Practice & Industry Areas
Labor and Employment
Litigation Services
When clients are faced with a lawsuit or administrative complaint, the experienced trial attorneys of Gunster’s Labor and Employment practice can provide an aggressive and efficient defense. In addition, Gunster’s employment attorneys have the experience and talent necessary to enforce a company’s rights relating to its former employees, and to protect its confidential and trade-secret information.
Our trial attorneys regularly represent clients in state and federal courts and in administrative proceedings regarding labor and employment matters.
Service Areas
- Disability claims and workplace accommodation complaints
- Discrimination claims under federal and state laws
- Employee theft cases
- Employment contract and benefit disputes
- Fair Labor Standards Act claims (minimum wage and overtime) and claims under Florida’s Minimum Wage Law
- Family and Medical Leave Act claims
- Noncompetition, nonsolicitation and confidentiality agreement claims
- Private and public whistleblower claims
- Representation in administrative proceedings before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Florida Commission on Human Relations (FCHR), and the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB)
- Wrongful discharge claims
Counseling Services
Gunster’s Labor and Employment practice is comprised of experienced attorneys who have spent decades serving as our clients’ trusted advisers in labor and employment matters. Today’s workplace is more regulated than at any time in history. Our attorneys pride themselves on giving practical, trial proven, legal advice that enables clients to achieve their business objectives and remedy substandard employee performance. At the same time, Gunster’s counselors are experienced trial lawyers who understand how to avoid the mistakes that often lead to litigation.
Our attorneys implement proactive strategies designed to provide cost-effective and practical solutions to clients’ labor and employment problems. We offer counseling and training for management and human resources employees; continuing education through seminars and Client Alert bulletins announcing recent changes to laws; and advice and drafting assistance with policies and procedures.
Service Areas
- Compliance with all local, state, and federal employment laws and regulations
- Employee layoffs and terminations, reductions in workforce and plant closings
- Pre-employment screening and drug-free workplace programs
- Wage and Hour investigations and Department of Labor audits
- Drafting of employment contracts, noncompetition, nonsolicitation and confidentiality agreements
- Employee benefits assistance
- Employee handbooks and workplace policies
- Protection of trade secrets and other confidential business information
- Training regarding discrimination and sexual harassment prevention
- Union avoidance training and labor negotiations
Gunster’s counselors partner with clients’ management teams and human resources departments in making crucial employment decisions, and in creating compliance and claim avoidance strategies and policies to prevent future disputes or litigation. Such workable outcomes can measurably contribute to an organization’s bottom line.