Jacksonville Employment Lawyers
Workplace disputes can affect your income, your career, and your sense of security. An experienced employment attorney in Jacksonville, FL can help you understand your legal rights and decide how to move forward.
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Award Winning Employment Attorneys in Jacksonville
Cantrell Schuette represents both employees and employers across Jacksonville and Northeast Florida in a wide range of employment law matters.
From discrimination and wrongful termination to wage claims and non-compete disputes, our Jacksonville employment lawyers bring courtroom experience and a practical approach to every matter. Whether you are a worker whose rights were violated or a business seeking to stay compliant, our legal team is ready to help.
Cantrell Schuette combines national legal experience with a deep understanding of Florida employment law and workplace disputes. Because our legal team represents both employees and employers, we understand how the other side evaluates a case, which informs a stronger strategy for yours.
Employment Law Services for Jacksonville, FL Workers and Employers
Employment in Florida is shaped by federal and state law, and the rules are not always intuitive. Cantrell Schuette provides employment law legal services to workers and companies on both sides of the employment relationship, which gives our attorneys insight into how each dispute is likely to unfold. We also help clients address legal challenges and advise on HR compliance to reduce risk.
Issues We Cover
Our practice covers the issues Jacksonville workers and businesses face most often:
- Workplace discrimination, harassment, and retaliation claims
- Wrongful termination, breach of an employment contract, and drafting and litigating agreements that govern employment terms
- Wage and hour disputes, including unpaid wages and overtime
- Unpaid commissions and bonuses, including executive compensation packages
- Non-compete and non-solicit restrictions and other restrictive covenants
- Severance agreement review before you sign
- Family and Medical Leave Act interference and retaliation
Your Rights Under Federal and Florida Employment Law
Florida is an at-will employment state. An employer can usually end the working relationship for any reason that is not unlawful, and an employee can leave at any time. At-will status does not permit illegal conduct, and several laws still protect workers, including against wrongful termination that breaks the law or breaches a contract. These matters are evaluated under federal regulations such as the FLSA, FMLA, and ADA, along with Florida law.
Key Protections
Key protections include:
- The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) sets federal minimum wage and overtime standards for most employees.
- Title VII, along with the Florida Civil Rights Act, prohibits employment discrimination and protects against firing based on race, gender, age, or other protected characteristics.
- The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) gives eligible employees job-protected leave for qualifying medical and family reasons.
- The Americans with Disabilities Act and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act protect workers with disabilities and workers age 40 and older.
- Anti-retaliation provisions protect employees who report violations or take part in an investigation.
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) enforces many of these laws, prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, and disability. Discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity is treated as sex discrimination under federal law. Florida workers may also file with the Florida Commission on Human Relations, and we can represent clients before these agencies.
Workplace Issues Our Jacksonville Employment Lawyers Handle
Many workers are unsure whether their situation rises to a legal issue or claim. Our Jacksonville employment lawyers assist clients across the Jacksonville area by reviewing the facts, explaining your options, and outlining the next steps.
Common Issues
You may benefit from speaking with an employment attorney if any of the following apply:
- You were fired shortly after reporting harassment, discrimination, or illegal activity, which may involve whistleblower retaliation protected by law.
- You were treated differently than coworkers because of a protected characteristic such as race, gender, age, religion, or disability.
- Your employer failed to pay overtime, commissions, or other wages you earned.
- You were asked to sign a severance, non-compete, or non-solicit agreement you do not fully understand.
- You were denied leave you were entitled to, or faced demotion or other adverse action after requesting FMLA leave or raising a concern.
Not every workplace conflict is a legal violation. A measured review helps you understand whether you have employment law cases worth pursuing and when legal action is warranted.
Employment Discrimination, Harassment, and Hostile Work Environment Claims
Employment discrimination happens when an employer treats a worker unfairly because of a protected characteristic. It can appear in hiring, pay, promotions, discipline, or termination, and is prohibited under federal and Florida law.
Common Claims
Harassment becomes unlawful when it is severe or pervasive enough to create a hostile work environment. An employer that knows about harassment and fails to address it may be held responsible. Common claims include:
- Racial discrimination in pay, assignments, or advancement
- Sexual harassment, including unwelcome advances or a hostile work environment
- Discrimination based on gender, religion, national origin, age, or disability
- Retaliation against an employee who reported discrimination or harassment
If you reported workplace discrimination and faced consequences, you may have a separate retaliation claim. Our legal counsel can evaluate both the underlying conduct and any retaliation that followed.
Non-Compete and Non-Solicit Agreements in Florida
Florida enforces non-compete and non-solicit agreements when they protect a legitimate business interest and are reasonable in time, area, and scope. Restrictive covenants that reach too far may not hold up, but the analysis turns on the specific terms.
Before you sign, or before you change jobs, it helps to understand what a restrictive covenant actually restricts. Our Jacksonville attorneys review non-compete and non-solicit agreements for employees weighing a new role and businesses protecting trade secrets and client relationships.
What Our Clients Say
Jacksonville Employment Law Firm
When you work with our firm, you can expect:
- Direct access to an experienced employment attorney, with clear communication and attention to your legal needs throughout the matter
- Experienced legal representation in negotiation, mediation, and litigation in state and federal court, from discovery motions through arguments before judges and juries
- Experience across discrimination, wage and hour, business litigation, and contract matters
- A measured, professional approach without unnecessary escalation
Every new client receives a candid assessment of their matter. Many disputes resolve through negotiation or mediation, while others proceed to the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida, which includes the Jacksonville Division.
Speak With an Experienced Attorney Today
Workplace disputes are easier to navigate with early legal assistance. Cantrell Schuette represents employees and employers throughout Jacksonville and Northeast Florida in employment law matters of every kind, and our employment lawyers can lead formal legal procedures when informal resolution is not enough.
Contact Cantrell Schuette today at (877) 858‑6868 or email coordinator@lawcantrell.com to schedule a consultation with an employment attorney in Jacksonville who understands this market inside and out.
Jacksonville Employment FAQs
Contact us 24/7.
How much is an employment lawyer in Florida?
The cost depends on the type of matter and the fee arrangement. Employment cases may be handled hourly, on a flat fee, or through other arrangements depending on the facts. Cantrell Schuette will explain the fee structure that applies to your matter during an initial consultation, which is also a chance to evaluate the attorney’s communication style, case strategy, and reputation.
Can you sue your employer in Florida for unfair treatment?
Not all unfair treatment is illegal. You can sue an employer when the treatment violates a specific law, such as discrimination based on a protected characteristic, retaliation for protected activity, or a failure to pay wages you earned. Florida is an at-will state with important exceptions for breach of contract, discrimination, and whistleblower retaliation. A Jacksonville employment lawyer can review whether your situation meets that standard. Employees who believe they were wrongfully terminated may file a complaint with the EEOC or pursue legal action against their employer.
What are the odds of winning an employment lawsuit?
Outcomes vary and depend on the facts, the evidence, and the applicable law. No attorney can guarantee a result. Strong documentation, timely action, and clear legal grounds all improve your position, which is why an early case review matters.
How expensive is it to sue your employer?
Costs depend on the complexity of the claim and how far the case proceeds. Many employment statutes let a prevailing employee recover attorney fees and costs, which can offset the expense. Wage claims may seek unpaid overtime and other earned wages. Wage theft can include minimum wage violations or misclassifying workers as independent contractors, and employees may file with the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity or pursue legal action. Under Florida Statute Section 448.08, a court may award attorney fees in certain unpaid wage actions.