Austin M. Gassen

As a member of the firm’s Labor, Employment & Employee Benefits group, Austin methodically approaches his clients’ problems to help them navigate the thorniest employment disputes.

Austin works on a range of employer-side employment litigation and investigations matters. He has helped employers investigate, respond to, and defend against allegations of discrimination, retaliation, whistleblowing, and Fair Labor Standards Act and Family Medical Leave Act violations. He has also worked to address confidentiality and noncompete issues in the workplace. Austin has drafted briefs at all stages of litigation, handled various aspects of discovery, and prepared witnesses for deposition and trial testimony. Austin further consults with firm clients working through complex labor issues in unionized and non-unionized work environments. Some of his notable achievements include obtaining summary judgment in favor of client on ADA disability discrimination claims, successfully defending a client against a multimillion-dollar breach of contract claim in arbitration, assisting in opposing a temporary restraining order for the Republic of Ecuador to prevent default on sovereign debt and working on antitrust class actions for a major multinational bank.

Austin maintains an active appellate practice. He has advocated for clients in various state and federal courts of appeal, including at the certiorari stage.

Austin also contributes to the firm’s pro bono efforts. He represents clients challenging federal and state statutes, seeking redress for the violation of their constitutional rights, and navigating the immigration system.

Austin served as a law clerk to Judge Robin M. Meriweather of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, Judge Nanette K. Laughrey of the United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri and Judge Veronica S. Rossman of the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit. He applies the insights and skills he learned working with federal judges to help his clients succeed in and out of court.

Austin is fluent in Spanish.