Articles

Fred Stormer

Shareholder

Underwood, Wilson, Berry, Stein, and Johnson, P.C.
500 S. Taylor, Suite 1200
Amarillo, TX 79101
(806) 379-0306
(806) 379-0316 fax
Fred.Stormer@uwlaw.com

  Click to download Fred Stormer's vcard

Mr. Stormer's practice is comprised chiefly of Education Law, which includes general civil defense in such areas as breach of contract, wrongful termination and federal rights, Construction Law, and Public Finance Law.

Practice Concentration and Experience

Education Law

• Represent numerous school districts as general counsel and advises districts on personnel matters, including documentation, non-renewal hearings, and termination hearings
• Represent school districts with regard to student discipline matters and appeals, including TRO defense
• Advise school districts on Open Meetings Act and Public Information Act matters, including request for Attorney General Opinions and Open Records Decisions
• Draft and negotiate contracts, including food service management company contracts, architect and construction contracts, and exclusive vending provider agreements

Civil Appeals

• Appeals to state appellate court and Texas Supreme Court
• Appeals to Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals
• Administrative appeals to the Commissioner of Education

General Civil Litigation

• Represent public entities against discrimination claims, allegations of civil rights violations, construction disputes, wage and hour claims, and Open Meetings Act issues
• Represent insureds in various personal injury claims, including those arising out of transportation and premises liability
• Draft and revise personnel policies and employee handbooks
• Represent public entities in employment issues, contractual disputes, and personal injury litigation

Activities and Affiliations

• Admitted to practice in the Northern District of Texas
• Board of Directors, State Bar of Texas Counsel of School Law Attorneys, selected September 2007
• Member, National Association of School Attorneys
• Member, Texas Young Lawyers Association
• Member, Amarillo Bar Association
• Member, Amarillo Area Young Lawyers Association
• Participant in Leadership Amarillo/Canyon
• TEA Certified provider of Continuing Education for school boards

Publications and Presentations

• "Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Access: the ADA 16 Years Later," presented at the 23rd Annual University of Texas School Law Conference, Austin, February 2008
• "80th Legislative Update" presented to Region 16, Amarillo Texas, August 2007
• "Administrator Training" presented to Reagan County ISD, August 2007
• "Being Your Brothers' Keeper - Should School Districts Monitor Employee and Student Blogs?" presented at the WTAMU Spring Seminar, Canyon TX, May 2007
• TEA approved Board Continuing Education Training, Reagan County ISD, Big Lake, TX, May 2007
• "Getting to the Root of the Family Law Jungle,"presented to Professional Development for District Secretaries," Region 16 Education Service Center, Amarillo, TX, December, 2006
• "FERPA: Compliance with Disclosure without Exposure," presented to Professional Development for District Secretaries," Region 16 ESC, Amarillo, TX, December, 2006
• "Sexual Harassment and Investigations," presented to Big Spring ISD Administration, Big Spring, TX, August 2006 TEA approved Board Continuing Education Training, River Road ISD, Amarillo, TX, August 2006
• "Sexual Harassment and Investigations," Texas Association of School Personnel Administrators, ESC 16, June 2006
• "Documentation," Texas Association of School Personnel Administrators, ESC 16, June 2006
• "Telecommunication Devices a/k/a What's the Answer to Question No. 7?," presented at the WTAMU Spring Seminar, Canyon TX, May 2006
• "Telecommunication Devices a/k/a What's the Answer to Question No. 7?," presented at the TASA Midwinter Conference, January 2006
• "Vendor Contracts: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly," presented at the TASA/TASB 45th Annual Convention, Dallas, October 2005
• "Employee File Documentation a/k/a Doing the Paper Shuffle," presented at the Hereford Independent School District Administrator's Training, Hereford TX, September 2005
• "Sexual Harassment and Child Abuse," and "Student and Family Rights," presented at the Crosbyton Consolidated Independent School District In-Service Training, Crosbyton TX, August 2005
• "79th Legislative Update," presented at Region 16, Amarillo TX, August 2005
• "Employee File Documentation a/k/a Doing the Paper Shuffle," presented at the Canyon Independent School District Administrator's Retreat, Canyon TX, July 2005
• "Hot Topics in Public Education," presented at the WTAMU Spring Seminar, Canyon TX, May 2005
• "Private Companies: Vendors and Their Contracts" presented to 20th Annual University of Texas School Law Conference, Austin, February 2005
• "Breaking Up Is Hard To Do: Reductions in Force and Voluntary Exit Incentive Programs," presented at the TASA/TASB 44th Annual Convention, September 2004
• "Board Governance Issues and Drafting Board Operating Procedures," presented to Plemmons-Stinnett-Phillips Consolidated Independent School District Board, Stinnett TX, August 2004
• "School District Employment Agreements and Board Governance Issues," presented to Hart Independent School District Board, Hart TX, July 2004
• "Wage and Hour Update," presented at West Texas A&M University, Canyon TX, May 2004
• FLSA Wage and Hour Update Seminar, presentation at Region 17, Lubbock TX, December 2003
• FLSA Wage and Hour Update Seminar, presentation at Region 16, Amarillo TX, November 2003
• "Breaking Up Is Hard To Do: Reductions In Force and Exit Incentive Programs," presented at the Counsel of School Attorneys Education Law Conference, TASA/TASB Convention, Dallas, September 2003
• "Changes In Law Affecting Students: Legislative Update 78th Legislative Session 2003," presentation to Panhandle Superintendents, Amarillo TX, August 2003
• "Employee File Documentation a/k/a Doing the Paper Shuffle," Amarillo Independent School District, March 2003
• "Workplace Privacy - To Snoop or Not to Snoop?," Underwood Law Firm Employment Law Update Seminar, Amarillo TX, February 2003
• Presentation at Underwood Law Firm's Employment Law Seminar, Region 16 Educational Support Center, AmarilloTX, January 2003
• "Employee Privacy Rights," Sterling Legal Seminar, Amarillo TX, October 2002
• "Reduction in Force/Voluntary Exit Plans," presented at TASA/TASB Convention, Dallas, September 2002
• "Avoiding Liability," Athletics In-Service Presentation, Amarillo Independent School District, August 2002
• "Top Ten Things School Districts Should Do Before They Hire Someone," presented at Region 16 Educational Support Center, Amarillo TX, June 2002
• New Board Member Orientation, Grandview-Hopkins Independent School District Board of School Trustees, Grandview-Hopkins TX, June 2002
• "Student Free Speech and the Internet," presented at Region 16 Education Support Center, Amarillo TX, February 2001
• "Now You are Eighteen," presented at the Amarillo Independent School District, March 2001
• "Prayer in Schools," presented at the Panhandle Association of Principals, Amarillo TX, November 2000
• "Student Free Speech and the Internet," presented at Region 16 Education Support Center, Amarillo TX, October 2000

Education

• J.D. Texas Tech University School of Law, 1999
• summa cum laude
• Order of the Coif
• B.S. Texas Tech University, 1990
• cum laude