Wage Theft and Overtime Lawyers Dedicated to Justice in the Workplace
Hablamos Español
Para servir a clientes que necesitan servicios legales en español, tenemos miembros de nuestro equipo que hablan español.
Why Houston Chooses
the Buenker Law Firm
Decades in Practice
Both of our lawyers obtained their law degrees in 1989. Since then, attorneys Josef F. Buenker and Thomas H. Padgett, Jr. have represented many workers in Texas and around the United States in lawsuits for wage theft, tip theft, minimum wage violations, and overtime pay.
Free Consultations
Our Houston attorneys offer free consultations. It costs you nothing to meet with our wage theft lawyers and discuss whether you have a case. If you do, they will advise you on your next steps to recover the pay you are owed.
An Advocate for Employees
We understand that it can be intimidating to take on your employer. Many workers may be discouraged from pursuing litigation out of fear of retaliation or may not believe that the law will protect them. The Buenker Law Firm advocates for workers in Texas and around the United States on a daily basis and fights for people just like you.
Meet Our
Houston, TX, Lawyers
- Josef F. Buenker — Joe Buenker uses his 30 years of litigation and trial experience to fight for the rights of workers who have had their wages stolen by their employers. He enjoys suing employers who trample on the rights of their employees and steal their rightfully earned wages.
- Thomas H. Padgett — A passionate civil rights lawyer, Mr. Padgett is dedicated to empowering his clients and bettering the community. Leveraging his debate skills and compassion for his clients, he strives to give wronged employees a voice and fight for what they are owed.
What Our Wage Theft Attorneys Can Do for You
If you believe you are a victim of wage theft, whether through nonpayment of overtime or minimum wages, misclassification, or tip theft, our law firm can help you. We have recovered unpaid wages for clients across Texas and across the country, and can do the same for you.
The Buenker Law Firm will review your case free of charge to see if your employer violated any laws in the payment of your wages. Our attorneys can meet with you virtually or at our office just outside the loop in Northwest Houston. To set up a free consultation, reach out online or call us directly.
Clients Praise Our Houston Attorneys “They went above and beyond.”
Grace
Houston, TX
2022
Reached out to The Buenker Law Firm regarding an unpaid overtime case. Tom and Joe were extremely helpful in walking me through the whole process and handling communication with my former employer's counsel […] they really went above and beyond to resolve it for me, and I was able to receive a monetary settlement in less than two months, which was an excellent result.
View on GoogleRey
Houston, TX
2024
Very professional and effective team! They guided us all the way and we got amazing results! I would definitely recommend them! Thank you guys.
View on GoogleThe Buenker Law Firm Attorneys at Law Practice Areas
Our Houston attorneys don't work for employers; we only advocate for employees with wage theft and hour claims.
Unpaid Overtime
Federal law requires employers pay most workers one and a half times their hourly rate for all time that they work over 40 hours in a workweek. The overtime laws are complicated and The Buenker Law Firm can give you a free evaluation of whether you may have an overtime claim.
Minimum Wage Violations
Federal and state laws require that employees earn at least $7.25 per hour. There are many ways that employers try to get around paying workers the minimum wage. If you think that your employer is not paying you as much as the law requires, give us a call for a free evaluation of your situation.
Tip Theft
It is illegal for an employer to take any of its workers’ tips, and it is illegal for an employer to give a manager any of the tips customers leave for tipped employees. If you think that your employer is wrongfully taking any of your tips, you can call us to get a free evaluation of your situation.
Misclassification
Many employers wrongfully classify employees as independent contractors. The employer then does not pay federal taxes for the employee and does not pay the employee legally required overtime pay. If you think that your employer misclassified you as an independent contractor, you can click here for more information about independent contractor misclassification, click here to send us a message, or call us at (866) BUENKER.
How We Can Help You
Our attorneys handle a variety of wage theft and hour claims, including but not limited to:
Our Houston Attorneys Are Respected by Other Texas Lawyers
"I had the pleasure to have Joe as my co-counsel on a FLSA case in which we represented the Employer. Joe did a fantastic job. His knowledge of the FLSA is extensive and his trial skills, impressive. Highly recommend Joe on either side of an FLSA case !! See Vanzinni v. Action Meat, 995 F.Supp.2d 703 (2014)."
Jim
