Attorney Profiles

Michael V. Galo Jr. dedicates his practice to advising and representing employers in matters relating to federal and state employment and labor laws.  Mr. Galo has an interest in issues relating to the Americans With Disabilities Act, the Texas Workmen's Compensation Act, and the Family and Medical Leave Act.  He also has experience representing management in matters relating to the National Labor Relations Act, including union-organizing campaigns, collective bargaining and union arbitrations.

Mr. Galo has significant jury trial experience, having tried a number of employment discrimination and retaliation cases to verdict in state and federal court.  Mr. Galo also maintains an active appellate practice, having served as lead counsel in 13 employment cases before the U.S. Court of Appeals.  Nine of these cases have proceeded to oral argument.

Representative cases: Kanida v. Nursefinder, 363 F.3d 568 (5th Cir. 2004)(affirming jury verdict for employer and holding that district court did not commit reversible error in instructing the jury); Pineda v. United Parcel Service, Inc., 360 F.3d 483 (5th Cir. 2000)(holding that heightened "pretext plus" standard applies to cases under the Texas Commission on Human Rights Act); Qualls v. Lack's Stores, Inc. 1999 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 5731 (N.D. Tex. 1999)(early ADA case holding that employee with Hepatitis C was not substantially limited in any major life activity), aff'd, 210 F.3d 369 (5th Cir. 2000); Rodriguez v. Roadway Express, Inc., 1997 WL 839014 (S.D. Tex. Dec. 2, 1997)(summary judgment for the employer in early ADA "reasonable accommodation" case and holding that the employee broke off "interactive process"), aff'd, 199 F.3d 437 (5th Cir. 1999); and Rook v. Xerox Corp., 55 Fed. Appx. 716 (5th Cir. 2002)(affirming summary judgment for employer in ACA/FMLA case and finding no evidence that employee had been terminated, and also that the district court did not err in abbreviating discovery); Chavarria v. Despachos Del Norte, Inc., 2005 WL 1515472 (S.D. Tex, Jun. 22, 2005)(dismissing plaintiffs' age discrimination claims resulting from reduction in force).

Mr. Galo also is a regular speaker at human resources and continuing legal education seminars.

Mr. Galo is a native Laredo, Texas, shere much of his family still resides.  He speaks Spanish and maintains and active practice in Webb County and across the Texas/Mexico border.  Mr. Galo is married to Blanca Pellegrin Galo, and they have one son.