Michael Harper

Personal Introduction

Mr. Harper is an experienced litigator and has tried cases in state and federal courts and before the American Arbitration Association. Mr. Harper began his professional career as a claims investigator with the Florida Commission on Human Relations (FCHR), providing him with a unique perspective on the various aspects of the administrative phase of discrimination claims. Mr. Harper primarily focuses his practice on labor relations and the defense of employment claims, including litigating claims under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; the Florida Civil Rights Act; the Americans with Disabilities Act, as amended; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act; the Fair Labor Standards Act; the Equal Pay Act; the Family and Medical Leave Act and the Uniformed Services Employment and Re-employment Rights Act, among other statutory and common law employment claims. Mr. Harper also consults with private and public employers on the drafting of employee handbooks, policies and procedures, employment agreements, non-competition agreements and confidentiality agreements. Mr. Harper’s practice also includes the defense of private and public entities in general liability claims, including premises liability, personal injuries, brain injuries, wrongful death, automobile and trucking accidents, negligent security, slip-and-falls and toxic and dangerous substances claims. Mr. Harper has also represented local governments and individual political figures in legal matters, including voting contests, redistricting, ethics compliance and campaign finance laws.