Gary Wheeler

WORK HISTORY

EDUCATION

SKILLS

ABOUT GARY WHEELER

I help employers make defensible employment decisions—and defend those decisions when challenged.For more than 20 years, I have represented management in employment litigation and administrative proceedings involving discrimination, retaliation, harassment, wage-and-hour claims, and leave-related disputes. I also counsel employers on high-risk decisions before they become lawsuits, with a focus on clarity, documentation, and practical risk management.My work often centers on:* Involuntary terminations and how to document them simply and truthfully* Leave and accommodation issues (FMLA, ADA, PWFA), where good intentions still require disciplined compliance* Severance agreements as a cost-effective tool to mitigate risk* Early, strategic advocacy at the EEOC and state-agency level, where disputes can often be shaped—or resolved—before litigation* I believe employment decisions are most defensible when they are grounded in legitimate business reasons and explained without unnecessary complexity. Over-lawyering often creates risk; clear reasoning reduces it.* I also use technology and AI thoughtfully to deliver efficient, high-quality representation, making sophisticated employment counsel more accessible to employers of all sizes.Focus AreasEmployment litigation defense | Wage & hour (FLSA)| FMLA & ADA | EEOC/FCHR charges | Severance agreements | Workplace investigations | Management training