Cox Smith Continues Dallas Expansion with the Addition of Labor/Employment and Litigation Attorneys

Press Releases

3.28.11

Cox Smith Matthews Incorporated ("Cox Smith") today announced that Arlene Switzer Steinfield and Cody L. Towns have joined the firm's Dallas office as shareholders. Steinfield brings extensive labor and employment law experience to the firm's distinguished employment and employer rights practice, while Towns joins the firm's litigation team.

"Our Dallas office is continuing to grow as we identify opportunities to further assist our clients by bringing on talented and well-respected attorneys like Arlene and Cody," said Jamie Smith, Managing Director of Cox Smith. "These two individuals have a wealth of experience, which will serve our current and future clients well, and are committed to exceptional client service. Everyone at the firm joins me in welcoming them to our team."

Arlene Steinfield has more than 30 years of experience counseling management in labor and employment law matters. She represents clients across a wide range of industries, including professional service firms, retail, energy, consumer products, financial services, healthcare, hospitality and real estate. She litigates employment discrimination cases and other workplace disputes in state and federal court with a focus on obtaining summary early dismissals. She also counsels employers on preventative compliance strategies, conducts employment law compliance training, and appears on behalf of her clients before administrative agencies. She also serves as an independent investigator for workplace complaints and as a mediator of employment litigation matters. A magna cum laude graduate of Georgetown University Law Center, and of the University of Rochester, Steinfield is a frequent speaker at conferences and symposiums on issues related to workforce reductions, employment litigation, retaliation, investigations, and ethical issues.

Recognized repeatedly for the results she obtains for her clients, Steinfield has been named in Best Lawyers in America® since 2003, one of the Top 50 Women Texas Super Lawyers, one of the Best Women Lawyers in Dallas (D Magazine), a Texas Super Lawyer (Texas Monthly) since 2003, and Corporate Counsel Magazine's Best Lawyers: Labor and Employment listing since 2004. Since 2007, she has been recognized in Labor & Employment Law by Chambers USA, a prestigious annual legal guide that compiles rankings of the nation's best lawyers through research, client interviews and testimony; and she is a Fellow in the College of Labor and Employment Lawyers, a recognition given to labor and employment lawyers in the U.S. who have distinguished themselves by demonstrating the highest professional qualifications and ethical standards.

Admitted to practice in Texas, New York and the District of Columbia, Steinfield is a Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation and the Dallas Bar Foundation, and plays an active role in the ABA's Labor and Employment Law Section. She is a member of the Dallas Bar Association, the Greenhill School Board of Trustees, and the Board of the Anti-Defamation League (Dallas Region).

Cody Towns has joined the firm's litigation team, where he will focus on commercial and employment litigation, including claims of patent/trademark infringement, theft of trade secrets, breach of fiduciary duty, breach of contract, tortius interference and other business litigation matters, including securities industry litigation under FINRA. A graduate of the University of Oklahoma School of Law (with Honors), Towns is an adjunct professor teaching trial advocacy at the Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law. Prior to joining Cox Smith, Cody spent a decade gaining litigation experience at several litigation law firms in Dallas and Oklahoma, where he focused on commercial and employment litigation.

He is admitted to practice law in Texas and Oklahoma and has been repeatedly recognized by Super Lawyers as a Texas Rising Star. He is a member of the Dallas Bar Association.