Jerry L. Stovall, Jr.

Partner - Baton Rouge

T: (225) 381-8042
F: (225) 381-8029
jls@bswllp.com

Mr. Stovall is an Employment Law Specialist, certified by the Louisiana Board of Legal Specialization. He concentrates his practice in the areas of labor & employment law, corporate formation, business, corporate and fiduciary litigation. Mr. Stovall represents private employers and public entities. Mr. Stovall is a frequent speaker, author and trainer, primarily in the areas of labor & employment law.

Practice Areas

Labor & Employment
Construction
Corporate Formation and Management
Occupational Safety & Health Administration
Non-Competition
Harassment, Discrimination, & Retaliation

Education

Baylor University School of Law, 1989

Baylor University, 1986

Admissions

Texas (1989)

Louisiana (1994)

All State and Federal Courts in Louisiana and Texas

U.S. Supreme Court

Employment Law Specialist, certified by the Louisiana Board of Legal Specialization

Experience

Associate, Liddell Sapp Zivley Hill & LaBoon, Houston, TX, 1989-1990

Associate, West, Webb, Allbritton & Gentry, College Station, TX, 1990-1995

Associate, Breazeale, Sachse & Wilson, L.L.P. 1990-1997

Partner, Breazeale, Sachse & Wilson, L.L.P. 1997-Present

Professional Associations

Baton Rouge Bar Association

Louisiana State Bar Association

Louisiana State Bar Employment Law Advisory Committee

Texas State Bar Association

American Bar Association

Board of Directors of the Greater Baton Rouge Society of Human Resource Management

Employment Counsel to the Louisiana House of Representatives

Counsel to the Pelican Chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors

Member of the Louisiana Association of General Contractors Safety Council

Counsel to the Louisiana and Community Technical College System

Represents numerous private employers in the construction, service, chemical, health care and sales industries.

Honors and Awards

Ranked in Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business for Louisiana in the area of Labor & Employment in 2013, 2014, and 2015.

Selected by his peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America^®, Since 2013

AV^® Preeminent^TM Peer Review Rated.

Publications

“Bipartisan Group of Senators Pose Another Challenge to Use of Noncompete Agreements” 02/03/2023
“Your OSHA Form 300-A's Must Be Posted By February 1, Probably” January 2023
“Employers Should Start Using New EEOC Poster Now” 12/06/2022
“U.S. Congress Passes Law That Will Void Non-Disclosure Agreements Related to Sex Harassment Claims” 11/22/22
“The OFCCP May Be Planning to Release Your 2016-2020 EEO-1 Reports. What Can You Do?” 08/24/2022
“Federal Appeals Court Affirms NLRB Decision Reinstating Employee Who Defaced Company Overtime Sign-Up Sheet” 08/16/2022
“Employer Ordered to Pay Employee Five Million Dollars Because” July 2022
“EEOC Issues COVID-19 Update!” July 2022
“You Need to Know This If You Have Commissioned Salespeople in Texas” 06/13/2022
“2022 Legislative Update” June 2021
“Do You Hear That Sound? It's The Paid Leave Train, And It's Heading Straight for You” 4/19/2022
“Can My Boss Really Fire Me for Talking About His Compensation?” 04/12/2022
“Department of Labor Issued Field Assistance Bulletin Showing Emphasis on Retaliation” 04/11/2022
“President Biden Signs Law Limiting Arbitration Agreements for Sexual Harassment” 03/07/22
“The CDC Has Relaxed It's Face Covering Recommendations, And This Should Matter to You” 3/03/2022
“Congress Passes Ban on Arbitration Clauses for Sex Harassment and Sex Assault Claims – Bill Goes to Biden for Signature” February 2022
“Recent Federal Court Ruling on ADA Claim Emphasizes Importance of Engaging In and Documenting the Interactive Process” 2/09/2022
“The Department of Labor Is Coming After Us All” 02/07/2022
“If the DOL Doesn't Get You, the NLRB Will” 02/02/2022
“If I Have Said It Once...” 12/13/2021
“Recent Fifth Circuit Ruling Offers Great Tips for Avoiding OSHA Citations” 12/02/21
“Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals Issues Stay Of OSHA Covid-19 ETS” 11/08/2021
“OSHA Issues New Emergency Temporary Standard For COVID-19” November 2021
“EEOC's 10/25/2021 Updated Technical Assistance Regarding COVID-19 Vaccination Religious Exemption Requests Really Doesn't Change Much” October 2021
“Get Ready for OSHA's New Emergency Temporary Standard Mandating COVID Vaccinations” October 2021
“Back to the Basics” October 2021
“Safer Federal Workforce Task Force Issues Covid-19 Guidance” September 2021
“Democrats Propose Bill to Increase Maximum Penalty for OSHA "Willful" Violations to $700,000 as Part of $3.5 Trillion Budget Reconciliation Package” September 2021
“OSHA is Tripling Down on Heat-Related Hazards” September 2021
“President Biden Outlines New Vaccination Plan” September 2021
“The ARPA COBRA Notice Deadline is Just Around the Corner” September 2021
“You Absolutely Can Require Your Employees to be Vaccinated; Unless…” August 2021
“Texas Increases Protections for Employees Filing Sexual Harassment Claims” August 2021
“HHS and DOJ Issue Guidance on How Disability Laws Apply to "Long COVID": Get Ready for More Demands for Reasonable Accommodations” August 2021
“Don't Miss the August 1 Notice Deadline For Louisiana's Revised Pregnancy Discrimination Law” July 2021
“If You Have Employees in Texas, Your Risk of a Sex Harassment Claim Just Increased” July 2021
“U.S. DOL Issues NPR Implementing New $15 an Hour Federal Contractor Minimum Wage” July 2021
“EEOC Issues Guidance Addressing Discrimination Against Transgender Employees” July 2021
“President Biden Has Not Banned Non-compete Agreements, But It Looks like He Wants To” July 2021
“Relevant Bills of the 2021 Regular Legislative Session” July 2021
“EEOC Issues Guidance on Employment Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity” July 2021
“OSHA Issues COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standards and Guidance on Mitigating and Preventing COVID-19” June 2021
“The CDC Opens Things Up!” May 2021
“If You Are a Fan of Paid Leave, This Is the Year for You” May 2021
“Three for One Friday!” April 2021
“My Employees Have Been Jabbed Twice, Now What?” April 2021
“Get Ready to Submit Your EEO-1 Component 1 Data to the EEOC” April 2021
“The New $1.9 Trillion Stimulus Bill Impacts Extends the FFCRA Through September 2021” March 2021
“The CDC Says that Fully Vaccinated Workers Do Not Need to Wear Masks - Sort Of” March 2021
“Keep an Eye on These Bills If You Use or Are Considering Using a Mandatory Arbitration Provision” March 2021
“U.S. Dept. of Labor Expands Unemployment Insurance Eligibility” March 2021
“Please, Please, Please Use Common Sense When Responding to an Employee's Request for a Reasonable Accommodation” March 2021
“Be Very Careful If You Discuss Wages and High-Level Hiring With Competitors, or You Might End Up in Jail” February 2021
“Check Your Call-In Policies” February 2021
“A Few Things to Consider if You Are Thinking of Requiring Your Employees to Get the COVID-19 Vaccine” February 2021
“A Short Summary of How President Biden's American Rescue Plan Could Impact Employers” February 2021
“Ninth Circuit Issues a Per Diem Ruling That is Worth Noting” February 2021
“A Quick Overview of President Biden's Employment-Related Executive Orders to Date” January 2021
“U.S. Wage and Hour Division Issues Two New Opinion Letters” December 2020
“2020 Second Extraordinary Session: The Final Tally” November 2020
“Does State or Federal Law Require Me to Allow Employees Time Off of Work to Vote?” October 2020
“Flu Season Is Approaching, Should You Require Employees to Get A Flu Shot?” October 2020
“The CDC Re-Defines "Close Contact"” October 2020
“DOL Announces Revisions to FFCRA That Will Seriously Impact Healthcare Providers” September 2020
“DOL Issues Three New Q&A's Regarding FFCRA School Leave” August 2020
“Be Careful If You Allow Employees to Give Paid Leave to Each Other” August 2020
“New York Court Vacates Four Provisions of the FFCRA Final Rule” 08/06/2020
“DOL Issues New Q&As” July 2020
“Don't Inadvertently Create COBRA Liability” July 2020
“DOL Issues New Optional FMLA Forms” July 2020
“Supreme Court Rules Title VII Prohibits Discrimination Based Upon Sexual Orientation and Transgender Status - Part II” June 2020
“EEOC Updates COVID-19 Technical Assistance Q&A” June 2020
“OSHA Issues First COVID-19 Related Citation to Nursing Home in Georgia” June 2020
“U.S. DOL Issues New FFCRA Q&A's” June 2020
“OSHA Changes Its April Guidance Regarding the Duty to Record Positive COVID-19 Screens” May 2020
“DOL Issues Sixth Set of Families First Coronavirus Response Act FAQs and It's a Mixed Bag for Employers” May 2020
“EEO-1 Reports Now Not Due Until March of 2021” May 2020
“Treasury Department and SBA Answer PPP Loan Forgiveness Question” 05/06/2020
“Making Plans to Bring Your People Back To Work” May 2020
“DOL Updates COBRA Notices” 05/06/2020
“More on the Relaxed I-9 Remote-Work Verification Requirements” May 2020
“Does The FLSA "Emergency" Exception Apply To You?” April 2020
“Is This an "Emergency"?” April 2020
“DOL Issued New FAQ Last Friday” 04/05/2020
“Read This--It Is Important!” April 2020
“Hold on to Your Hat! The IRS Gives Us Some Good News” April 2020
“DOL Issues Second Set Of FAQs; And The News Is Mostly Good For Employers” March 2020
“U.S. Department of Labor Issues COVID-19 Question and Answers” March 2020
“COVID-19: Frequently Asked Questions For You and Your Business” March 2020
“Get Familiar With OSHA'S Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19” March 2020
“How to Compensate Your Employees During a Virus Outbreak” March 2019
“Don't Get Your Legal Advice from the News” January 2020
“Holiday Party Useful Tips to Consider” November 2019
“Are You Ready For The New White Collar Salary Requirements?” October 2019
“NLRB Issues a Common Sense Memo” August 2019
“NLRB Rules in Favor of Employment Arbitration” August 2019
“Department of Labor Issues Opinion Letter That Parental Attendance at Child's IEP Meeting Is Covered by FMLA” August 2019
“NLRB Gives Employers Greater Control Over Their Public Spaces” July 2019
“Bad News, It Looks Like At Least Two of Texas' Paid Sick Leave Ordinances Are About to Go Into Effect” June 2019
“What Should You Do If You Receive an SSA "No-Match" Letter” June 2019
“Supreme Court Holds EEOC Charge-Filing Requirement is Not Jurisdictional” June 2019
“Don't Ignore Pre-Litigation Demands That Mention Arbitration” May 2019
“Employers Should Prepare to Submit Their Component 2 Pay Data By September 30, 2019” May 2019
“Dallas Follows Austin and San Antonio and Implements a Paid Sick Leave Ordinance” March 2019
“Be Careful if You Want to Use Unpaid Interns this Summer” May 2019
“U.S. House of Representatives Urges OSHA to Create a Standard Regarding Workplace Violence in the Healthcare Industry” May 2019
“Apparently I Need to Say This: Do Not Say "Whites Preferred" When Posting a Job Online” May 2019
“April 24 U.S. Supreme Court Ruling on Arbitration Agreements Is a Win for Employers” April 2019
“Am I Disabled If My Boss Really Annoys Me?” April 2019
“Claims against Public Entities under ADA Website Accessibility Standards Are Exploding” February 2019
“The Fair Credit Reporting Act: We're Not Done Yet” February 2019
“It's Time to Create Your E-Verify Cases” January 2019
“OSHA Issues Final Rule Withdrawing Mandate That Large Employers Electronically File Data Contained in Their 300 and 301 Forms” January 2019
“It is Almost Time to Post And File Your 300A Forms” January 2019
“The Fair Credit Reporting Act Is Tricky” December 2018
“If You Have the Authority to Hire and Fire, the DOL Might Play the Grinch This Christmas and Sue You Personally for FLSA Violations” December 2018
“Tis The Season to Accommodate Your Employee's Religious Beliefs” November 2018
“Be Very Careful What You Say to an Employee About FMLA Leave: You May Create a Claim that Otherwise Would Not Have Existed” November 2018
“After A Nine Year Hiatus, The DOL Issues Two New FMLA Opinion Letters” September 2018
“Does Your Last-Chance Agreement Contain A Prospective Waiver? It Probably Shouldn't” July 2018
“Logic Prevails At The NLRB! Some Common Sense HR Policies Are Legal Once Again!” June 2018
“The Perfect Storm: A Convergence of Unpaid Rest Breaks, The FLSA and FMLA” May 2018
“Good News for Employers! U.S. Supreme Court Decides that Class Action Waivers In Arbitration Provisions Are Enforceable” May 2018
“IRS Issues Assistance on New Paid FMLA Tax Credit” April 2018
“The DOL Has Begun to Issue Opinion Letters Again – And You Should Read Them” April 2018
“OSHA Withdraws Fairfax Memo, Employers Are No Longer Required to Allow Non-Employees to Accompany OSHA Investigators” May 2017
“Good News for Federal Contractors - President Trump Blocks Implementation of Obama "Blacklisting"” March 2017
“Texas Court Stops Implementation of Minimum Salary Increase” November 2016
“OSHA Delays Enforcement of Anti-Retaliation Provisions - Again” October 2016
“Reminder - FLSA Salary Increase Deadline is Approaching” September 2016
“The EEOC Issues Guidance on Avoiding Retaliation Claims” September 2016
“LABI Asks Department of Labor to Delay Implementation of Overtime Rules” September 2016
“OSHA Tries to Make Workers Safer by Making Post-Accident Drug Screens and Safety-Incentive Programs More Difficult to Apply” July 2016
“Email Reminder - Don't Do What Debbie Did” July 2016
“The EEOC Takes Sexual Orientation Discrimination Seriously” July 2016
“OFCCP Issues Final Rule Updating Sex Discrimination Guidelines For Federal Contractors” June 2016
“DOL Issues Proposed Rule Requiring Federal Contractors to Provide Paid Sick Leave” February 2016
“FLSA Violations Can Land You in Jail” December 2015
“The EEOC, DOL and OFCCP Announce Deadlines for Final Rules” December 2015
“Healthcare Providers Beware, OSHA Is Targeting Your Workplace Violence Programs, And it Is Going to Cost You...” December 2015
“OSHA Says that Fainting at the Sight of Blood is Recordable” November 2015
“EEOC Issues Another NPR Regarding Employee Wellness Programs” November 2015
“Most Common Hiring Pitfalls” August 2015
“Get Ready the Minimum Required Salary for an Exempt Employee is About to Double” August 2015
“The Department of Labor Narrows The Independent Contractor Exemption Classification” July 2015
“Court Rules That Employer May Be Liable For Actions Of An Anonymous Harasser” July 2015
“EEOC Issues Revised Enforcement Guidance on Pregnancy Discrimination and Related Issues” July 2015
“DOL Issues Rule Increasing White Collar Minimum Salary Requirement” June 2015
“Be on the Lookout for Department of Labor’s “Administrator’s Interpretation” Clarifying Independent Contractor Status” June 2015
“OFCCP Posts Sample Affirmative Action Plans for Veterans and Persons with Disabilities” June 2015
“Why You Should Not Agree to Continue Health Insurance As Part of a Separation Agreement” June 2015
“OSHA Issues a Transgender Bathroom Usage Guidance” June 2015
“US Department of Labor Releases New FMLA Forms” June 2015
“EEOC Initiates Paperless Online Charge System” May 2015
“EEOC Finally Issues Notice of Proposed Rulemaking Regarding Application of ADA to Employer Wellness Plans” April 2015
“May an Employer Require a Medical Examination When an Employee Transfers from One Position to Another” March 2015
“United States Department of Labor Announces Final Rule Regarding Definition of “Spouse” Under the FMLA” February 2015
“OSHA Regulations Expanded to Require Automobile Dealers to Maintain OSHA 300 Logs” January 2015
“A Couple Action Items for HR in 2015” January 2015
“IRS Mileage Reimbursement Rate Increases for 2015” January 2015
“U.S. Department of Justice Takes Position that Title VII Prohibits Gender Identity Discrimination” January 2015
“At Least 21 States Raise Their Minimum Wage in 2014” January 2015
“It’s Official, The EEOC Doesn’t Want Your Employees To Be Healthy” August 2014
“NLRB Encourages Employees to Also File Complaints with OSHA and Department of Labor” August 2014
“Department of Labor Issues a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to Revise Definition of “Spouse” Under the FMLA” June 2014
“Bullying In The Workplace-Address It Now Or Pay Later” April 2014
“Fifth Circuit Holds that Confidentiality Agreement Prohibiting Disclosure of “Financial” and “Personnel Information” Violates NLRA” April 2014
“Supreme Court Clarifies Employer Obligations to Pay for Time Spent Donning and Doffing Clothes” February 2014
“New OSHA Regulations Tracking Workplace Injuries” January 2014
“Exercise Caution When Granting Year-End Bonuses” December 2013
“When Is a Full House Worse Than Two of a Kind? When the NLRB Is Involved” August 2013
“Contrary to Public Opinion, You Can Still Conduct Criminal Background Checks-With Caution” June 2013
“Department of Labor Issues New Regulations Regarding FMLA Military Leave” March 2013
“What to Do When Employees Don't Show Up...” August 2012
“EEOC Holds That Transgender Workers Are Protected by Title VII” 5/1/2012
“Final ADAAA Regulations” 6/2/2011
“2008 Legislature Expands Louisiana Non-Compete Statute” August 2008
Contributing author to the Texas Young Lawyers Association's publication, Texas Lawyers Professional Ethics, 3rd Edition