Izzy Anderson

Ms. Anderson is Of Counsel in the Houston office.  Ms. Anderson’s experience results from her roles as in-house counsel for the largest public school district and one of the largest community colleges in Texas.  Her practice includes assisting institutions with matters involving board governance, open government laws, policy development, contract negotiations, employment law, regulatory compliance, and elections.

As a school attorney, she handled issues particular to school districts, including special education, grievances, personnel matters, open government issues, contracts, and Office of Civil Rights complaints, as well as Title IX, harassment, discrimination, retaliation and bullying investigations. During her tenure as in-house counsel in higher education, she oversaw compliance operations in addition to her duties as Deputy General Counsel. Within this role Ms. Anderson drafted, revised, developed, and recommended board policies and procedures including administrative regulations. She has worked with accreditation bodies to ensure that the institution meets necessary standards, preparing documentation and coordinating responses to accreditation reviews. As a member of the district’s incident management team and having undergone FEMA’s National Incident Management System training, Ms. Anderson has extensive experience with crisis management efforts, coordinating responses and communication strategies that uphold the institution’s reputation while adhering to legal obligations. Her work as in-house counsel included advising and representing the district in employment matters, including employee complaints, discipline, termination, and training.

Ms. Anderson has also served as a Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO), her executive experience encompasses talent acquisition, payroll, compensation, benefits, organizational development, and employee relations, all underpinned by a robust understanding of labor laws and regulations. As CHRO, she was instrumental in aligning HR strategies with institutional objectives. Her ability to bridge the gap between legal requirements and human resources practices made her a trusted advisor to both legal and operational teams. As a member of the senior executive team, she has played a pivotal role in drafting and revising business continuity plans and critical messages for her institution. Ms. Anderson’s leadership in this capacity contributed significantly to enhancing workplace culture and employee engagement, driving initiatives that resulted in multiple recognitions including national designation as a “Best Place for Working Parents” and a ranking by Forbes as a fourth “Best Place to Work” in Texas.

A graduate of University of Houston Law Center, Ms. Anderson is a member of the American Bar Association and various educational law associations including National Association of College and University Attorneys and the Texas School Law Section. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Rice University.

When she isn’t working, Ms. Anderson enjoys spending time with her husband, Jason, and their two sons, Jaiz and Ian. She is a self-proclaimed coffee aficionado.