Laura E. O’Donnell

Laura E. O’Donnell is a partner at Haynes Boone and co-chair of the firm’s Litigation Practice Group, practicing from its San Antonio and Austin offices. She also leads the firm’s Wage and Hour Litigation group and is board certified in labor and employment law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. O’Donnell represents employers in employment litigation and advises clients on executive investigations, employment agreements, compliance projects, and employment issues arising in mergers and acquisitions.

O’Donnell earned her J.D. from Baylor University School of Law in 1996, where she received a Presidential Scholarship and served as a member of the Baylor Law Review. She earned her B.A. from Trinity University in 1993. Her legal education provides a foundation for analyzing complex workplace disputes, preparing litigation strategies, interpreting employment regulations, and advising employers on the legal risks associated with workforce management, executive relationships, and business transactions.

O’Donnell has extensive experience defending employers in FLSA collective actions and claims involving trade secrets, restrictive covenants, whistleblower retaliation, discrimination, harassment, disability accommodation, and employee leave. Her representative work includes obtaining defense verdicts, summary judgments, arbitration awards, injunctions, and favorable appellate rulings. She has handled employment appeals before Texas Courts of Appeal, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, and matters reaching the United States Supreme Court.

Laura E. O’Donnell has been recognized by Chambers USA for labor and employment in Texas since 2017 and has received multiple Best Lawyers “Lawyer of the Year” honors, including recognition in 2026. She has also been selected for Lawdragon employment and litigation listings and has received an AV Preeminent peer-review rating from Martindale-Hubbell. Through her litigation experience, professional leadership, and practical employment counseling, O’Donnell helps employers manage workplace disputes, regulatory obligations, and complex business risks.

Law Office Affiliations

• Partner, Haynes and Boone, LLP
• Member, San Antonio Human Resource Management Association
• Member, American Bar Association
• Member, Texas Bar Foundation
• Member, San Antonio Bar Foundation
• Member, San Antonio Bar Association
• Member, Bexar County Women’s Bar Association

Licensed State

• Texas

Education

• Baylor University School of Law
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• Trinity University
  Bachelor of Arts (BA)