Ashlee Mann Ligarde

In her 20 years of practicing law, Ashlee always comes back to something her Civil Procedure professor said during her first year of law school:  “Every civil case, no matter how complex, is just people trying to work out the differences between them.”  It is a seemingly obvious principle, but one that is easy to forget when sifting through a mountain of documents or crafting a technical argument about an expert witness.  For Ashlee, it means looking at each case first on the macro level and asking: “What is really going on here?”  “What interests is the client trying to preserve?”  “Is there anything at play for the plaintiff other than money?”  The answers to these questions contribute to a sound defense strategy that also respects a client’s corporate personality, business interests and goals.

“Every civil case . . .  is just people.”  Ashlee is especially skilled at getting to know people and understanding the motivations behind their actions.  This skill enables her to bring out the best in defense witnesses, many of whom are emotional and frightened, having been accused of intentionally wrongful conduct.  Ashlee is equally skilled at eliciting damaging testimony from her opponents. 

“Every civil case [is about] working out difference.” One of Ashlee’s favorite aspects of employment law practice, and one of her strongest skills, is writing, both in motion and appellate practice.  She recognizes and can help clients see that sometimes the only way to work out differences is by taking discovery and seeking summary dismissal.  When summary judgment is warranted, Ashlee puts her immense experience with drafting – and winning – summary judgment motions to work.  On the other hand, Ashlee will frankly advise clients regarding resolution when warranted and is highly skilled at settlement negotiations, especially at finding non-monetary means of bridging the gap between the parties.

• American Bar Association, Labor and Employment Law Section
• Austin Bar Association
• National Charity League – Treaty Oak Chapter, Patroness
• Doss Elementary School Parent Teacher Association Volunteer and Committee Chair
• Be The Difference Foundation – Wheel to Survive Committee Chair
• Junior League of Austin
• Little Helping Hands (Generation Serve) Volunteer
• Northwest Austin Youth Basketball Association Board Member
• Umlauf Sculpture Garden & Museum – Garden Party Committee Chair
• Women’s Symphony League of Austin, Member

Ashlee enjoys travel, tennis, volunteering, running and swimming.

More About Ashlee

Best advice a family member or mentor gave me

Being a zealous advocate does not require a lawyer to leave his or her manners at the door. In heeding this advice, I’ve found that I achieve my client’s goals--and much more efficiently--when I cultivate and maintain cordial relationships with adversaries.

What I would be if I wasn't a lawyer

I would be a college professor. I enjoyed college and would have loved to continue my education further. I am also passionate about research and writing and expect I’d have enjoyed that aspect of the career as much as the teaching.

Something you might be surprised to learn about me

I’m a Harry Potter fanatic.

What I love about my area of practice

Employment law is so much more than merely knowing applicable laws and regulations. It is an ongoing quest to understand people and to use that understanding to help businesses succeed.

• “Workplace Investigation Tips for Small Businesses,” Texas Employment Law Letter, August 2017 
• “Responding to Employee Strikes Without Violating the NLRA,” Texas Employment Law Letter, April 2017
• “Austin Employers Should Prepare to Comply with DOL’s Revised Overtime Exemption,” Texas Employment Law Letter, September, 2016
• “Austin ‘Bans the Box’,” Texas Employment Law Letter, June 2016
• “New Austin Law Requires Fingerprint Background Checks for Uber, Lyft drivers,” Texas Employment Law Letter, February 2016
• “Tips for Managing Employee Absenteeism,” Texas Employment Law Letter, November 2015
• “Caitlyn Jenner Increases Focus on Transgender Issues in the Workplace,” Texas Employment Law Letter, August 2015
• “Austin Employers Should Ensure Compliance with Texas Payday Law,” Texas Employment Law Letter, April 2015
• “Even in Austin, Employers Should Prepare for Winter Weather,” Texas Employment Law Letter, December 2014
• “Austin Employers Challenged to Retain Good Employees,” Texas Employment Law Letter, June 2014
• “Unpaid Interns Expose Austin Employers to FLSA Liability,” the Texas Employment Law Letter, January 2014
• "Finding a Nexus for Nonperformance of Services: Delegation of Primary Taxation Authority Under the OECD Model," 11 Emory Int’l L. Rev. 111, Spring 1997