Jenny Young Partner

Jenny Young is a graduate of the University of Texas School of Law in Austin, Texas, where she served on the Texas International Law Journal and as a mentor in the UT Law Mentor Program. Before law school, Jenny earned her B.A. in Criminal Justice, magna cum laude, from the University of Texas at San Antonio, after beginning her studies at the University of Texas at Austin. Her dedication to academic excellence laid the foundation for her impactful legal career.

Prior to joining Vela Wood, Jenny practiced employment, commercial, and product liability litigation for Fortune Global 500 companies at what was then Austin’s oldest and largest law firm. During this time, she built a reputation for delivering strategic, results-oriented counsel. Today, she leads Vela Wood’s Employment Law Practice, advising startups, mid-size companies, and venture-backed enterprises on employment strategy, compliance, and navigating complex legal landscapes, including high-stakes M&A transactions.

In addition to her legal practice, Jenny directs the firm’s non-profit initiative, Vela Wood Forward (VW FWD. VW FWD is dedicated to advancing justice and equal rights for marginalized communities while fostering employee engagement in social change. Under Jenny’s leadership, VW FWD has donated over $250,000 in financial resources and contributed countless volunteer hours to organizations such as Access to Justice, Huston-Tillotson University, Austin Justice Coalition, Caritas of Austin, American Gateways, Youth Revive, and more. She also spearheaded the creation of an LSAT Test Prep Scholarship for Black aspiring attorneys, in partnership with Kaplan Test Prep, to address the underrepresentation of Black lawyers in the United States.

Beyond her work at Vela Wood, Jenny has served on various community boards. Her current board memberships include Issue Voter and Unparalleled Preparatory Academy. Previously, she served with organizations such as Citizen Generation, the Texas Diversity Council of Central Texas Advisory Board, and the Capital Area AIDS Legal Project. Additionally, she has acted as a judge for Notley’s Philanthropitch Austin, supporting innovative solutions to Austin’s most pressing challenges.

Born in Germany to New Orleans natives and raised in San Antonio, Jenny now calls Austin home. However, her passion for travel takes her across the globe. To date, she has visited 60+ countries and territories and six out of seven continents. A certified 200-hour yoga teacher, Jenny finds balance through her yoga practice and maintains a deep appreciation for exploring new cultures and perspectives.

Jenny’s multifaceted career is driven by her commitment to excellence, advocacy, and making a meaningful impact in the lives of her clients and the broader community. Whether providing strategic legal counsel, leading transformative initiatives, or inspiring others through her personal endeavors, Jenny is dedicated to making a difference.

Services

Employment Law Advisory

• Designing and optimizing employment hiring and onboarding processes.
• Drafting and advising on employment documents, contracts, and handbooks.
• Guiding worker classifications and compliance strategies.
• Advising on executive compensation, wages, benefits, overtime, and leave laws.
• Preparing documentation for employee discipline, terminations, and reductions in force.
• Addressing disability accommodations and compliance with reasonable accommodation laws.
• Drafting and enforcing restrictive covenants, including non-compete, non-solicit, non-disparagement, and non-disclosure agreements.
• Structuring employment terms and agreements for founders and c-suite employees in M&A transactions.

Strategic Employment Guidance

• Advising on employment strategies during organizational growth and restructuring.
• Conducting workforce planning and employee classification analyses.
• Supporting employers through complex employee transitions, including mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures.
• Providing guidance on independent contractor relationships and transitioning contractors to employees.

Risk Prevention & Compliance

• Developing and implementing preventative workplace policies.
• Conducting reviews and audits of employee handbooks and employment documentation.
• Performing employment risk assessments and liability analyses for M&A transactions.
• Providing workplace training programs on compliance, anti-harassment, and best practices.

Executive & Key Employee Representation

• Negotiating employment agreements, including compensation packages, equity grants, and benefits.
• Structuring and advising on separation agreements and exit strategies.
• Advising on restrictive covenants, confidentiality obligations, and post-employment agreements.
• Ensuring compliance with non-compete enforceability and other employment-related restrictions.

Administrative Representation & Dispute Resolution

• Responding to wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, and retaliation claims filed with the EEOC or Texas Workforce Commission.
• Advising on and defending wage and hour disputes and audits with the U.S. Department of Labor and Texas Workforce Commission.
• Guiding employers through agency investigations and audits to mitigate liability.

Publications

• “Changes to the Classification of Workers,” International Employment Law Update January 2021, Taylor Vinters (January 28, 2021)