Frequently asked questions
Who the firm works with, what a Discovery Call costs, how fees work after it, and where the firm's practice begins and ends. The answers about your own situation come from the call itself.
Is this something the firm handles?
Who does Lady Law Shield work with?
Lady Law Shield works exclusively with law enforcement officers, first responders, and public employees in employment disputes with their own agencies. That includes police officers, firefighters, EMTs, 911 dispatchers, and corrections officers.
What kinds of workplace problems does the firm handle?
The firm handles wrongful termination, retaliation, discrimination, harassment, Family and Medical Leave Act issues, pregnancy and nursing protections, unpaid wages, severance and separation, contract review, and Brady/Giglio strategy. Each has its own page under What We Do.
How do I know if what is happening to me is illegal or just unfair?
Not every unpleasant interaction or disciplinary action is illegal. The difference usually turns on why it happened and how others in the same position were treated, and sorting that out is what a Discovery Call is for. Until then, write down what happened and who was there, on your own phone or home computer rather than a department device.
I am in a union and have a union attorney. Why would I need my own lawyer?
Union representation covers what the collective bargaining agreement says it covers, and many employment claims against an agency fall outside it. Union interests and an individual officer's interests also do not always line up. The two can work side by side, and a Discovery Call is the place to sort out what each one covers in your situation.
I have been placed on a Brady/Giglio list. Can anything be done?
A disclosure list designation can limit testimony, assignments, and future hiring long after an internal investigation ends, and it gets harder to challenge as time passes. Requesting documentation early and asking in writing whether your name has been forwarded both matter. The Brady/Giglio Strategy page and the related Insights posts cover the first steps.
Can the firm help a federal employee?
Yes. The firm advises law enforcement officers and first responders who work for the federal government. The firm is based in Texas and works with officers across the country on employment matters under federal law. Each engagement is confirmed to fit the officer's situation before work begins.
Does the firm ever represent agencies or departments?
In employment disputes, no. Lady Law Shield works on the officer's side of disputes against their own agencies.
Cost and the Discovery Call
How do I get started?
Every matter starts with a scheduled Discovery Call. The Book a Call form collects what the firm needs to check for conflicts and decide whether it can help, and the call is booked from there.
How much does a Discovery Call cost?
A Discovery Call is $250 for 30 minutes with an attorney. The fee does not include review of documents.
Why does the form ask for my agency's name?
The firm uses it to check for conflicts of interest before it can discuss your situation. That check has to come first, so the field is required.
Is what I write in the form confidential?
Not necessarily. Information submitted through the form may not be protected by privilege or confidentiality rules, so keep the description brief.
Does contacting the firm make me a client?
No. Contacting the firm does not create an attorney-client relationship, which begins only with a signed agreement.
Will my department find out I contacted a lawyer?
The firm does not contact your department or agency about a consultation. What you share on a call stays between you and the firm. The firm cannot control what you tell others, so the simplest protection is to keep the consultation between you and the firm.
Your agency may learn about a matter when a formal filing is made, such as an EEO complaint, an MSPB appeal, or a response to a proposed action, because those filings are served on the agency. Before any filing, the firm will talk with you about the timing and what will be shared.
How are fees handled after a Discovery Call?
The firm uses a flat-fee model. It does not bill by the hour. Here is how the process works after your Discovery Call:
- An attorney at the firm reviews the call and assesses which services your situation requires.
- If the firm can help, you receive a written Scope of Work and Fee Proposal describing the specific services, the fee, and the payment terms.
- You review the proposal and accept it in writing before any retainer is signed or any work begins.
- Once the proposal is accepted, the retainer agreement is signed, and the work described in the proposal begins.
If the firm cannot help with your matter, the attorney will tell you so and, where possible, suggest other resources.
Working with the firm
Who is Bridget Truxillo?
Bridget Truxillo is an attorney, former SWAT and undercover narcotics Deputy Sheriff, and the founder of the Lady Law Shield Law Firm. She combines 30 years of experience in law enforcement, leadership, wellness and legal advocacy to help officers protect their rights and strengthen their well-being.
Why does it matter that Bridget was an officer?
She has been on the officer's side of the interview table. Bridget worked patrol, the Narcotics and Organized Crime Unit, and SWAT as a Florida deputy sheriff before law school, so the firm's work starts from an understanding of the job and of the agency on the other side.
Will I speak with an attorney or with an intake person?
A Discovery Call is time with an attorney, not an intake screener.
Does every matter end in a lawsuit?
No. The firm's approach puts career preservation and officer well-being first. Depending on the situation, that can mean guidance on how to report or document a problem, long-term legal support, or a claim against the agency itself.
Can I learn more before I call?
Yes. The Insights section covers documenting and reporting problems, internal investigations, and Brady/Giglio lists, and the Lady Law Shield Field Guide newsletter sends practical guidance by email.
Scope, location and deadlines
Does the firm work with officers outside Texas?
Lady Law Shield is a Texas practice based in Houston, and it works with officers across the country on employment matters under federal law.
Is there a deadline to act?
Yes, and some are short. Federal and state filing deadlines for workplace claims start running on the date something happens, and they vary by claim and by state. Contact counsel as soon as something happens rather than waiting to see how it plays out.
Is an EEOC complaint confidential?
Not in the way most officers hope. The investigation is not public record, but the complaint goes to the employer. The Insights post on EEOC confidentiality covers what that means in practice.
Does the firm handle criminal matters?
No. The firm's practice is employment law for law enforcement officers and first responders, including retaliation, discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination, and related disciplinary matters. The firm does not represent clients in criminal cases. If you are facing criminal charges, contact a criminal defense attorney in your area. If you have questions about how criminal case disclosures could affect your job, the firm can discuss the employment consequences during a Discovery Call.
Does the firm handle workers' compensation claims?
Workers' compensation is not a practice area the firm currently offers. If you have a workers' compensation question, contact the firm for a Discovery Call, and the attorney will tell you whether the firm can help or where to turn for referral.
Still have a question?
The ones about your own situation are what a Discovery Call is for: 30 minutes with an attorney, $250.
This page is general information, not legal advice. Laws and department procedures vary, and every situation is different. Speak with an attorney about yours.
© 2026 Truxillo Law Firm PLLC, d/b/a Lady Law Shield. Bridget Truxillo is responsible for this site's content. Primary practice location, Houston, Texas. Attorney advertising. General information, not legal advice. Contacting the firm does not create an attorney-client relationship, which begins only with a signed agreement. Testimonials reflect individual client experience, and results vary. A prospective client may not obtain the same or similar results. The firm is based in Texas and works with officers across the country on employment matters.