Best Lawyers in Florida, United States for Litigation - Labor and Employment

Melissa A. Dearing is a partner with Rivkin Radler LLP, based in Jacksonville, Florida, and a member of the firm’s Immigration Practice Group. She advises employers on navigating nonimmigrant and immigrant visa processes in support of their workforce needs, with a focus on compliance and strategic planning. Her practice includes representing employers in Employment Law – Management matters related to workforce mobility, as well as Litigation – Labor and Employment issues tha...

Reed Russell practices in the area of labor and employment focusing on representing employers in wage and hour and employment discrimination law, with an emphasis on collective and class action litigation, other complex litigation and strategic advice. He also represents employers in claims raising equal employment opportunity issues, including claims of single-plaintiff, multi-plaintiff, or class discrimination, and provides advice on employment practices, including through statistical analy...

Kelly Holbrook is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Employment Law - Individuals, Employment Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Kelly, who practices law in Tampa, Florida, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Kelly is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Emily Chase-Sosnoff is a principal in the Tampa office of Jackson Lewis P.C. Emily is committed to understanding her clients’ unique business needs in order to help owners, managers, and human resources professionals navigate issues that arise in all stages of the employer/employee relationship. Her experience includes conducting investigations, drafting policies and contracts, and guiding clients through the day-to-day challenges of managing a dynamic workforce. She also helps multi-st...

Joan M. Vecchioli joined Johnson Pope in 1986 upon graduating with honors from Stetson University College of Law, where she was a member of the Law Review and competed on the Moot Court Board. She received her bachelor’s degree in economics from the College of William and Mary. Since joining the firm, Joan has gained experience in the areas of commercial litigation, commercial real estate transactions, education, and labor and employment law. Currently, her practice focuses on labor and...

Jennifer V. Ruiz is a Partner in the firm’s Miami office and practices in the areas of General Civil Litigation, Employment and Labor, Condominium and Homeowners’ Association, Civil Rights, Directors and Officers Liability, and Professional Malpractice for the firm. She practices in state and federal courts, at both trial and appellate levels. Mrs. Ruiz Co-Chairs the firm’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee and Chairs the Committee’s affinity group: CSK WIN – Wom...

Jim Polkinghorn is a partner in the Fort Lauderdale office and heads the litigation practice there. He is an experienced trial attorney, having tried more than thirty cases to juries in state and federal courts throughout the state of Florida and elsewhere in the United States. Jim has extensive experience litigating cases of all levels of complexity, from single-plaintiff discrimination claims to multi-party class and collective actions arising under state and federal labor and employment la...

Louis D. Wilson is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Louis D., who practices law in Melbourne, Florida, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Louis D. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

David P. Steffen has represented clients in both state and federal courts, before the Florida Commission on Human Relations, the EEOC, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division, and the NLRB. He has also advised clients on ways to manage their Workers’ Compensation claims and how to properly enforce employment policies. David regularly assists clients on preemptive strategies to limit their future exposure. Before joining C...

Paul F. Penichet is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Paul F., who practices law in Miami, Florida, has been recognized since 2022. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Paul F. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Kristyne Kennedy is an accomplished civil litigation attorney with extensive experience practicing employment law, including litigation, trial experience and providing clients with legal advice and counseling. Ms. Kennedy’s practice is primarily devoted to employment litigation, with experience litigating issues such as employment discrimination, sexual harassment, retaliation, benefits, whistleblower, overtime and unpaid wages, leave and disability issues, employment contracts, workpla...

Jennifer Monrose Moore is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Jennifer Monrose, who practices law in Tampa, Florida, has been recognized since 2020. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jennifer Monrose is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Lara J. Peppard is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Lara J., who practices law in Tampa, Florida, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Lara J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Arlene K. Kline is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Individuals, Employment Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Arlene K., who practices law in West Palm Beach, Florida, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Arlene K. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Dennis McClelland is a board certified labor and employment Lawyer who has practiced exclusively in the area of labor and employment for over 23 years. Dennis represents employers in civil court litigation, arbitrations and administrative proceedings regarding claims involving wage and hour, employment discrimination, family and medical leave, union-management relations, employee benefits, and various employment-related torts. In particular, he has extensive experience representing companies ...

Ignacio J. Garcia is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Ignacio J., who practices law in Tampa, Florida, has been recognized since 2022. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Ignacio J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.