Aaron Holt

Member

Recent Publication:

FTC’s Final Rule Banning Employee Noncompete Agreements Struck Down [Alert]

Aaron Holt, Mike Schmidt, and David Barron discuss the Northern District of Texas striking down the FTC's Final Rule with nationwide effect.

Aaron partners with in-house counsel and human resources professionals to provide practical guidance on workforce matters and resolve employment disputes. Raised in a military family, Aaron’s discipline and drive to understand his clients’ businesses inform his ability to address his clients’ needs and identify solutions. Aaron represents a diverse group of employers across the country, and his clients include Fortune 500 companies in the banking, financial services, manufacturing, grocery, retail, gaming, hospitality, health care, and energy industries.

Aaron has been continuously Board Certified in Labor and Employment Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization since 2015. Prior to dedicating his legal practice to labor & employment, Aaron served as a felony prosecutor with the Harris County District Attorney’s Office in the fourth largest city in the country - Houston, Texas. Aaron’s many years of trial experience now guide his litigation strategy on labor and employment claims. In state and federal courts across the country, Aaron regularly defends his clients against single and multi-plaintiff lawsuits, as well as investigations brought by state and federal administrative agencies, such as the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Aaron’s prior prosecutorial and investigative experience make him particularly adept at conducting independent investigations into high-profile and confidential workplace allegations. 

Aaron has represented management before the National Labor Relations Board with respect to union elections, claims of unfair labor practices, injunction hearings, and labor arbitrations. A recognized authority in labor matters, Aaron is a contributing author to the American Bar Association's guide on How to Take a Case Before the NLRB and their Midwinter Treatise on the Fair Labor Standards Act.

Because of Aaron's common-sense advice and breadth of experience, newspapers, television programs, and magazines regularly look to Aaron for legal analysis, especially as it relates to employment issues involving free speech and social media. Aaron has been quoted by Texas Monthly, National Public Radio (NPR), Bloomberg Law, The Huffington Post, the Chicago Tribune, The Washington Post, and The Wall Street Journal, among many other national and local media outlets. 

Aaron earned his undergraduate degree from Texas A&M University and his law degree from Texas Tech University School of Law.

Experience

News

Best Lawyers Honors More Than 200 Cozen O'Connor Attorneys in its Best Lawyers in America 2025 Edition

August 15, 2024

Best Lawyers selected 242 Cozen O’Connor lawyers from 24 of the firm’s U.S. offices for inclusion in the 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in America and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America.

TikTok Layoff Videos Pose Quandary for Bosses on How to Respond

April 26, 2024

Aaron Holt was quoted in a Bloomberg Law article discussing the legal implications of the growing TikTok trend, in which employees record and post videos of their interactions with employers, most notably when being laid off.

Cozen O’Connor Serves as U.S. Counsel to Cogne Acciai Speciali SpA on Definitive Agreement to Acquire Capital Stock of Mannesmann Stainless Tubes GmbH

March 05, 2024

Mannesmann has operations and operating plants throughout the United States as well as in Germany, France, and Italy. The transaction is valued at €135 million.

High Court Religious Bias Decision Paves Way for EEOC Vax Suits

September 26, 2023

Aaron Holt was quoted in Bloomberg Law discussing the EEOC's first lawsuit filed against companies over failure to grant employee religious exemptions to COVID-19 vaccine policies and what it means moving forward.

Best Lawyers Honors More Than 200 Cozen O'Connor Attorneys to its Best Lawyers in America 2024 Edition

August 17, 2023

Best Lawyers selected 232 Cozen O’Connor lawyers from 24 of the firm’s U.S. offices for inclusion in the 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers in America.

Aaron Holt to Serve as Co-Chair of ABA Employee Privacy Subcommittee

June 06, 2023

Aaron Holt, a member of Cozen O’Connor’s Labor & Employment Department, has been named the co-chair of the Employee Privacy Subcommittee of the America Bar Association’s Employment Rights & Responsibilities Committee.

Automation curbs, changes safety risks

May 03, 2023

Aaron Holt was quoted in Business Insurance discussing the increasing use of automation in the workplace.

Three Cozen O’Connor Attorney’s Named 2023 Texas Rising Stars

March 22, 2023

Super Lawyers has named William Craven, Aaron Holt, and Nandini Sane to its 2023 list of Rising Stars in Texas.

How Should Employers Handle Controversy Over Office Romances?

December 23, 2022

Aaron Holt was quoted in Zenefits discussing how an office romance could cause problems for a company.

12 Small Business Trends and Predictions for 2023

December 05, 2022

Aaron Holt spoke with the Business News Daily about what to keep an eye on for small businesses in 2023.

Do's and don'ts for your workplace Halloween

October 25, 2022

Aaron Holt was quoted in the San Francisco Examiner discussing Halloween costumes in the workplace.

More Than 200 Cozen O’Connor Attorneys Named Best Lawyers and Ones to Watch

August 22, 2022

210 Cozen O’Connor lawyers from 24 of the firm’s nationwide offices for inclusion in the 2023 edition of The Best Lawyers in America.

Two Cozen O’Connor Attorneys Honored by Texas Lawyer

July 26, 2022

Alicia Curran was awarded a Best Mentor designation and Holt was recognized as a lawyer On The Rise.

How Employers Can Avoid Making Remote Work a Legal Minefield

May 31, 2022

David Barron and Aaron Holt were quoted in Law.com discussing the challenges employers face with remote workers.

Three Cozen O’Connor Attorney’s Named 2022 Texas Rising Stars

April 26, 2022

Super Lawyers has named William Craven (Insurance Coverage), Aaron Holt (Labor & Employment), and Nandini Sane (Labor & Employment) to its 2022 list of Rising Stars in Texas.

New #MeToo Arbitration Law to Be Cited in Push for Broader Bill

March 11, 2022

Aaron Holt was quoted in SHRM discussing the latest with the Forced Arbitration Injustice Repeal Act.

More Than 205 Cozen O’Connor Attorneys Named Best Lawyers and Ones to Watch By The Best Lawyers In America

August 19, 2021

Best Lawyers selected 210 Cozen O’Connor lawyers from 23 of the firm’s nationwide offices for inclusion in the 2022 edition of The Best Lawyers in America.

Remind Returning Employees of Professional Expectations

July 16, 2021

Aaron Holt spoke to SHRM about how employees who have gotten used to working from home may need a refresher on professional expectations when they return to the office.

Internships 'somewhat in flux' as employers make reopening decisions

April 06, 2021

Aaron Holt was quoted in HR Dive discussing the challenges that businesses face when deciding if an internship should be paid or unpaid.

Who Exactly Is an Independent Contractor, Anyway?

January 28, 2021

Aaron Holt joined Supply Chain Brain to explain the latest ruling by the U.S. Department of Labor on the definition of an “employee” versus an “independent contractor.”

Rioters who stormed US Capitol now face backlash at work

January 08, 2021

Aaron Holt spoke with U.S. News and World Report about the repercussions employees who attended the riots at the Capitol will face at work.

Trump administration finalizes independent contractor rule criticized by labor advocates

January 06, 2021

Aaron Holt was quoted in Yahoo! Finance discussing the U.S. Department of Labor's final rule to define whether workers are employees or independent contractors.

How political activism outside the office can get you in trouble at work

October 30, 2020

Aaron Holt was quoted in Employee Benefit Adviser discussing the limits to what employees can do or say without risking their employment or violating company policy.

Safety is the new workplace ‘perk’ job seekers will be evaluating when applying to companies

August 31, 2020

Aaron Holt spoke with Business Insider about how safety is more top of mind for employees now.

200 Cozen O’Connor Attorneys Named Best Lawyers and Ones to Watch By The Best Lawyers In America

August 20, 2020

Best Lawyers selected 200 Cozen O’Connor lawyers from 23 of the firm’s nationwide offices for inclusion in the 2021 edition of The Best Lawyers in America© (Copyright 2020 by Woodward/White, Inc., of Aiken, SC).

Election stress rising at home, and at the office

August 07, 2020

Aaron Holt spoke joined NewsRadio 740 KTRH to discuss sharing political beliefs at work.

Workers turn into amateur sleuths to track virus cases

July 19, 2020

Aaron Holt was quoted in The Washington Post discussing employers providing a safe work environment during the COVID-19 pandemic.

What Workers Need to Know About Protests—On and Off the Job

June 26, 2020

Aaron Holt was quoted in the Wall Street Journal discussing employers addressing political messages in the workplace.

Can you get fired for protesting? Or spouting off on social media?

June 15, 2020

Aaron Holt was quoted in the Chicago Tribune discussing anti-discrimination protections and incendiary conduct in the workplace.

Can You Lose Your Job For Participating In Protests?

June 05, 2020

Aaron Holt was quoted in Yahoo! Finance discussing how the First Amendment depends on when and how you protest if it protects you from your employer.

The Hunt for a Leaker at the Harris County District Attorney’s Office

May 15, 2020

Aaron Holt was quoted in Texas Monthly discussing a public employee in Texas who was fired for sharing an internal email with the public.

Can we require a sick employee to pass a COVID-19 test before returning to work?

April 28, 2020

Aaron Holt discussed with HR Dive about employers requiring proof of a negative COVID-19 test before permitting them to return to work.

Cozen O’Connor Promotes 20 to Membership

April 08, 2020

Cozen O'Connor is pleased to recognize 20 attorneys with the promotion to member.

Congress Is Poised to Come Up With Coronavirus Aid for Small Business. Here's What to Expect

March 17, 2020

Aaron Holt was quoted in Inc. discussing the Families First Coronavirus Response Act.

What Employers can do now that the Coronavirus is in Houston

March 05, 2020

Aaron Holt was interviewed by Houston Public Media to discuss what employers in Houston should do moving forward with the rise of the coronavirus.

How to Protect Yourself from Wage Theft

March 02, 2020

Aaron Holt was quoted in Life Hacker discussing what wage theft looks like.

Publications

FTC’s Final Rule Banning Employee Noncompete Agreements Struck Down [Alert]

August 21, 2024

Aaron Holt, Mike Schmidt, and David Barron discuss the Northern District of Texas striking down the FTC's Final Rule with nationwide effect.

#NoFilter: Outside-of-Work Social Media Posts Can Create a Hostile Work Environment [Alert]

August 15, 2024

Aaron Holt discusses the court's expanded definition of a hostile work environment which includes social media posts made by an employee outside of work.

FTC Issues Final Rule Banning Employee Non-Compete Agreements [Alert]

April 25, 2024

The FTC has issued a Final Rule banning all new noncompete agreements for workers, including senior executives, effective 120 days after publication in the Federal Register.

Fifth Circuit Refuses to Enforce the NLRB’s Ban on Uniform Requirements [Alert]

November 27, 2023

Aaron Holt and Silvia Chicas discuss the Fifth Circuit’s decision in Tesla, Inc. v. National Labor Relations Board, which is a victory for employers seeking to enforce their uniform requirement.

NLRB Issues Guidance on Non-Disparagement & Confidentiality Clauses [Alert]

March 23, 2023

The NLRB recently overturned decades of precedent to hold that non-disparagement and confidentiality provisions are broadly unlawful when imposed on employees.

FTC Proposes Rule to Ban or Limit Non-Compete Agreements [Alert]

January 09, 2023

President Biden's Executive Order in July 2021 encouraged the FTC to ban or limit non-compete agreements. The FTC proposed the ban on January 5, 2023.

Free speech, the Supreme Court and social media, oh my! [Benefits Pro]

January 05, 2023

Aaron Holt authored an article on the future of online speech and regulations.

#NoFilter: Can States Regulate the Content of Social Media Platforms?

October 05, 2022

A recent decision from the Fifth Circuit upheld a Texas state law impacting the power of social media platforms to moderate content on their platforms.

5 Tips For Employers Regulating Employee Speech Online [Law360]

June 24, 2022

Aaron Holt authored an article about how courts are increasingly being asked to address employment matters involving speech on social media.

#No Filter: Regulating an Employer’s Social Media Posts [Blog Post]

May 25, 2022

A May 20, 2022 decision from the Third Circuit Court of Appeals impacts the limits of permissible speech by employers on social media.

FAQ: Texas Executive Order Restricting Mandatory Vaccination Policies [Alert]

October 13, 2021

Aaron Holt answers questions employers may have about Texas's Executive Order No. GA-40.

#No Filter: Terminating an Employee for Social Media Posts – Part 4 [HR Headaches Blog]

June 14, 2021

Prior to the advent of social media, employers were generally comfortable drawing a bright line between what employees did on their own time and workplace misconduct. However, those bygone times have been replaced by a modern era wherein employers are forced to apply employment laws created before...

A Revised Post-Coronavirus Return to Work Checklist [Alert]

June 07, 2021

In light of recent guidance issued by the Center for Disease Control and the EEOC, we have updated our Return to Work Checklist.

Employer Guide to COVID-19 Vaccination [HR Headaches Blog]

January 22, 2021

David Barron, John Carrigan, Jr., Arielle Eisenberg, Aaron Holt, and Nandini Sane designed a guide on how employers can handle the COVID-19 vaccination for their employees. The most important question right now for Human Resources professionals is vaccination and more specifically, how to implement...

Employer Guide to COVID-19 Vaccination

January 20, 2021

David Barron, John Carrigan, Jr., Arielle Eisenberg, Aaron Holt, and Nandini Sane designed a guide on how employers can handle the COVID-19 vaccination for their employees.

#No Filter: Terminating an Employee for Social Media Posts – Part 3 [HR Headaches Blog]

December 17, 2020

Prior to the advent of social media, employers were generally comfortable drawing a bright line between what employees did on their own time and workplace misconduct. Those bygone times, however, have been replaced by a modern era wherein employers are forced to apply employment laws created before...

Return to Work Post-Coronavirus Checklist

April 24, 2020

Cozen O'Connor Labor and Employment attorneys addressed how employers should plan returning to work post-coronavirus.

FAQ: Families First Coronavirus Response Act [Alert]

March 19, 2020

Aaron Holt answers employers' questions regarding the Families First Coronavirus Response Act.

Texas Governor Requests Small Business Administration Disaster Loans [Alert]

March 18, 2020

Aaron Holt discusses steps the governor of Texas has taken to secure to long-term, low-interest Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) for businesses and private nonprofits.

Employers Should Make Coronavirus Preparations Now [Bar Business Magazine]

March 13, 2020

Aaron Holt wrote an article discussing the action that employers should take with coronavirus within the workplace.

Events & Seminars

Past Events

ACC - Best Practices for Remote Work Policies

July 21, 2022 - The Woodlands, TX

COVID-19 Update: Getting Back to Work

June 03, 2021 - Webinar

Changes in Pre-employment Practices

May 20, 2021 - Webinar

You Are What You Write! The Law of Social Media

October 29, 2019 - Fort Worth, TX

Education

  • Texas Tech University School of Law, J.D., 2008
  • Texas A&M University, B.S., 2005

Awards & Honors

Best Lawyers in America Ones to Watch 2021-2025

Texas Super Lawyers, Rising Stars 2022-2023

Texas Lawyer, On the Rise 2022

  • Texas
  • U.S. District Court -- Southern District of Texas
  • U.S. District Court -- Northern District of Texas
  • U.S. District Court -- Eastern District of Texas
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
  • American Bar Association
  • Houston Bar Association
  • State Bar of Texas
  • Co-Chair for the Employee Privacy Subcommittee of the American Bar Association’s Employment Rights & Responsibilities Committee