial experience litigating wage and hour disputes in several industries, including financial services, human resources outsourcing, telecommunications, information technology, construction, janitorial services, food establishment, and retail sales. He has litigated a number of cases involving exemption status, independent contractor status, joint employer contentions, individual liability, “off-the-clock” issues, alleged improper pay deductions, and disputes concerning the appropriate regular rate for purposes of calculating overtime rates for non-exempt employees. 

Mr. Clifford also has significant experience litigating employment discrimination and retaliation cases. He has successfully defended employers against claims under Title II, Title VII, Section 1981, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Family Medical Leave Act, the Texas Workers’ Compensation Act, and the Texas Commission on Human Rights Act.

Since 2005, Mr. Clifford has served as an assistant coach for the mock trial program at the University of Houston Law Center, where he has coached several teams to regional and national victories. As a law student, he won a prestigious mock trial competition, placed second in two others, and received several speaking awards and recognitions.

Education

J.D., University of Houston Law Center

Order of the Barristers
Byron McCoy Excellency in Advocacy Award
Advocate of the Year

B.A., University of Houston - Clear Lake

Admissions

• Texas

Courts

• U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
• U.S. District Court for the Northern, Eastern, and Southern Districts of Texas