Karen M. Morinelli

Karen M. Morinelli

Tampa, FL recognized lawyers icon Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2012
Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart PC

317 Best Lawyers awards

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Awarded Practice Areas

Employment Law - Management Labor Law - Management

Biography

Karen M. Morinelli is a Shareholder in the Tampa office. As former General Counsel and Vice President of Human Resources, she brings a strong business perspective to both client relations and in her approach to manage client issues.

Ms. Morinelli has managed a corporate legal department and a variety of employment related issues in corporate mergers, acquisitions and divestitures, national class action litigation and managed a successful appeal to the United States Supreme Court. She is a frequent lecturer for both state wide and national employer sponsored organizations on a variety of current labor and employment topics. Her practice includes both traditional labor in the public and private sector as well as employment law.

Ms. Morinelli's traditional labor practice includes negotiating collective bargaining agreements including serving as Chief Negotiator for clients in both the public and private sector. Additionally, she represents management in ULP's, grievance and arbitration hearings and advising clients on preventative strategies with an organized workforce.

Ms. Morinelli also counsels employers in all aspects of labor and employment law including employer/employee relations, litigation and alternative dispute resolution. This includes litigation in both state and federal courts on matters under Title VII, the ADAAA, the ADEA, the FMLA, AAP, NLRA, PELRA, FCRA and local fair employment practice standards.

Ms. Morinelli is listed in the 2013 edition of Best Lawyers in America and is AV Preeminent Rated by Martindale-Hubbell. She earned her J.D. from Stetson University College of Law cum laude in 1989, her M.B.A. from the University of Notre Dame Graduate School of Business in 1985 and her B.A. from LaSalle University, cum laude in 1976.

Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart PC

317 Best Lawyers awards

Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart PC logo

Overview

  • Stetson University, J.D., graduated 1989

  • Florida, The Florida Bar
  • District of Columbia, The District of Columbia Bar

  • American Bar Association - Member
  • Charlotte County Society for Human Resources - Member
  • District of Columbia Bar Association - Member
  • Florida Bar Association - Member
  • Florida Supreme Court Certified Mediator - Mediator
  • Sarasota County Bar Association - Member
  • Society for Human Resource Management - Member
  • St. Petersburg/Clearwater Bar Association - Member
  • U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida - Mediator
  • Florida, The Florida Bar
  • District of Columbia, The District of Columbia Bar
  • American Bar Association - Member
  • Charlotte County Society for Human Resources - Member
  • District of Columbia Bar Association - Member
  • Florida Bar Association - Member
  • Florida Supreme Court Certified Mediator - Mediator
  • Sarasota County Bar Association - Member
  • Society for Human Resource Management - Member
  • St. Petersburg/Clearwater Bar Association - Member
  • U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida - Mediator
  • Stetson University, J.D., graduated 1989

Client Testimonials

Awards & Focus

Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2022 - Labor Law - Management
Named "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers® for:
  • Labor Law - Management, Tampa (2022)
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2026 for work in:
  • Employment Law - Management
  • Labor Law - Management
Awards:
  • AV Peer Review Preeminent Rated by Martindale-Hubbell
  • Florida Academy of Professional Mediators

Additional Information

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Case History

Cases
  • Experience
In addition to representation of employers in collective bargaining, she litigates all aspects of employment law cases in state and federal courts and before administrative agencies. Ms. Morinelli counsels clients on labor and employment matters including Title VII, the ADAAA, the ADEA, the FMLA, AAP, NLRA, PELRA, FCRA and local fair employment practice standards. In addition, she presents seminars and training programs for clients and employer organizations on a variety of employment related topics. She conducts internal investigations of workplace improprieties, including sexual harassment, ethics violations and public sector formal investigations in accordance with state and local laws. Ms. Morinelli drafts employment contracts, severance agreements and settlement agreements, and she advises clients on all aspects of the employment process including hiring, discipline, and terminations.

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