Michael G. "Mike" Prendergast

Michael G. "Mike" Prendergast


FordHarrison

Recognized since 2009

Jacksonville, Florida

Practice Areas

Employment Law - Management

Labor Law - Management

Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2024 - Employment Law - Management Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2024 - Labor Law - Management
Navigate to map location for Michael G. "Mike" Prendergast
Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2024 - Employment Law - Management Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2024 - Labor Law - Management Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2022 - Labor Law - Management Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2020 - Employment Law - Management Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2017 - Labor Law - Management
Spinning circle Big letter B

Mike Prendergast concentrates his practice on providing representation and counsel to management in the private and public sector in matters related to employment law.

He routinely represents employers in employment litigation in state and federal court and before various administrative agencies. Providing preventive advice is also a significant focus for Mike, and he assists clients in resolving and avoiding employment law issues by developing practical workplace solutions to comply with the myriad of federal and state employment laws and regulations.

Mike has experience representing clients in a broad range of industries including construction, transportation, shipyards, paper and paper products, automotive, healthcare, food distribution, grocery and beverage. He has advised these clients in issues relating to union avoidance, collective bargaining, arbitration, employment discrimination, sexual and other forms of harassment, disability issues, affirmative action, family and medical leave, minimum wage, overtime and child labor laws, reductions in force (including employee notification requirements), non-compete, confidentiality and trade secret issues, public and private sector whistleblower claims, workplace safety and health, and various work-related constitutional and common law claims.

Mike also advises government contractor clients in preparing and updating of affirmative action programs and in responding to Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) desk audits. He has also represented employers in OFCCP investigations and has defended employers in OFCCP claims seeking class-wide relief.

In addition to providing employment law counsel, Mike is adept at navigating the complex legal issues associated with labor relations. He regularly conducts training programs to help employers remain union-free and has represented clients before the NLRB and the Florida Public Employee Relations Commission. Mike has represented both private and public sector clients in collective bargaining and has assisted private sector clients in responding to strikes and strike-related violence. He also has experience advising public sector clients regarding the State of Florida’s impasse procedures.

Mike has a breadth of experience in occupational safety and health regulations and has represented employers at OSHA inspections. He has also assisted employers in responding to citations from OSHA and has defended employers in administrative litigation before the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. Mike's experience with OSHA cases includes cases which involved workplace fatalities and attempts by OSHA to impose substantial fines and mitigation obligations on employers accused of willful violations.

Mike's public sector experience includes defending clients facing equal protection, free speech, due process and political patronage claims and has assisted public officials who were sued in their individual capacities in avoiding liability based on qualified or absolute immunity. He has also represented clients in claims filed with the Florida Commission on Ethics and in investigations by the governor's office and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

https://www.fordharrison.com/MichaelPrendergast

Location
  • 225 Water Street, Suite 710
    Jacksonville, FL 32202
Education
  • University of Florida, BS
Bar Admissions
  • Florida, The Florida Bar
Affiliations
  • American Bar Association - Member
  • Federal Bar Association - Member
  • Jacksonville Bar Association - Member
  • Jacksonville Urban League - Member
  • Phi Beta Kappa - Member
  • Rotary Club of West Jacksonville - Member
  • United Way of Northeast Florida - Member
  • University of Florida, Department of Psychology Advisory Board - Member

FordHarrison
Headquarters: Atlanta, Georgia

62 The Best Lawyers in America® awards

32 Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America awards

Best Law Firms Badge Visit Website View Firm Profile

Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2024 - Employment Law - Management Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2024 - Labor Law - Management Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2022 - Labor Law - Management Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2020 - Employment Law - Management Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2017 - Labor Law - Management
Named "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers® for:
  • Employment Law - Management, Jacksonville (2024)
  • Labor Law - Management, Jacksonville (2024)
  • Labor Law - Management, Jacksonville (2022)
  • Employment Law - Management, Jacksonville (2020)
  • Labor Law - Management, Jacksonville (2017)
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2024 for work in:
  • Employment Law - Management
  • Labor Law - Management
Special Focus:
  • Civil Rights
  • COVID-19
  • Defense
  • Harassment
  • Litigation
  • Management
  • OSHA
  • Public and Private Sectors
  • Title VII Litigation
  • Wage-Hour Law
Awards:
  • Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated
  • Recognized by Jacksonville Magazine as one of the "250 Best Lawyers of 2010" in Employment and Labor Law
  • Jacksonville's Top Lawyers, Litigation, 904 Magazine, 2012

Spinning circle Big letter B

Spinning circle Big letter B

Navigating OSHA's New COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standard


Navigating OSHA's New COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standard

Photo of Michael G. Prendergast
Best Lawyers logo

Michael G.

Prendergast

OSHA Withdraws COVID-19 Shot-Or-Test Emergency Rule


OSHA Withdraws COVID-19 Shot-Or-Test Emergency Rule

Photo of Michael G. Prendergast
Best Lawyers logo

Michael G.

Prendergast

Your browser is not fully compatible with our automatic printer friendly formatting.

Please use the print button to print this profile page.

Spinning circle Big letter B