Overview

Kelli Fuqua is an active litigator in federal and state court, where she defends a wide array of clients – including clients in the technology, medical, higher education, and hospitality industries – in a variety of employment law matters. Kelli specifically focuses on whistleblowing, retaliation, wage and hour, unfair competition, and discrimination matters, including pre-litigation resolution.

In addition to practicing in Texas federal and state courts, Kelli is admitted to practice in the District of New Mexico, which proves particularly helpful to Texas clients facing related wage and hour (or other types of) litigation across the western border. She also consistently handles matters in front of the various arbitration bodies.

Outside of her litigation practice, Kelli routinely advises clients regarding these issues in order to avoid the time and costs associated with litigation, and has experience reviewing policies, handbooks, and noncompetition agreements, providing managerial training, and conducting internal investigations. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Kelli actively navigated the intersection of the Americans with Disabilities Act and COVID-19 for clients. Kelli also frequently presents and writes on a variety of employment law issues.

In addition to the above, Kelli actively contributes her time pro bono to a community volunteer legal service clinic, and she recently assisted in drafting an amicus brief for a case remanded to the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals from the United States Supreme Court.

Prior to joining Littler, Kelli served as an assistant attorney general in the General Litigation Division of the Office of Attorney General, where she defended the state of Texas, its officials, and employees in constitutional and employment litigation matters in state and federal court. Thus, she has proficiency in matters involving government-specific issues, such as immunity.

Professional & Community Affiliations

Associate Member

Barbara Jordan American Inn of Court

Member

Austin Bar Association

Member

Austin Young Lawyers Association

Member

Travis County Women Lawyers Association

Fellow

American Bar Foundation

Member

Texas Exes

Recognition

Named, Ones to Watch

The Best Lawyers in America®

2022-2025

News, Analysis & Press

False Claims Act Retaliation in 2021

Littler Report

July 26, 2021

Speaking Engagements

Title IX Training

University of Texas System Title IX Annual Training, Austin, TX

August 2-3, 2023

A Leave and Benefits Medley: Dobbs, COVID, and Related Questions

Austin Bar Association, Labor & Employment Law Section CLE Presentation, Austin, TX

October 5, 2022

An Employment Law Primer on COVID-19 Vaccines and Returning to the Office

Volunteer Legal Services of Central Texas

July 22, 2021

Employment Law Overview

Texas Hill Country Wineries

April 2021

Keeping Employees Safe at Work — ADA Considerations in the Age of COVID

State Bar of Texas Podcast, Legal Talk Network

October 15, 2020

Wage & Hour Update

Austin Bar Association, Labor & Employment Section

October 7, 2020

Wage and Hour Considerations in the COVID-19 World

CenTex Chapter of American Payroll Association

June 16, 2020

The ADA and COVID-19: What Employers Need to Know as Businesses Reopen

June 11, 2020

Understanding the Legal Ins-and-Outs of Reducing Your Workforce

American Association of Political Consultants

June 3, 2020

Employee Pay and Classification Issues

CenTex Chapter of American Payroll Association

February 2020

Employment Law Basics

V.G. Young School for Tax Assessor-Collectors

2018

Basic Employment Law for Managers

V.G. Young School for County Commissioners Courts

2018

Education

  • J.D., University of Texas School of Law, 2015
  • B.J., University of Texas, Austin, 2012with honors

Bar Admission

Texas
New Mexico

Courts

  • U.S. Supreme Court
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, 5th Circuit
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Texas
  • U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas
  • U.S. District Court, Western District of Texas
  • U.S. District Court, District of New Mexico