Lakeland Employment Lawyer

Trusted employment law attorneys with over 50 years of combined experience.

If you’re dealing with a workplace issue in Lakeland, FL, whether it’s discrimination, wrongful termination, retaliation, or a dispute over wages, having the right attorney matters. Employment law involves multiple overlapping federal and state statutes, each with its own procedural requirements. Filing deadlines are embedded in nearly every one of them, and a missed deadline can permanently eliminate your ability to bring a claim.

Hoyer Law Group, PLLC has more than 50 years of combined experience handling employment law matters for both employees and employers across Florida. Our Lakeland, FL employment lawyer has secured jury verdicts, negotiated settlements, and dismissed claims across a range of workplace disputes. We serve clients throughout Polk County and Central Florida. If your rights have been violated at work, or you’re an employer navigating a complex personnel situation, reach out to schedule a consultation.

Employment Lawyer Lakeland, FL

An employment lawyer handles disputes and legal issues arising out of the relationship between employers and employees. It includes federal statutes like Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Fair Labor Standards Act, and the Family and Medical Leave Act. It also includes Florida-specific protections under the Florida Civil Rights Act, codified in Chapter 760 of the Florida Statutes.

These cases often involve overlapping laws, administrative filing requirements with agencies like the EEOC or the Florida Commission on Human Relations, and tight deadlines that can bar a claim if missed. An employment attorney in Lakeland helps clients understand which laws apply, what steps to take first, and how to build a case that holds up.

Types of Employment Law Cases We Handle in Lakeland

Employment disputes come in many forms. Some start with a single conversation. Others develop over months before the person affected realizes what’s happening to them is illegal. Below are the types of cases our firm handles for clients in Lakeland.

• Wrongful termination. Florida is an at-will employment state, meaning employers can fire employees for almost any reason. Terminations that violate anti-discrimination statutes, breach an employment contract, or punish an employee for legally protected activity are unlawful.
• Employment discrimination. Federal and state laws prohibit employers from making job decisions based on race, sex, age, religion, national origin, disability, pregnancy, or other protected characteristics. These cases can involve hiring, firing, promotions, pay, or workplace conditions. Proving discrimination requires a careful factual record.
• Sexual harassment. Harassment based on sex remains one of the most commonly reported workplace violations. It can take the form of unwanted advances, requests for sexual favors, or a hostile work environment. Florida employers with 15 or more employees are covered under both state and federal law. We represent individuals who have experienced workplace harassment and employers responding to internal complaints.
• Executive compensation. Disputes over employment agreements, bonus structures, stock options, severance terms, and non-compete clauses frequently arise when executives transition between companies or are terminated.
• Federal workplace retaliation. Employees who report fraud, safety violations, or discrimination to a government agency are protected from retaliation under numerous federal statutes. When an employer demotes, transfers, or fires someone for speaking up, that’s a separate legal violation and one of the fastest-growing categories of EEOC complaints.
• Pregnancy discrimination. The Pregnancy Discrimination Act and the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act require employers to treat pregnancy-related conditions the same as other temporary medical conditions. Employers cannot refuse to hire, demote, or fire someone because of pregnancy or childbirth. Many of these cases also involve FMLA violations.
• Unpaid wages and commissions. When employers fail to pay earned commissions, overtime, or other compensation, employees can recover those amounts under the Fair Labor Standards Act and applicable state laws. These disputes are common in sales-driven industries where commission structures are ambiguous or changed after the fact.
• Severance agreements. Before signing a severance agreement, employees should have it reviewed by an attorney. These documents almost always include waivers of legal claims, non-disparagement clauses, and restrictive covenants. We help clients in Lakeland evaluate whether the terms are fair and understand what they are giving up by signing a severance.

Why Choose Hoyer Law Group, PLLC for Employment Law in Lakeland, FL?

Proven Results in Employment Cases

Hoyer Law Group has a track record of achieving meaningful outcomes in employment matters. Our attorneys have secured a $466,000 Equal Pay Act jury verdict, a $282,000 wrongful termination verdict, and over $600,000 in settlements for employees facing federal workplace violations. We understand the procedural demands of employment litigation and the pressure workplace disputes put on the people living through them.

Experienced Attorneys Who Handle Employment Law

Sean Estes founded Hoyer Law Group and manages the firm’s Tampa office, which serves Lakeland and the surrounding Polk County area. He earned his J.D. cum laude from the University of Florida Levin College of Law in 2008 and has practiced employment law for over 15 years. Sean has been recognized as a Super Lawyers Rising Star in employment law, a distinction awarded to the top 2.5% of attorneys under 40 in Florida. He is a member of the Federal Bar Association and serves on the Florida Bar Grievance Committee as Vice Chair.

Dave Scher is a founding member of Hoyer Law Group who practices employment law, whistleblower litigation, and business law. He earned his J.D. from Fordham University School of Law and is admitted to practice in New York, New Jersey, Virginia, Maryland, Washington D.C., California, and several federal courts. Dave has been cited as a legal commentator by ABC News, Forbes, Politico, and MarketWatch. His knowledge of both state and federal employment claims allows the firm to handle complex, multi-jurisdictional matters.

Hoyer Law Group offers both hourly and flat-fee billing for employment cases. Consultations are $450, and the firm provides 24/7 live call answering.

Employment Law Case Overview

Key Employment Laws and Protections

Employment law draws from a layered system of federal and state statutes. Here are the core protections that apply to most workplace disputes in Lakeland:

• Title VII of the Civil Rights Act prohibits employment discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, and national origin. It applies to employers with 15 or more employees and is enforced by the EEOC.
• The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires covered employers to provide reasonable accommodations and prohibits discrimination based on disability.
• The Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) protects employees aged 40 and older from age-based discrimination.
• The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) establishes minimum wage, overtime, and recordkeeping requirements for most private and government workers.
• The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) provides eligible employees with up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave for qualifying family or medical reasons.
• The Florida Civil Rights Act mirrors many federal protections but also covers marital status. It applies to employers with 15 or more employees and is enforced by the FCHR.

Important Aspects of Your Employment Case

Employment cases succeed or fail based on documentation and timing.

Every claim requires specific evidence. Direct evidence of discrimination is rare. Most cases are built on circumstantial evidence, showing a pattern of behavior, inconsistent treatment, or timing that suggests an unlawful motive. Emails, text messages, performance reviews, and HR records all matter.

The administrative filing requirement is equally critical. Under most federal employment statutes, you must file a charge with the EEOC before filing a lawsuit. In Florida, because the FCHR has a worksharing agreement with the EEOC, the deadline extends to 300 days from the discriminatory act. Under the Florida Civil Rights Act alone, you have 365 days to file with the FCHR. Missing these deadlines can permanently bar your claim.

Employment Case Timeline

Most employment cases follow a general sequence, though specifics vary by claim type and whether the case settles or goes to litigation.

• Initial consultation and case evaluation (1-2 weeks). We review documents, interview you, and assess whether you have a viable claim.
• Administrative filing (1-4 weeks). We file a charge with the EEOC or FCHR if required. Some claims require this step before a lawsuit can be filed.
• Agency investigation (3-10 months). The EEOC or FCHR investigates, which may involve mediation. Many cases settle during this phase.
• Right-to-sue letter (issued after investigation or upon request). This letter authorizes you to file a lawsuit in federal or state court. You typically have 90 days to act once it’s received.
• Litigation (6 months to 2+ years). Discovery, depositions, motions, and potentially trial. Most employment cases settle before trial, but preparing for trial strengthens your position.

What to Bring to Your Employment Law Consultation

Come prepared with as much documentation as you can gather.

• Your employment contract, offer letter, or any written agreements
• Recent pay stubs, commission statements, or evidence of unpaid compensation
• Any written communications related to the dispute, including emails, texts, and HR messages
• Performance reviews, write-ups, or disciplinary records
• A written timeline of events, including dates and the names of people involved

During the consultation, we will walk through the facts of your case, explain which laws apply, and discuss realistic options given your circumstances.

Florida Legal Resources for Employment Law

These resources can help employees and employers in Lakeland find relevant employment laws:

• Florida Statutes, Chapter 760 covers the Florida Civil Rights Act, which addresses employment discrimination, public accommodations, and whistleblower protections for state employees.
• Florida Commission on Human Relations allows individuals to file employment discrimination complaints online, by mail, or in person.
• EEOC – Filing a Charge explains how to file a federal employment discrimination charge and what happens after.
• U.S. Department of Labor – Worker Rights covers the FLSA, FMLA, and other federal wage and hour protections.
• U.S. Department of Labor – Wages details federal minimum wage, overtime rules, and compensation laws.

Reach Out to Hoyer Law Group, PLLC to Schedule a Consultation

If you’re facing an employment dispute in Lakeland, FL, don’t wait until deadlines pass or evidence disappears. Hoyer Law Group, PLLC represents both employees and employers in employment law matters across Florida. With 50 years of combined experience and attorneys who handle everything from wrongful termination to discrimination claims, we are prepared to help you take the right next steps. Contact us today to schedule your consultation.