Ricardo “Rick” Lopez’s practice focuses on all areas of school law and litigation. Mr. Lopez has defended numerous school districts, charter schools, other governmental entities, and private employers from claims under state and federal constitutional claims, Title VII, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Family Medical Leave Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, the Texas Commission on Human Rights Act, workers’ compensation retaliation, the Texas Whistleblower Act and state law tort claims. Mr. Lopez has extensive experience successfully representing clients in administrative matters before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Civil Rights Division of the Texas Workforce Commission, and the Office of Civil Rights. Mr. Lopez practices, advises, and defends in special education law and Section 504.
Mr. Lopez has successfully handled numerous teacher termination cases arising under Subchapter F of Chapter 21 of the Texas Education Code, and he has assisted school districts with Reductions-in-Force. Mr. Lopez is also a trusted attorney for numerous school districts on policy, operations, business, student, and employment matters. He advises school Boards on policy matters and has both advised Boards and represented school administration in all manners of grievance hearings arising under Board policy. Mr. Lopez has also handled cases before the Texas Commissioner of Education and the State Office of Administrative Hearings.
Education & Honors
Mr. Lopez received his B.A. from Rice University, and his J.D. from South Texas College of Law in Houston, Texas. While in law school, he was an Articles Editor on the South Texas Law Review’s Editorial Board and an award-winning brief writer for the South Texas College of Law Varsity Moot Court team.
Admissions & Affiliations
Mr. Lopez is admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court, the United States Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, the United States District Courts for the Northern, Eastern, Southern and Western Districts of Texas and before the Supreme Court of Texas.
Mr. Lopez is a member of the Texas Council of School Attorneys, School Law Section of the Texas State Bar, Texas Council of School Attorneys, National School Boards Association, and has served on the Planning Committee for the University of Texas School Law Conference.
Recognitions
Mr. Lopez was recognized as:
- 2022 Best Lawyer in the legal field by Scene SA magazine
- 2021 Best Lawyer in the legal field by Scene SA magazine