Michael P. Maslanka

August 06, 2009 | Law.com

A few weeks ago, Jack Welch let loose with his view that women, to make it to the top of the corporate food chain, must let work consume their lives and forget work-life balance -- as in: Don't even think about it. Some likely think that's very Gordon Gekko of Welch, says attorney Michael P. Maslanka, but it raises an important question: How far have women come in the workplace, legally and culturally -- not in theory, but in reality?

By Michael P. Maslanka

7 minute read

September 23, 2005 | Texas Lawyer

Hurricane Rita left Michael P. Maslanka, managing partner of the Dallas office of Ford & Harrison, stranded at a Houston hotel with his BlackBerry and a good bottle of wine. He sent an e-mail, telling about the ordeal.

By Michael P. Maslanka

3 minute read

April 05, 2010 | Texas Lawyer

Let's start a revolution to remake employee handbooks, suggests Michael P. Maslanka. Currently they are fear-driven: Do this, don't do that. But they could be so much more. He offers some suggested handbook revisions that will play well to a jury if an employer is sued.

By Michael P. Maslanka

3 minute read

April 21, 2010 | The Legal Intelligencer

Have you ever envied a co-worker? It is human, but it's unproductive. Envy is "the green-eyed monster which doth mock/The meat it feeds on," writes William Shakespeare in "Othello."

By Michael P. Maslanka

3 minute read

May 10, 2010 | Texas Lawyer

It's time for spring cleaning — out with the old; in with the new, says Michael P. Maslanka. Let's clear out the legal closet; we'll make room for new developments and send outdated theories out with the trash. He starts with a key point in Texas noncompete law, discusses some retaliation cases and ends with some spring cleaning.

By Michael P. Maslanka

6 minute read

August 28, 2012 | Law.com

While watching the Olympics, attorney Michael P. Maslanka focuses on the runners-up, those decked in silver and bronze, rather than the gold-medal winners. Athletes lose; so do lawyers. How should we handle losing? What does it teach us? Having tried a lot of cases, and lost some, Maslanka offers some lessons learned.

By Michael P. Maslanka

6 minute read

June 11, 2012 | Texas Lawyer

The Texas summer is heating up, which means it's time for my annual bag of beach books for corporate counsel, writes Michael P. Maslanka. So stow the briefcases, grab the sunscreen and fire up the e-readers. This year's books focus on persuasion, leadership and career development. First on the list is "The Rules of Influence: Winning When You're in the Minority," by William D. Crano.

By Michael P. Maslanka

7 minute read

July 02, 2012 | Texas Lawyer

What's up with the Family and Medical Leave Act? Courts are deciding lots of interesting cases and swatting down employees whose claims are inconsistent with the FMLA's purpose. Brace yourself for a string of sanity, writes Michael P. Maslanka. First, let's travel to the Philippines and look at one employee who thought the FMLA protected her absences from work to visit her native country to see a faith healer.

By Michael P. Maslanka

8 minute read

March 14, 2012 | The Legal Intelligencer

I celebrated my 30th anniversary as a lawyer in 2011. Here are 10 things I have learned over the years.

By Michael P. Maslanka

7 minute read

April 02, 2012 | Texas Lawyer

First, for those attorneys who aren't yet on Facebook, it helps to understand some basics. Some Facebook accounts are public (like mine), while others restrict access. People can post photos on Facebook. The Facebook functionality also includes a place to indicate whether the user is in a relationship and with whom, educational background, political leanings, and a status-update section where the user posts whatever is on his or her mind.

By Michael P. Maslanka

6 minute read