Rachel M.Hoffer
Senior Counsel
Labor & Employment
rhoffer@seyfarth.com
Rachel defends employers against allegations that they have violated federal, state, and local employment laws. She advises employers on compliance with those laws and mitigating the risk of such challenges from employees in the first place.
More About Rachel
Clients turn to Rachel to help them navigate the laws that govern many aspects of the employer-employee relationship—from the factors that can be considered in hiring an employee and setting their compensation to the timing of final payment following termination, and everything in between.
Rachel focuses her practice on all aspects of labor and employment litigation and counseling, with an emphasis on wage and hour litigation. She has represented employers before state and federal administrative agencies and courts in matters arising under state and federal wage and hour laws, antidiscrimination laws, the Family and Medical Leave Act and its state counterparts, and other state laws, including wrongful discharge, contract, and tort claims.
The quality of Rachel's written advocacy sets her apart from other attorneys in employment law, as she uses her unique voice and style to best represent and support her clients. She has had the opportunity to write successful briefs in district court, circuit court of appeals, and at the trial and appellate level in state court. Since graduating law school in 2008, she has focused her practice on defense-side employment litigation, with some employment counseling informed by her litigation experience.
In employment litigation, clients expect quality briefing and other legal work, and that's what Rachel provides. She comes up with creative ways to resolve matters. For example, at mediations, when the parties are far apart from a financial perspective, Rachel thinks of non-monetary concessions the employer can offer.
Employment cases are often very emotional for the employee, and there are steps employers can take that mean more to the claimant than monetary damages. Rachel has a high level of emotional intelligence, and makes sure to understand the story and motivations underlying a plaintiff's case when defending employment matters—not just at mediation, but in preparing for depositions.
Rachel enjoys her practice at Seyfarth, where she produces high-quality briefings, and gets into the human element of employment matters.
Rachel focuses her practice on all aspects of labor and employment litigation and counseling, with an emphasis on wage and hour litigation. She has represented employers before state and federal administrative agencies and courts in matters arising under state and federal wage and hour laws, antidiscrimination laws, the Family and Medical Leave Act and its state counterparts, and other state laws, including wrongful discharge, contract, and tort claims.
The quality of Rachel's written advocacy sets her apart from other attorneys in employment law, as she uses her unique voice and style to best represent and support her clients. She has had the opportunity to write successful briefs in district court, circuit court of appeals, and at the trial and appellate level in state court. Since graduating law school in 2008, she has focused her practice on defense-side employment litigation, with some employment counseling informed by her litigation experience.
In employment litigation, clients expect quality briefing and other legal work, and that's what Rachel provides. She comes up with creative ways to resolve matters. For example, at mediations, when the parties are far apart from a financial perspective, Rachel thinks of non-monetary concessions the employer can offer.
Employment cases are often very emotional for the employee, and there are steps employers can take that mean more to the claimant than monetary damages. Rachel has a high level of emotional intelligence, and makes sure to understand the story and motivations underlying a plaintiff's case when defending employment matters—not just at mediation, but in preparing for depositions.
Rachel enjoys her practice at Seyfarth, where she produces high-quality briefings, and gets into the human element of employment matters.
- JD, University of Virginia School of Law
- AB, Duke University
Philosophy and PsychologyCum laude
- Texas
- US Supreme Court
- US Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit
- US Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
- US Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit
- US District Court, Eastern District of Arkansas
- US District Court, Western District of Arkansas
- US District Court, Eastern District of Texas
- US District Court, Northern District of Texas
- US District Court, Southern District of Texas
- US District Court, Western District of Texas
Related Key Industries
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08/15/2024
220 Seyfarth Attorneys Chosen as Leaders in Their Fields by Best Lawyers in America 2025
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08/17/2023
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Aug 18, 2022
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Jul 26, 2019
It’s Easy to See: 20/20 a Clear Win for Employers in the Fifth Circuit
- Listed in Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White Inc.) for Litigation - Labor and Employment (2023-2025)
- Texas Board of Legal Specialization (TBLS), Board Certified in Labor & Employment
- Author, “Sex Bomb: Democrats Push Paycheck Fairness Act—Again,” Wage & Hour Litigation Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (January 27, 2013)
- Co-Author, “New Law Entitles Texas Employees to Store Firearms in Private Vehicles on Employers’ Property,” One Minute Memo, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (July 14, 2011)
- Co-Author, “Texas Employer Fights Back Against FLSA Plaintiffs Who Refuse To Engage In Discovery — And Wins!,” Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (November 19, 2013)
- Co-Author, “ContractorGate: Court Awards Employer Over $550,000 In Attorney’s Fees And Costs Based On DOL’s Unreasonable Litigation Position,” Wage & Hour Litigation Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 11, 2014)
- Co-Author, “Wage-Hour Audits: Lessons Learned From Chipotle’s Heartburn,” Wage & Hour Litigation Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (May 20, 2015)
- Co-Author, “Fifth Circuit Rejects Off-the-Clock Bid: That’s Not Fair(child),” Wage & Hour Litigation Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 8, 2016)
- “Navigating FLSA Settlements,” Seyfarth Shaw LLP, National Wage and Hour Litigation Practice Group Meeting (June 21, 2017)
- “New Rules for Overtime Pay: Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How?,” Association of Corporate Counsel - Houston Chapter, Back-to-School Symposium (Houston, Texas)
- Pro bono work involving trademark protection for church name
- Active involvement at local church, such as participating in a 10-day trip to South Africa
Rachel defends employers against allegations that they have violated federal, state, and local employment laws. She advises employers on compliance with those laws and mitigating the risk of such challenges from employees in the first place.
More About Rachel
Clients turn to Rachel to help them navigate the laws that govern many aspects of the employer-employee relationship—from the factors that can be considered in hiring an employee and setting their compensation to the timing of final payment following termination, and everything in between.
Rachel focuses her practice on all aspects of labor and employment litigation and counseling, with an emphasis on wage and hour litigation. She has represented employers before state and federal administrative agencies and courts in matters arising under state and federal wage and hour laws, antidiscrimination laws, the Family and Medical Leave Act and its state counterparts, and other state laws, including wrongful discharge, contract, and tort claims.
The quality of Rachel's written advocacy sets her apart from other attorneys in employment law, as she uses her unique voice and style to best represent and support her clients. She has had the opportunity to write successful briefs in district court, circuit court of appeals, and at the trial and appellate level in state court. Since graduating law school in 2008, she has focused her practice on defense-side employment litigation, with some employment counseling informed by her litigation experience.
In employment litigation, clients expect quality briefing and other legal work, and that's what Rachel provides. She comes up with creative ways to resolve matters. For example, at mediations, when the parties are far apart from a financial perspective, Rachel thinks of non-monetary concessions the employer can offer.
Employment cases are often very emotional for the employee, and there are steps employers can take that mean more to the claimant than monetary damages. Rachel has a high level of emotional intelligence, and makes sure to understand the story and motivations underlying a plaintiff's case when defending employment matters—not just at mediation, but in preparing for depositions.
Rachel enjoys her practice at Seyfarth, where she produces high-quality briefings, and gets into the human element of employment matters.
Rachel focuses her practice on all aspects of labor and employment litigation and counseling, with an emphasis on wage and hour litigation. She has represented employers before state and federal administrative agencies and courts in matters arising under state and federal wage and hour laws, antidiscrimination laws, the Family and Medical Leave Act and its state counterparts, and other state laws, including wrongful discharge, contract, and tort claims.
The quality of Rachel's written advocacy sets her apart from other attorneys in employment law, as she uses her unique voice and style to best represent and support her clients. She has had the opportunity to write successful briefs in district court, circuit court of appeals, and at the trial and appellate level in state court. Since graduating law school in 2008, she has focused her practice on defense-side employment litigation, with some employment counseling informed by her litigation experience.
In employment litigation, clients expect quality briefing and other legal work, and that's what Rachel provides. She comes up with creative ways to resolve matters. For example, at mediations, when the parties are far apart from a financial perspective, Rachel thinks of non-monetary concessions the employer can offer.
Employment cases are often very emotional for the employee, and there are steps employers can take that mean more to the claimant than monetary damages. Rachel has a high level of emotional intelligence, and makes sure to understand the story and motivations underlying a plaintiff's case when defending employment matters—not just at mediation, but in preparing for depositions.
Rachel enjoys her practice at Seyfarth, where she produces high-quality briefings, and gets into the human element of employment matters.
- JD, University of Virginia School of Law
- AB, Duke University
Philosophy and PsychologyCum laude
- Texas
- US Supreme Court
- US Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit
- US Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
- US Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit
- US District Court, Eastern District of Arkansas
- US District Court, Western District of Arkansas
- US District Court, Eastern District of Texas
- US District Court, Northern District of Texas
- US District Court, Southern District of Texas
- US District Court, Western District of Texas
Related Key Industries
Blogs
Related News & Insights
-
Firm News
08/15/2024
220 Seyfarth Attorneys Chosen as Leaders in Their Fields by Best Lawyers in America 2025
-
Recognition
08/17/2023
210 Seyfarth Attorneys Chosen as Leaders in Their Fields by Best Lawyers in America 2024
-
Recognition
Aug 18, 2022
Seyfarth Attorneys Named in The Best Lawyers in America 2023
-
Blog Post
Jul 26, 2019
It’s Easy to See: 20/20 a Clear Win for Employers in the Fifth Circuit
- Listed in Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White Inc.) for Litigation - Labor and Employment (2023-2025)
- Texas Board of Legal Specialization (TBLS), Board Certified in Labor & Employment
- Author, “Sex Bomb: Democrats Push Paycheck Fairness Act—Again,” Wage & Hour Litigation Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (January 27, 2013)
- Co-Author, “New Law Entitles Texas Employees to Store Firearms in Private Vehicles on Employers’ Property,” One Minute Memo, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (July 14, 2011)
- Co-Author, “Texas Employer Fights Back Against FLSA Plaintiffs Who Refuse To Engage In Discovery — And Wins!,” Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (November 19, 2013)
- Co-Author, “ContractorGate: Court Awards Employer Over $550,000 In Attorney’s Fees And Costs Based On DOL’s Unreasonable Litigation Position,” Wage & Hour Litigation Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 11, 2014)
- Co-Author, “Wage-Hour Audits: Lessons Learned From Chipotle’s Heartburn,” Wage & Hour Litigation Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (May 20, 2015)
- Co-Author, “Fifth Circuit Rejects Off-the-Clock Bid: That’s Not Fair(child),” Wage & Hour Litigation Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 8, 2016)
- “Navigating FLSA Settlements,” Seyfarth Shaw LLP, National Wage and Hour Litigation Practice Group Meeting (June 21, 2017)
- “New Rules for Overtime Pay: Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How?,” Association of Corporate Counsel - Houston Chapter, Back-to-School Symposium (Houston, Texas)
- Pro bono work involving trademark protection for church name
- Active involvement at local church, such as participating in a 10-day trip to South Africa