Donald F. Houston
Founding Member and Managing Director since 2001
Donald F. Houston, a native of Bridgeport, Connecticut, graduated from Yale University and the University of Virginia Law School. He has been included in The Best Lawyers in America since 1996 and has also received mention in Connecticut Magazine, in July, 2001, “Top Lawyers in Connecticut,” New York Magazine, July, 2006, “The New York Area’s Best Lawyers”; New England Super Lawyers (2007 & 2008); and Super Lawyers - Corporate Counsel Edition (2010). Attorney Houston has represented both private and public sector management in all aspects of labor and employment matters since 1973. He focuses his practice upon preventative labor and employment counseling and advice. He has significant experience in defense of unfair labor practice, occupational safety and health and fair employment practices, as well as collective bargaining, contract administration and grievance and interest arbitration matters. Attorney Houston has served as a member of the Representative Town Meeting in Fairfield and as a Regent of the Fairfield College Preparatory School. Currently, he is a member of the Labor Law and Education Law Sections of the Connecticut Bar Association. He has previously served as President of the Connecticut School Attorneys Council. Attorney Houston has served as an arbitrator representing the interests of boards of education under the State Teacher Negotiation Act and also serves on the American Arbitration Association Labor Management Advisory Council. He is on the Board of the McGivney Community Center and is a former Board member of the lnner City Foundation for Charity and Hope.
Areas of Practice
- Education Law
- Employment Law -- Employer
- Labor Law
- Occupational Safety & Health Act (OSHA) -- Employer
Bar Admissions
- Connecticut, 1973
- U.S. Court of Appeals 2nd Circuit, 1975
- U.S. District Court District of Connecticut, 1974
- U.S. Supreme Court, 1981
Education
- University of Virginia School of Law, Charlottesville, Virginia
- J.D., Doctor of Jurisprudence - 1973
- Honors: Member, Jessup International Law Moot Court Team
- Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut
- B.A., Bachelor of Arts - 1970
Honors and Awards
- The Best Lawyers in America, 1996 - 2009
- Connecticut Magazine, "Connecticut Super Lawyers", 2008 - Present
- New England Super Lawyers, 2007 - 2008
- Strathmore's Who's Who, Lifetime Member, 2007 - Present
- New York Magazine, "New York Area's Best Lawyers", 2006 - Present
- Connecticut Magazine, "Top Lawyers in Connecticut", 2001 - Present
- Super Lawyers- Corporate Counsel Edition, 2010 - Present
- New York areas top attorneys, 2011 - Present
Professional Associations and Memberships
- Connecticut Bar Association, Member, Education Law Committee and Labor and Employment Law Section
- Connecticut Bar Association, Former Member Executive Committee, Labor and Employment Section
- Connecticut School Attorneys Council, Member and Former President
- American Arbitration Association, Labor Advisory Committee, 1983 - Present
- National School Attorneys Association
- State of Connecticut Teacher Negotiation Act, Arbitrator, Boards of Education, 1997 - 2007
- Inner City Foundation for Charity and Hope, Former Member, Board of Directors
- Yale University, Alumni Schools Interview Committee
- Fairfield United Soccer Association, Founder, Former President
- Fairfield College Preparatory School, Board of Regents, 1980 - 1991
- Fairfield Representative Town Meeting, Member, 1977 - 1979
Pro Bono Activities
- McGivney Community Center, Board of Directors, 2004 - Present
Fraternities/Sororities
- Delta Kappa Epsilon
- Phi Delta Phi
