For more than 30 years, Cyndi Benedict has successfully represented clients in a variety of employment matters at both the state and federal levels, often using her vast knowledge and thorough research skills to reach a favorable resolution outside of the courtroom. In addition to successfully representing clients during arbitration, mediation and summary judgment hearings, she has successfully represented clients in the courtroom.

A partner in the firm's San Antonio location since 1990, Cyndi's practice is focused on employer/employee relationship matters, including wrongful termination; employment discrimination; ADA, Title VII, ADEA, FMLA and Equal Pay Act issues; wage and hour compliance under the FLSA; the development and management of employer practices and policies; and individual or class action litigation involving state, federal and common law causes of action.  Cyndi also has experience in USERRA litigation, counseling employers on compliance with federal law regarding military personnel employment and re-employment issues, restrictive covenant and covenant not to compete matters.    

Cyndi's commitment to clients transcends current cases, frequently counseling clients on new changes in the law and the effects of those changes on clients' business-employee relations. She counsels clients on corporate restructuring, workforce reductions and reorganizing efforts as they relate to employee relations.

Cyndi has served on various Firm wide committees and task groups, including five years as a Tri-Chair of the Diversity Committee.

Recent representation includes:

• Represents companies in alleged race, national origin, age and sex discrimination, harassment and hostile work environment claims
• Represents companies in claims of alleged violations of ADA, ADEA, Title VII, FMLA, FLSA and SOX retaliation statutes
• Represents and counsels companies in potential and alleged wrongful termination cases including state statutory and tort claims for actions such as intentional infliction of emotional distress, fraud, assault, whistleblower and workers' compensation discrimination
• Represents companies in class action litigation regarding wage and hour laws
• Counsels companies in reorganization and workforce reductions efforts
• Represents and counsels businesses in maintaining non-union status and related NLRA education and compliance

In February 2001, Cyndi presented the "State Statutory/Contract Update" at the Advanced Employment Law course for the State Bar of Texas. In 2006-07, Cyndi was selected for and served on the State Bar of Texas Task Force on Hiring, Retention and Promotion of Minority and Women Attorneys. The directive to the Task Force was to study and make recommendations to the State Bar on this topic of diversity. Professional memberships include:

• State Bar of Texas
• American Bar Association
• San Antonio Bar Association
• American Employment Law Council

• Certified in Labor and Employment Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization
• "Texas Top Rated Lawyer," LexisNexis Martindale-Hubbell (2012, 2013)
• "Texas Super Lawyer," Thomson Reuters (2006 - 2012)
  • Top 50 Central and West Texas Region
  • Top 50 Women in Texas
• Best Lawyers
  • Best Lawyers in San Antonio (2006 - 2012)
  • The Best Lawyers in America, Labor and Employment (2006 - 2013)
  • The Best Lawyers in America, Employment Law - Management, Labor Law - Management, Labor Law - Union and Litigation - Labor & Employment (2012 - 2013)
  • "Lawyer of the Year," San Antonio, Labor and Employment (2011)
  • "Lawyer of the Year," San Antonio, Employment Law - Management (2012)
  • "Lawyer of the Year," San Antonio, Litigation - Labor and Employment (2013)

• "The Employment at Will Doctrine," Chapter 1, Texas Employment Law Handbook, 2007-10 
• "Handling the Down Times," San Antonio Business Journal, July 2001
• "Supreme Court Gives Green Light to Employers for Arbitration of Employment Disputes," San Antonio Business Journal, April 2001
• Contributing Author, "Employment Discrimination Law Five Year Supplement," American Bar Association, 2000 Update
• "Employment and Labor Law Annual Survey of Texas Law," SMU Law Review, 1997

Cyndi regularly speaks on various employment law issues including state and federal updates, reductions of workforce and employee arbitration agreements. Recent speeches include:

• "Union Issues for Non-Union Employers," Frost Insurance Labor Laws Seminar, San Antonio, Texas, April 2009
• "Privacy in Cyberspace? Employer Monitoring of Employee Electronic Activity," San Antonio Labor & Employment Breakfast Briefing, San Antonio, Texas, November 2008
• "FMLA Top 10 (Or So) Changes You Need to Know About," Catto & Catto LLP, San Antonio, Texas, May 2008
• "Unionization Risks Within the Healthcare Industry," Texas Society for Healthcare Human Resource Administration and Education, San Antonio, Texas, September 2007
• "Litigation Trends and Agency Update," San Antonio Labor & Employment Breakfast Briefing, San Antonio, Texas, February 2007
• "Unionization Risks Within the Healthcare Industry," Greater San Antonio Hospital Council, San Antonio, Texas, March 2006
• "Controlling Damages in Discrimination Cases," Texas Society for Healthcare Human Resource Administrators, San Antonio, Texas, October 2004
• "Hot Issues and Developments in Labor and Employment Law," Texas Society for Healthcare Human Resource Administrators, San Antonio, Texas, October 2004
• "FLSA The New Regulation," JP Morgan Chase, San Antonio, Texas, April 2004
• "Wrongful Discharge," Texas Self Insurance Association, San Antonio, Texas, November 2003
• "Disability Discrimination, Accommodation & the FMLA," Houston Society for Healthcare and Human Resources Administrators, Houston, Texas, May 2003
• "Dealing with Sexual and other Harassment in the Workplace," Houston Society for Healthcare and Human Resources Administrators, Houston, Texas, May 2003

1981 - J.D., with honors, St. Mary's University School of Law
1978 - B.A., Liberal Arts, Virginia Tech

Cyndi was admitted to practice law in Texas in 1981. She is also licensed to practice in the United States Supreme Court, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit and the United States District Court for the Western, Northern, Southern and Eastern Districts of Texas.

Cyndi's interests outside the office are traveling, history and her family.

• Texas
• Labor and Employment Law

• Children's Shelter of San Antonio
  • Past Board Member (1990 - 1999)
  • Pro-bono Legal Services (1990 - 1999)
• Children's Shelter Foundation, Board of Directors (2005 - 2011)