Donnelly + Gross - Gainesville, FL

Elite Labor and Employment Law Advocacy in Gainesville, Florida

Workplace legal disputes carry profound organizational, operational, and financial ramifications for employers, professionals, and labor associations alike. Established in 1995 by senior partners Paul Donnelly and Laura Gross, Donnelly and Gross has earned an authoritative reputation as one of Florida foremost boutique labor and employment law firms. Operating from offices in Gainesville and Fort Myers, the firm represents small businesses, regional corporations, executive professionals, and dozens of law enforcement and fire rescue labor unions across the state. Both founding partners are recognized Fellows in the College of Labor and Employment Lawyers and hold AV Preeminent ratings from Martindale-Hubbell. Organizational leaders and executive professionals who need to hire an attorney capable of resolving contentious workplace disputes or structuring complex executive contracts find battle-tested counsel committed to strategic risk prevention and decisive courtroom litigation.

Employer Defense and Preventative Corporate Counseling

Preventing workplace crises requires proactive risk management, clear statutory compliance, and meticulous policy drafting. When companies face administrative investigations or employment lawsuits, business leaders who need a lawyer urgently to defend against federal and state claims rely on the firm for aggressive defense. Key employer services include:

• Workplace Discrimination Defense: Defending employers against administrative charges and civil lawsuits alleging discrimination based on race, gender, disability, age, pregnancy, or national origin under Title VII and the Florida Civil Rights Act.
• Wrongful Termination and Retaliation Claims: Countering claims of unlawful discharge, whistleblower retaliation, and workers compensation retaliation before administrative agencies and trial courts.
• Wage and Hour Compliance: Advising businesses on Fair Labor Standards Act mandates, overtime exemption classifications, independent contractor audits, and wage dispute defense.
• Independent Workplace Investigations: Conducting impartial, third-party investigations into sensitive executive misconduct, sexual harassment complaints, and regulatory ethics violations.
• Employment Contracts and Covenants: Reviewing and drafting executive compensation agreements, non-compete covenants, confidentiality pacts, and separation agreements.

First Responder Labor Rights and Union Representation

Donnelly and Gross stands as one of Florida most experienced legal champions for public sector labor unions and first responders. Clients seeking to find a lawyer with comprehensive mastery of Florida Public Employees Relations Commission proceedings trust the firm for unmatched public sector advocacy. Core labor representation areas include:

• Collective Bargaining and Impasse: Leading contract negotiations, special magistrate proceedings, and contract ratification procedures for fire rescue and police unions.
• Grievance and Arbitration Advocacy: Representing labor unions and bargaining unit members in contractual grievance disputes and disciplinary arbitrations.
• Pension Fund Governance: Serving as general counsel to boards of trustees managing multi-million-dollar municipal police and firefighter retirement funds.
• First Amendment and Whistleblower Protection: Litigating high-profile public sector speech and statutory whistleblower protections in federal trial and appellate courts.

Statewide Leadership in Labor and Employment Law

Honored in the Chambers Regional Spotlight Florida Guide and recognized with multiple Tier 1 regional rankings by Best Law Firms in employment and labor litigation, Donnelly and Gross combines deep legal scholarship with practical workplace insight. Whether managing an impending union negotiation or defending an employment dispute, consult an experienced attorney at Donnelly and Gross in Gainesville to safeguard your organizational interests.