Lawyers can play a crucial role in achieving favorable outcomes for their clients in mediation. There are a few ways that lawyers can improve the outcome, such as preparing thoroughly, setting realistic goals, building rapport with the mediator, and working on their...
Attitudes Can Be Contagious: Handling Non-Verbal Cues During Mediation
In negotiations and mediations, non-verbal cues can affect the other party's perception of you and your message. For example, if you are negotiating with someone and you cross your arms, the other person may interpret this as a defensive posture and assume that you...
An Employer’s Guide to Conducting Applicant Interviews
One of the issues that many employers overlook is the potential for asking illegal, discriminatory questions when interviewing job applicants. Certain interview questions can be considered discriminatory because they may reveal information that could be used to...
What Employers Can Do to Prevent Sexual Harassment in the Workplace
Employers have a responsibility, among other things, to ensure their workplace is free from sexual harassment. Not only is this a legal obligation, but it is also just a good business practice. Allowing sexual harassment, or harassment of any type, to go unchecked in...
How to Make Early Mediation Work
Most attorneys can attest to filing or defending cases that should have been settled early, but how often does that actually happen? Instead, we are plagued with cases that settle only after the close of discovery that was incredibly expensive and ultimately a waste...
Not Everyone is Entitled to FMLA Leave, But How Do You Know?
Most employees have at least heard of FMLA Leave, but not everyone understands what it takes to qualify for leave. This article will provide an overview of the Family and Medical Leave Act, better known as the FMLA, and explain the requirements that need to be met for...
The Whistleblower Protection Act of 1989
Whistleblower laws protect individuals who report wrongful conduct from retaliation by the wrongdoer, often an employer. Other blog articles cover whistleblower laws in general, including The False Claims Act, the predecessor of whistleblower provisions. This article...
Employment Discrimination on the Basis of Pregnancy
Workplace discrimination on the basis of pregnancy involves treating a woman, whether a job applicant or an employee, unfavorably because of pregnancy, childbirth, or a medical condition related to pregnancy or childbirth. Similar to other types of discrimination,...
Employment Criminal Background Checks
Employment criminal background checks may include criminal information residing in law enforcement records, court records, correctional facility records, and sex offender records. In Florida, these investigations are legally required for criminal justice and law...