Overview

E. Phileda Tennant, a graduate of Harvard Law School, Texas native and fourth generation Houstonian, is a creative employment litigator and social advisor.

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Experience Highlights

  • Advising publicly and privately traded companies regarding supplier or vendor codes of conduct

  • Obtaining TROs enforcing non-competition, non-solicitation and non-disclosure agreements, as well as common law trade secret protections

  • Conducting numerous DEI or EEO investigations, inclusive of allegations of sexual harassment or sex-based discrimination, on behalf of public and private companies

  • Defending against Sarbanes-Oxley whistleblower claims in federal court and before federal agencies

  • Defense of industrial employer against citations and subpoenas brought by federal OSHA, Cal OSHA, Kentucky OSHA, and Nevada OSHA

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Credentials

Education

  • Harvard Law School, J.D., 2014
  • Brown University, B.A. magna cum laude, Political Science, 2011 (Phi Beta Kappa)

Admissions

  • Texas
  • New York
  • Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals
  • U.S. District Court for the Southern, Eastern, Western, and Northern Districts of Texas

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Recognitions

  • The Best Lawyers in America© (BL Rankings, LLC), “Ones to Watch,” Litigation–Labor and Employment (Houston), 2022–2024
Insights

Client Alerts

Governance & Sustainability Roundup – June 17, 2026

Welcome to our Governance & Sustainability Roundup — Our regular briefing that gives a quick overview on what has recently …

June 17, 2026

June 17, 2026 • 10-minute read

Client Alerts

Trump Administration Executive Order “Addressing DEI Discrimination by Federal Contractors” Highlights False Claims Act Risks and Other Consequences

On March 26, 2026, President Trump issued Executive Order (“EO”) 14398, titled Addressing DEI Discrimination by Federal Contractors, directing federal …

April 6, 2026

April 6, 2026 • 5-minute read

Client Alerts

Supreme Court Sides with Heterosexual Woman: Majority Plaintiffs and Minority Group Plaintiffs Alike Need the Same Evidence of Discrimination

On June 5, 2025—in the midst of heightened scrutiny of diversity, equity, and inclusion (“DEI”) initiatives triggered by executive orders issued by President Trump as well as various federal agency guidance—the Supreme Court unanimously rejected the heightened “background circumstances” requirement imposed on Marlean Ames, a heterosexual woman who filed a gender and sexual orientation discrimination claim against her employer, the Ohio Department of Youth Services. The decision, as projected, confirms that a majority-group plaintiff is not required to proffer more evidence of discrimination than a non-majority-group plaintiff in order to state a prima facie claim under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (“Title VII”).

June 23, 2025

June 23, 2025 • 3-minute read

The Supreme Court “Finally” Grants Review of LGBTQ Title VII Cases Background Decorative Image

Client Alerts

Justice Department’s “Civil Rights Fraud Initiative” Increases False Claims Act Risks Related to Alleged Discrimination

On May 19, 2025, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche issued a memorandum announcing the creation of the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Civil Rights Fraud Initiative (the Initiative), which directs DOJ attorneys to utilize the False Claims Act (FCA), 31 U.S.C. § 3729 et seq., to combat knowing violations of civil rights law and the false certification of compliance with such laws by recipients of federal funds such as educational institutions and federal contractors.

June 11, 2025 • V&E False Claims Act Update Published by Of Counsel, August 2025. Copyright Wolters Kluwer.

June 11, 2025 • 6-minute read

AOL - False Claims Lit

Client Alerts

Vinson & Elkins’ Quarterly Governance and Sustainability Updates – Summer 2025

Welcome to Vinson & Elkins’ Governance and Sustainability Updates. Each quarter, our aim is to provide insights into notable developments …

June 9, 2025 • V&E Governance & Sustainability Update

June 9, 2025 • 1-minute read

News & Achievements