H. Julian Frachtman is Partner-in-Charge of the firm's Houston office (Zumpano Patricios). Mr. Frachtman is a litigation attorney representing employers, businesses, and individuals in complex labor and employment disputes, commercial litigation, and general civil matters. With more than a decade of experience in state and federal courts, he handles high-exposure matters involving restrictive covenants, discrimination and retaliation claims, executive employment disputes, business torts, and contract litigation.

Mr. Frachtman’s practice combines courtroom advocacy with strategic business counseling. He regularly advises companies on employment policies, workplace investigations, compliance matters, and risk-mitigation strategies designed to reduce litigation exposure and preserve operational continuity. He also provides training for employers, managers, and human resources professionals on discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and leave-related compliance.
In addition to litigation, Mr. Frachtman has significant experience serving as a trusted advisor to business owners and executives across multiple industries, including oilfield services, telecommunications, financial services, manufacturing, healthcare, and hospitality. His work frequently involves guiding companies through the full lifecycle of employment issues—from policy development and employment agreements to investigations, terminations, and restrictive covenant enforcement.

Mr. Frachtman has held leadership roles overseeing litigation teams and managing complex case portfolios, directing strategy from pre-suit investigation through trial, arbitration, mediation, and resolution. Earlier in his career, he founded and operated a boutique litigation and employment law practice, representing startups, small businesses, and established companies while managing all aspects of firm operations and client development.

A native Houstonian and fourth-generation Texan, Mr. Frachtman remains active in the legal community through bar association involvement, professional committees, and mentorship of law students and young attorneys. He also provides ongoing pro bono service as an attorney ad litem and regularly presents continuing legal education programs on federal employment law.

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PRACTICE AREAS 

• Practice Areas

• Labor & Employment Litigation

• Commercial & Business Litigation

• Restrictive Covenants & Trade Secrets

• Workplace Investigations & Compliance

• Employment Policies & Preventive Counseling

• General Civil Litigation

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PUBLICATIONS/MCLE PRESENTATIONS

• 2025 – Tarrant County Bar Association: “FMLA & ADA: What Lawyers and Clients Need to Know” 

• 2023 – 32nd Annual Advanced Employment Law 101: “Employees First – A Primer on Statutory and Common Law Claims”

• 2023 – State Bar Annual Meeting: “FMLA: Notice & Nuance” - Employers’ key duties and responsibilities in determining FMLA notice & eligibility issues, including Non-Medical Qualifying Exigent Circumstances

• 2023 – Norton Rose Fulbright presentation: “First Five & Beyond – a road map for young attorneys.”

• 2020 – “The Do’s and Don’ts of Pregnancy Discrimination Claims 
  - a primer on discrimination & retaliation in the work place”​​

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SELECTED PUBLICATIONS

• National Trial Lawyers Association – 40 Under 40

• Certified Attorney Ad Litem – State of Texas

• Texas Bar College

• Houston Bar Association​