Best Miami, Florida Litigation - Labor and Employment Lawyers
Biographical Info For more than thirty years, I have dedicated my legal career to fighting for victims of sexual harassment and discrimination. I founded the Derek Smith Law Group in 1995. Today, with offices in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Miami, and Washington, D.C., we are not just another firm. We are a beacon of hope for people who have faced injustice in the workplace. My passion for this work comes from understanding the profound impact sexual harassm...
Juan Carlos Varela is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Litigation - Labor and Employment. Juan Carlos practices law in Miami, Florida Best Lawyers has recognized Juan Carlos Varela since 2018. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Juan Carlos Varela is held by other lawyers.
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...
An accomplished trial lawyer, Elizabeth Rodriguez has represented clients across a broad range of industries in jury and non-jury trials, arbitrations, mediations and other dispute-resolution settings. In particular, she has extensive experience in employment law cases, having defended over 300 employment and civil rights lawsuits to conclusion. Elizabeth has also handled more than 100 appeals in state and federal courts and even appeared before the United States Supreme Court. Elizabeth has ...
Kelly-Ann Gibbs Cartwright practices in the area of general civil and commercial litigation, with an emphasis on employment discrimination, civil rights, business torts and labor law. Ms. Cartwright also has experience in the litigation of cases involving trade secrets, defamation, fraud, civil theft, breach of fiduciary duty, breach of contract and unfair competition. Her employment and labor practice involves representation of clients before federal, state and local administrative agencies,...
Edward Diaz is in the firm's Litigation Section and primarily practices in the areas of Labor and Employment law. Mr. Diaz has represented numerous employers in non-compete cases and in litigation of employment discrimination claims before federal and state courts, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Florida Commission on Human Relations. Mr. Diaz provides counsel to employers on a wide range of issues, including management training, employment audits, drafting employment cont...
Arturo Ross has extensive experience defending management in all aspects of labor and employment law. He focuses much of his practice on union-related matters, including: Collective bargaining Labor arbitrations Election campaigns Proceedings before the National Labor Relations Board He also defends clients in connection with matters involving occupational safety and health standards, wage and hour laws and Title VII discrimination claims. Additionally, Arturo counsels employers on a daily ba...
Patrick G. DeBlasio represents employers in all aspects of employment litigation, including claims arising under: Title VII The Age Discrimination in Employment Act The Americans with Disabilities Act Other employment laws He also has significant experience defending employers in single plaintiff and collective actions under the Fair Labor Standards Act; conducting wage and hour audits; handling restrictive covenants; and representing employers in proceedings before the Department of Labor an...
Miguel Morel is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Employment Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Miguel practices law in Miami, Florida Best Lawyers has recognized Miguel Morel since 2026. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Miguel Morel is held by other lawyers.
Marilyn J. Holifield practices in the general litigation area, with a specific emphasis on representing corporate clients. Her practice includes employment, business litigation, corporate governance, trade secrets, covenants-not-to-compete, class action and intellectual property litigation. Ms. Holifield has represented corporate clients as lead counsel in jury and nonjury trials, arbitrations and administrative proceedings. Ms. Holifield practices employment law and was named by Black Enterp...
Jana M. Leichter is a partner in the firm’s Miami and West Palm Beach offices. Ms. Leichter’s practice focuses on defending employers at the administrative, trial, and appellate levels in all aspects of employment litigation, including lawsuits alleging discrimination, harassment and retaliation in violation of federal, state and local laws, as well as equal pay claims, unemployment compensation, workers' compensation retaliation, whistleblower, and wrongful termination. Ms. Leich...
Patrick F. Martin focuses his practice on representing employers of all sizes and in all industries in myriad employment matters before state and federal courts, as well as administrative agencies such as the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Florida Commission on Human Relations. Additionally, Patrick counsels employers on preventive strategies for minimizing potential litigation and on the development of polices for the promotion of constructive employee relations. He also adv...
A skilled litigator with over 25 years of trial experience, Courtney B. Wilson has tried employment cases before judges, juries and arbitrators throughout Florida, appearing in all state and federal trial courts and in administrative proceedings. In addition, he has handled multiple cases in the United States Supreme Court, the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals, and state appellate courts throughout Florida. Courtney’s expertise includes: Prosecuting and defending non-compete, unfair co...
Reynaldo Velazquez focuses his practice on working with claims management companies and employment practices liability insurance companies to defend employers against discrimination, harassment, and retaliation claims. In this regard Rey directly handles or oversees litigation throughout the country that involves many different industries, including fire departments, hospice care facilities, and many other private and public sector entities. Rey also spends a considerable amount of time defen...
Ena T. Diaz is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Litigation - Labor and Employment. Ena T. practices law in Miami, Florida Best Lawyers has recognized Ena T. Diaz since 2015. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Ena T. Diaz is held by other lawyers.
