About Frances R. Broussard
Legal Assistant: Lavette Neshay | 713-554-6756 | lneshay@thompsonhorton.com
As general counsel to a school district, Frances’ role is inherently one of support and guidance. In the day-to-day issues that arise, her goal as a legal adviser is to provide support to each department and campus so that the students can focus on learning, the teachers can focus on teaching the students, and the administrators can focus on supporting the teachers.
Frances is an associate in the Houston office and currently serves as General Counsel for Spring Branch Independent School District. Her duties include advising school district personnel and the board of trustees on matters such as open government law, employment laws, rights of students and employees, general civil rights issues, and procurement and contracting. She reviews and revises legal and local board policies and reviews district contracts, as well as provides guidance on subpoenas and custodial orders.
Prior to joining Thompson & Horton, Frances practiced in Beaumont, Texas where she represented numerous school districts in Southeast Texas. While in law school, she interned for United States District Judge Lynn N. Hughes and Judge James Mehaffy of the 58th Judicial District of Texas. Frances was an Assistant Editor for the South Texas Law Review.
Education
- J.D., South Texas College of Law, 2006
- Bachelors Degree in Government, the University of Texas at Austin, 2003
Licensing & Court Admissions
- Licensed in the state of Texas
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
- U.S. District Court for the Southern and Eastern Districts of Texas
Memberships & Recognitions
- Houston Bar Association
- State Bar of Texas, School Law Section
- Education Law Association
- National School Boards Association — Council of School Attorneys
- Texas Association of School Boards — Council of School Attorneys
Selected Client Representations
- Conducted investigation of discrimination alleged by female employee of school district
- Conducted investigation of discrimination and retaliation by school district police officers
- Obtained summary judgment on Title VII claim against school district, which was affirmed by the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals
- Conducted extensive administrator training on employee and student grievances and investigations
- Obtained dismissal for school district in litigation case involving claims of discrimination