Labor & Employment

Fort Lauderdale Employment Lawyer for Labor and Employment Litigation Matters

Disputes between employers and employees can be costly and highly disruptive. When conflicts arise in the workplace, the labor and employment attorneys at Olive Judd provide skilled advice and legal defense to employers of all sizes and in all industries. Recognizing that ongoing employment disputes can seriously harm a company’s reputation and destroy employee morale, we work closely with our clients in developing cost-effective strategies to resolve these matters. No matter what issues your business is facing, any Fort Lauderdale employment lawyer at our firm can help you find a solution. If you’d like to schedule a consultation to discuss how we can serve your employment needs, call us at (954) 334-2250 or visit us online to schedule a consultation with one of our experienced labor and employment lawyers. 

Types of Cases Our Employment Law Firm Handles 

Our legal team is widely recognized for our ability to handle complex and sophisticated employment disputes, including class action labor and employment claims. Our lawyers counsel and vigorously defend clients dealing with all types of workforce issues, such as:

• Executive compensation agreements
• Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)
• Labor certification
• Title VII
• Title IX
• Civil rights violations
• Discrimination (gender, race, age, disability, national origin, and religion)
• Sexual harassment
• Wrongful termination
• Wage and overtime claims
• Department of Labor investigations
• Safety and health standards
• Class action claims
• Employment contract matters

These statutes create an environment that is ripe for claims to be brought against employers. Understanding the law is critical to protecting yourself. We work with our clients to develop practices and procedures designed to prevent claims, but as experienced employment litigators, your Fort Lauderdale employment lawyer will be well equipped to defend you against any claims you may face. 

Federal Employment Laws

Most labor and employment issues arise under federal law. We can help ensure that your business’s employment practices are in compliance with all federal laws and regulations, as well as defend your company against any federal employment claims that may arise. Our employment lawyers have extensive experience handling issues under the following federal laws: 

• The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA): The FLSA sets the mandatory minimum wage. States can elect to require a higher minimum wage, but unless otherwise required by state law, employers must pay the federal minimum wage. While this sounds straightforward, it can be more complex than you think.  
• The Occupational Safety & Health Act (OSHA): OSHA mandates industry-specific safety standards for employers. Failure to comply can result in penalties and can also be used as evidence against your company in the event of an accident.  
• Title VII and Title IX of The Civil Rights Act of 1964: The Civil Rights Acts prohibits employers from discriminating against employees on the basis of gender, ethnicity, race, religion, or nationality. Discrimination claims are fairly common – a claim could be brought against your company even if you did not intend to act in a discriminatory manner. 
• The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA): The FMLA protects employee’s jobs in the event of serious health or medical issues. The FMLA requires employers with at least 50 employees to provide up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave for illness and related obligations.

These statutes provide the basis of most of the employment claims you will face. Our Fort Lauderdale employment lawyer understands the complexities of these statutes and knows how to formulate an effective defense against any claim that may arise. 

Florida’s Employment Laws

Generally speaking, Florida law does follow federal law, but some Florida laws have stricter requirements for employers. For example, Florida’s laws provide greater protection against discrimination, a higher minimum wage, and longer continuation coverage for health care. Here are some of the key differences between Florida law and federal law that you should be familiar with: 

• The minimum wage mandated by Florida law is $8.46 per hour, compared to the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour. 
• In addition to all of the classes protected by federal law, it is illegal in Florida to discriminate based on marital status, or the presence of the sickle cell trait or HIV. 
• For businesses with at least 50 employees, you are required by Florida law to give employees up to three days off to handle matters related to domestic violence. 

When it comes to employment issues, federal and state law often overlap in ways that are complicated and confusing. Because of the potential liabilities at stake, you do not want to pursue a course of action based on a misunderstanding of what is required or prohibited by state of federal law. Our team knows both federal and Florida law and how they apply to your business operations.  

Discrimination Claims Handled by Our Fort Lauderdale Employment Lawyers

Discrimination claims are among the most common claims that employer’s face. Under both Florida and federal law, it is illegal to discriminate against employees or applicants on the following bases: 

• Sex
• Race
• Religion
• Age
• National origin
• Color
• Disability
• Citizenship status

Florida state law does not prohibit discrimination the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. However, several cities and counties in Florida do prohibit discrimination for those reasons. As a result, it’s important to speak with a Fort Lauderdale employment lawyer who knows the laws in the city or county where your business is located or operates. 

Our Approach

When an employment lawyer at our firm handles a case, the attorney assembles a legal team focused on minimizing our client’s exposure and protecting their important business interests. While we are able to successfully resolve a large portion of “right to sue” letters at the EEOC level prior to the case entering the federal court system, our lawyers are seasoned trial attorneys who know how to effectively defend employment claims before judges, juries, and administrative bodies. Whether we are taking a high-stakes labor and employment claim to court, arbitration, or mediation, we work to develop strategies that best present our client’s position and fully expose the weaknesses in our opponents’ cases.

Contact a Fort Lauderdale Employment Lawyer at Olive Judd

Whether you own a small, family-run business, or manage a large corporation that employs hundreds of thousands of people, you need experienced legal counsel to navigate the employment law landscape. From providing guidance on day-to-day matters to defending you against high-stakes employment claims, every Fort Lauderdale employment lawyer at our firm has the experience, knowledge, and skill you need to keep your business moving forward. We offer our business clients a broad array of cost-effective legal services tailored to meet their unique needs. If you’re interested in learning more about our firm, call us at (954) 334-2250 or complete our online contact form to schedule a consultation with one of our Fort Lauderdale labor and employment attorneys.