Employment Defense Team Gets a “Win” for School District
Messer Caparello’s employment defense team of Bob Harris, Jim Dean and Cameron Carstens recently scored a big win for a School District client in an employment discrimination and whistleblower case in federal court in North Florida. The Plaintiffs, a Husband and Wife, alleged that the School District discriminated against them based on the Wife’s medical […]
Cameron Carstens Selected as 2024 Florida Rising Star
Messer Caparello, P.A. is pleased to announce that Cameron Carstens has been recognized as a 2024 Florida Rising Star by Super Lawyers in the field of Civil Litigation: Defense. Super Lawyers is a rating service of outstanding lawyers that includes a patented, multi-phased selection process based on peer recognition, professional achievement, and other factors. Only […]
Messer Caparello Attorneys Provide Training to Private Colleges
On May 29, 2024, Messer Caparello attorneys Bob Harris, Jim Dean, Cameron Carstens, Rob McNeely and Monica Freeland provided a full day of training to administrators of over 85 independent postsecondary educational institutions on a host of legal issues. Approximately 110 administrators attended the training. The topics included college regulatory compliance with state and federal […]
Terry Lewis Presents on Evidence at Criminal Law Review & Board Certification Seminar
Terry Lewis, a former Leon County Circuit Judge, recently participated as a Presenter at the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers’ Criminal Law Review & Board Certification seminar held on April 5, 2024, in Lake Mary Florida. Judge Lewis presented on the topic of Evidence. Judge Lewis is a member of the Firm’s mediation and […]
Supreme Court Punts in ADA Tester Case
Supreme Court “punts” in ADA “tester” case by James J. Dean If you are a place of public accommodation under the ADA – such as a hotel, restaurant, school, college, doctor’s office, accountant, realtor, store, car dealership or other business open to the public – you may be sued by an ADA “tester” for disability […]
Messer Caparello, P.A., Announces New Shareholders
Tallahassee law firm, Messer Caparello, P.A., established in 1970, is pleased to announce that retired circuit judge Thomas H. Bateman III, Monica Freeland and Cameron Carstens have been named as shareholders with the firm. Thomas H. Bateman III joined the firm following his retirement from Leon County Circuit Court and offers mediation, arbitration, special magistrate, […]
Don’t be too quick to discipline students for social media posts done off campus!
When may a school discipline a student for social media postings? Student speech is protected by the First Amendment. And when a student engages in “pure speech” on political or social issues, the student is entitled to extra protection. The law is clear that schools have authority to discipline students for things they say on […]
Former Judge Terry Lewis Joins Firm
The law firm of Messer Caparello, PA, is pleased to announce that Terry Lewis, who recently retired after 30 years as a trial judge, has become of counsel with the firm and will focus on mediation and arbitration. Mr. Lewis was a general practitioner for 12 years before his election to the county court in […]
Employees Can’t be Fired for Being Homosexual or Transgender
It is now a violation of federal law for an employer to fire an employee because the employee is homosexual or transgender. The United States Supreme Court, issued its ruling, in a 6 to 3 decision, on June 15, 2020, in the case of Bostock v. Clayton County, Georgia. Under the Court’s ruling, Title VII […]
Selected Highlights of Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) (March 19, 2020)
On March 18, 2020, President Trump signed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) into law. Here are some highlights of the Act for employers: FFCRA takes effect: April 1, 2020 three major provisions for employers: amends FMLA establishes paid sick leave requirement provides for tax credits for employers Emergency Family and Medical Leave Expansion […]