St. Petersburg Employment Lawyer

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

If a workplace dispute in St. Petersburg, FL has put your career or financial stability at risk, whether through discrimination, retaliation, wrongful termination, or unpaid compensation, the deadlines to take legal action are fixed by statute and do not bend. The legal framework governing these claims is layered, and the procedural requirements are unforgiving. Waiting to consult an attorney can mean losing the right to pursue your case entirely.

Hoyer Law Group, PLLC has more than 50 years of combined experience representing employees and employers in employment law matters throughout Florida. Our St. Petersburg, FL employment lawyer serves Pinellas County and the greater Tampa Bay area. We have obtained jury verdicts, settlements, and case dismissals across the full spectrum of workplace disputes. Contact us to schedule a consultation.

Employment Lawyer St. Petersburg, FL

An employment lawyer represents employees and employers in legal matters arising from the workplace relationship. That encompasses claims under federal laws such as 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 protections under the Florida Civil Rights Act, found in Chapter 760 of the Florida Statutes, which prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, and marital status.

Many employment claims require administrative filings with the EEOC or the Florida Commission on Human Relations before a lawsuit can be filed. An employment attorney in St. Petersburg identifies which statutes apply, handles these procedural steps, and builds the evidentiary foundation a case needs to succeed.

Types of Employment Law Cases We Handle in St. Petersburg

Not every employment violation is immediately apparent. A sudden firing after reporting misconduct leaves little room for ambiguity. But many workplace legal problems surface slowly, through incremental changes in treatment, responsibilities, or compensation that an employee may not identify as unlawful until well after the pattern has taken hold. Below are the types of cases we handle for clients in St. Petersburg and throughout Pinellas County.

• Wrongful termination. Florida’s at-will employment doctrine allows employers to terminate employees for most reasons. It does not, however, permit terminations that violate anti-discrimination statutes, breach an employment contract, or retaliate against an employee for engaging in legally protected activity. We represent employees who were fired unlawfully and employers defending against termination claims.
• Employment discrimination. Federal and Florida law prohibit employers from making job-related decisions based on race, sex, age, religion, national origin, disability, pregnancy, marital status, or other protected characteristics. These cases may involve hiring, promotion, compensation, discipline, or termination. Proving discrimination requires careful documentation of how similarly situated employees were treated differently.
• Sexual harassment. Unwanted sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and conduct that creates a hostile work environment are prohibited under both federal and state law. Florida employers with 15 or more employees are subject to these protections. We represent individuals who have experienced harassment at work as well as employers responding to internal complaints.
• Federal workplace retaliation. Employees who report fraud, safety violations, or workplace discrimination are protected from retaliation by their employers. A demotion, pay cut, schedule change, or termination following a protected complaint can constitute a separate legal violation. Retaliation is now among the most frequently filed categories of EEOC charges.
• Executive compensation. Disputes involving employment agreements, equity arrangements, bonus structures, severance packages, and non-compete clauses arise regularly when executives change roles or are terminated. These matters require analysis of both contract terms and applicable employment statutes.
• Pregnancy discrimination. The Pregnancy Discrimination Act and the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act prohibit employers from treating pregnancy-related conditions less favorably than other temporary medical conditions. Refusing to hire, demoting, or firing someone because of pregnancy or childbirth is unlawful. Many of these claims overlap with FMLA violations.
• Unpaid wages and commissions. When employers withhold earned wages, overtime, or commissions, employees may recover those amounts under the Fair Labor Standards Act and applicable Florida law. Commission disputes are particularly common in industries where pay structures are poorly documented or modified unilaterally.
• Severance agreements. These agreements typically contain broad waivers of legal claims, non-disparagement provisions, and restrictive covenants that can affect your future employment. We review severance packages for clients in St. Petersburg, FL, negotiate better terms, and ensure employees understand what they are signing.

Why Choose Hoyer Law Group, PLLC for Employment Law in St. Petersburg, FL?

Results That Reflect the Work

Hoyer Law Group has delivered measurable outcomes for clients in employment disputes. Our attorneys have secured a $466,000 jury verdict under the Equal Pay Act, a $282,000 wrongful termination verdict, and over $600,000 in settlements for employees who experienced federal workplace violations.

Experienced Attorneys Handling Employment Disputes

Sean Estes founded Hoyer Law Group and manages its Tampa office, which serves St. Petersburg and all of Pinellas County. He graduated cum laude from the University of Florida Levin College of Law in 2008 and has practiced employment law for over 15 years. Sean was named a Super Lawyers Rising Star in employment law, placing him among the top 2.5% of attorneys under 40 in Florida. He is a member of the Federal Bar Association and serves as Vice Chair of the Florida Bar Grievance Committee.

Dave Scher co-founded the firm and practices employment law, whistleblower litigation, and business law. He holds a J.D. from Fordham University School of Law and is admitted to practice in seven jurisdictions, including New York, California, Virginia, Maryland, and Washington D.C. Dave is regularly cited as a legal commentator by ABC News, Forbes, Politico, and MarketWatch, and his multi-jurisdictional practice allows the firm to handle employment cases that cross state lines.

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

Understanding Employment Law Cases

Key Employment Laws and Protections

Employment disputes in St. Petersburg are governed by an interconnected set of federal and state statutes. The primary protections include:

• Title VII of the Civil Rights Act prohibits workplace discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, and national origin. Enforced by the EEOC, it covers employers with 15 or more employees.
• The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires reasonable accommodations and prohibits discrimination based on disability.
• The Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) protects employees aged 40 and older from age-based employment decisions.
• The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) sets minimum wage and overtime standards for most workers in both private and public sectors.
• The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) provides eligible employees up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave for qualifying medical or family reasons.
• The Florida Civil Rights Act extends protections similar to federal law and 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 turn on evidence and procedural compliance.

Circumstantial evidence drives most claims. Few employers document discriminatory intent openly. Instead, cases are built through comparisons of how the employer treated similarly situated employees, the timeline between a protected activity and the adverse action, and inconsistencies in the employer’s stated reasons for its decisions. Preserving emails, performance reviews, text messages, and HR records is critical.

Administrative deadlines are immovable. Under most federal statutes, you must file a charge with the EEOC before you can file a lawsuit. In Florida, the FCHR has a worksharing agreement with the EEOC that extends the filing deadline to 300 days from the discriminatory act. Under the Florida Civil Rights Act standing alone, you have 365 days to file with the FCHR. Allow either deadline to pass, and your claim is likely barred.

Employment Case Timeline

Each case proceeds differently, but the general arc follows a predictable pattern.

• Consultation and evaluation (1-2 weeks). We review your documentation, assess the facts, and determine whether a viable claim exists.
• Administrative filing (1-4 weeks). A charge is filed with the EEOC or FCHR as required by statute.
• Agency investigation (3-10 months). The agency investigates and may offer mediation. A significant number of cases resolve during this phase.
• Right-to-sue letter (issued after investigation or on request). This notice authorizes you to file a lawsuit. You generally have 90 days to act.
• Litigation (6 months to 2+ years). Discovery, depositions, and motions proceed. Most employment cases settle before trial, but thorough trial preparation strengthens negotiating leverage.

What to Bring to Your Employment Law Consultation

Arrive with whatever documentation you have available.

• Your employment contract, offer letter, or any written agreements
• Pay stubs, commission statements, or records showing unpaid compensation
• Emails, text messages, and written correspondence related to the dispute
• Performance reviews, write-ups, or disciplinary notices
• A timeline of key events, including dates and individuals involved

We will review the facts, explain which statutes apply to your situation, and outline realistic options going forward.

Florida Legal Resources for Employment Law

These resources help employees and employers in St. Petersburg locate relevant employment laws:

• Florida Statutes, Chapter 760 contains the Florida Civil Rights Act, covering 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 to expect afterward.
• 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 requirements, and related compensation laws.

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

If you are facing an employment dispute in St. Petersburg, FL, do not wait for the situation to resolve itself. Hoyer Law Group, PLLC represents both employees and employers in employment law cases throughout Pinellas County and the Tampa Bay region. With over 50 years of combined experience handling workplace discrimination, retaliation, wrongful termination, and wage claims, our attorneys are prepared to evaluate your case and help you determine the right course of action. Contact us today to schedule your consultation.