In a recent Paraclete Magazine piece for the St. Petersburg Bar Association, Gunster shareholder Jounice Nealy-Brown outlines employer guidance following the First District Court of Appeal’s decision in McDaniels v. State—a ruling which struck down Florida’s open carry ban but preserved gun-free zones and confirmed that private employers may regulate firearms on their premises. In this Q&A, Nealy-Brown discussed what the decision means for the workplace, boundaries on employer authority, and practical steps for compliance and risk management.
Jounice Nealy-Brown focuses on Labor and Employment law, advising clients on litigation matters, including employment discrimination and probate issues. She joined Gunster after serving as a federal judicial law clerk for The Honorable Anthony E. Porcelli and The Honorable Mary S. Scriven, both of the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, Tampa Division. Prior to her legal career, Nealy-Brown worked as a newspaper journalist, sales and marketing executive, and a strategic corporate communications director at the Tampa Bay Times. She is currently serving as the president of the St. Petersburg Bar Association.
