Naples Employment Litigation Attorney

All workers in the United States, including in Florida, have certain rights under state and federal laws. As an employee, you should understand those rights and know that, when your rights are violated, you have the option to take legal action.

At Vernon Litigation Group, we represent clients in a range of employment law cases, including disputes with current and former employers, discrimination claims, and other workplace concerns. We focus on representing employees—not employers or financial institutions—with particular attention to financial advisor employment arbitration and litigation.

For more information on how our employment attorneys in Naples can help you with your employment law case, contact us online or call (239) 319-4434 for a free consultation.

Know Your Rights as a Florida Employee

Florida’s employment laws combine state and federal protections that give workers meaningful rights in the workplace. Staying informed helps you recognize violations early and take the right action.

Our attorneys help clients understand how laws like the Civil Rights Act, Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), and Florida Minimum Wage Act apply to their situation. Because employment regulations frequently change, having local legal guidance ensures your case reflects the latest standards and deadlines.

Non-Compete Agreements

Florida’s noncompete statute, F.S. §542.335, ranks among the most pro-employer noncompete laws in the country. Florida is one of the few states to allow enforcement of non-compete agreements, and courts rely on whether the restrictions are “reasonable.” What employers consider reasonable, though, can feel restrictive and even career-limiting for employees.

After years spent developing your skills and knowledge, you do not want a non-compete agreement to block your next opportunity.

In Southwest Florida, non-compete clauses frequently appear in finance, real estate, and healthcare jobs. Employers in Naples often use non-compete contracts to protect business interests, including confidential client relationships and internal strategies. You do not have to navigate these issues alone. An employment lawyer can review the validity of your non-compete and outline practical steps to protect your career goals.

Employers must defend the terms of their non-compete when challenged, and we are here to protect your rights as an employee when the reasoning behind those terms does not make sense. Meet with our employment attorney to discuss your options: (239) 319-4434.

Florida law only supports non-compete agreements that truly protect a business’s confidential information, trade secrets, or other legitimate business interests. If you challenge a restrictive clause, employers are responsible for defending their reasons for the restriction. If they fail, a court may decide your non-compete is unenforceable under Florida law.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a non-compete last? 
A non-compete agreement must be reasonable both in duration and scope (meaning how long it lasts and the geographic area it covers). In competitive fields, enforcing a non-compete may be reasonable, but most enforceable agreements last no more than two years. Always make sure time and geographic scope are clear before signing any agreement.

What if I already signed the non-compete agreement? 
If we can show that the terms of an employer’s non-compete agreement are unenforceable (based on the criteria above), it does not matter whether you signed it. The agreement must have a legitimate and reasonable basis. Many times, what an employer sees as reasonable may not align with legal definitions. In those cases, we can argue that the agreement is unenforceable, even if you signed it. A court may also deny enforcement if the employer breached the contract or committed an unlawful act, like failing to pay commissions, overtime, or committing discrimination.

How do you beat a non-compete agreement in Florida? 
If a court finds your non-compete agreement reasonable in duration and geographic reach, you may explore options like negotiating a buyout or pursuing litigation. If there was a prior breach, like failure to pay overtime, that may give you leverage in negotiations. Have an employment lawyer review your case promptly.

Understanding Wage & Hour Laws in Naples

Wage and hour laws set clear standards for how employers pay workers for their time. In Naples, employees receive protection from both federal law and the Florida Minimum Wage Act, which sometimes provides higher safeguards than the federal minimum wage. In Collier County, wage and hour disputes often involve unpaid overtime, working off the clock, or being misclassified as exempt from overtime. If you believe an employer has failed to pay you properly, talk with an employment attorney who knows local labor rules and Florida agency practices. Naples industries—from hospitality to finance—all face wage issues unique to the region, so tailored legal advice can help protect your income. Start by saving pay stubs and writing down your work hours.

The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity investigates wage complaints and looks into potential violations across Southwest Florida businesses. Many people do not realize that some salaried workers in Florida still qualify for overtime if certain conditions apply. If you have wage concerns, professional guidance can reveal the strength of your claim and help you gather the right evidence before proceeding.

Handling Whistleblower Claims & Protections in Florida

Florida law protects employees who report illegal activity, unsafe conditions, or fraud. In Naples and throughout SW Florida, workers sometimes face difficult choices about reporting wrongdoing at private companies or government offices. State and federal statutes make it illegal for employers to retaliate against anyone who makes a good-faith report of violations. Whistleblowers often shoulder the burden of exposing problems that affect co-workers or the community.

To file a whistleblower claim in Collier County, you should keep clear written records and watch critical filing deadlines. Employees who document their concerns and speak with legal counsel early can better understand their rights. Authorities review whether the employer’s conduct violates laws and whether the employee suffered negative consequences after reporting. In Naples, the whistleblower process can be complex due to overlapping local and state regulations, but legal support can clarify your rights and next steps.

What Makes Vernon Litigation Group Different for Naples Employees?

Your choice of representation matters when you are defending your professional reputation and career. Vernon Litigation Group gives you access to attorneys with recognized credentials, including AV Preeminent® Ratings by Martindale-Hubbell® and listings in Super Lawyers®. Our legal team brings years of direct experience handling financial, investment, and commercial employment cases, and we have a history of resolving high-stakes disputes in Naples and Southwest Florida.

We offer direct attorney communication, not layers of intake staff unfamiliar with the local market. Our client-focused approach includes same-day appointments, communication in English and Spanish, and individualized solutions for Naples’ diverse workforce. We plan strategies based on the realities of the local job market, aiming to deliver trusted guidance and foster lasting client relationships.

Discrimination & Harassment

Federal and state laws ban discrimination and all forms of harassment, including sexual harassment, in the workplace.

Under the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964, no employer in the U.S. may discriminate against an employee on the basis of:

• Race
• Religion
• Sex
• Pregnancy
• Color
• National origin

Additional federal laws prohibit workplace discrimination based on:

• Age (40 or older)
• Disability
• Genetic information

Florida employment laws also prohibit discrimination based on:

• Sickle cell trait
• Marital status

These laws apply to any Florida employer with at least 15 employees; age-based discrimination laws apply to companies with 20 or more workers. Employers may not discriminate at any point—posting job listings, conducting interviews, making hiring decisions, paying wages, deciding promotions, giving benefits, administering discipline, or letting someone go.

Harassment is a form of discrimination. Workplace harassment is any unwanted conduct or comments tied to a protected category (such as race, sex, or religion). When harassment leads to a hostile environment, employees can take legal action.

Sexual harassment usually involves unwelcome advances, unwanted touching, suggestive remarks, or similar conduct. In many cases, sexual harassment happens when someone with power pressures another person into sexual activity, or rewards one employee for favors with raises or promotions. The law calls this quid pro quo sexual harassment.

The Naples workforce has grown steadily, drawing people from across Florida and beyond. This diversity creates new opportunities, but also brings potential legal challenges if harassment or discrimination happens. When you know your protected rights, you can address concerns sooner and limit the chance that workplace problems develop further in Collier County businesses.

Retaliation & Wrongful Termination

Employees have the right to be free from employer retaliation when they report or complain about discrimination, harassment, wage violations, or other unlawful conduct. 

Many workers in Naples and Southwest Florida rely on employment protections when they speak up about wrongdoing or exercise their job-related rights. An employment attorney can explain how to gather evidence, manage timing, and map out the steps to take when facing retaliation or wrongful termination. Courts in Collier County uphold anti-retaliation laws, giving workers options if they suffer adverse outcomes as a result.

Retaliation may take many forms, including:

• Failing to promote a qualified employee who reported sexual harassment
• Disciplining an employee who complained of a hostile work environment
• Giving negative reviews after an employee reports discrimination

These are just a few common examples. Retaliation can take many forms.

The Florida False Claims Act prohibits persons and companies who do business with the state from knowingly:

• Submitting, or causing submission of, a false or fraudulent claim for payment or approval.
• Making or using false records or statements tied to a false or fraudulent claim.
• Making or using false records or statements about an obligation to pay money or property to the state.
• Concealing or improperly avoiding an obligation to pay money or property to the state.
• Conspiring to do any of the above.

The Federal False Claims Act works similarly to Florida’s law. Under federal law, the person who reports the violation may be eligible to receive 15% to 30% of any proceeds recovered in the suit.

Hiring Vernon Litigation Group means investing in a team committed to going above and beyond to deliver positive results for clients. We see representing clients as a privilege, and believe every client deserves reliable, effective legal advocacy.

How Vernon Litigation Group Can Help

Since 2008, our firm has provided trusted, award-winning legal services to individuals in Southwest Florida. Our team of employment attorneys in Naples represents clients in complex employment law cases involving wage and hour violations, missed overtime, discrimination and harassment, promissory note disputes, U5 defamation actions, FINRA topics, and more.

The Naples area includes a high number of finance, healthcare, and professional service employers. These industries create challenging scenarios involving employment contracts, incentive disputes, and specific industry rules. Our team knows the unique dynamics of the local job market—including seasonal shifts in employment patterns—and the legal needs that follow. We help clients weigh their best options based on the latest local and state laws, helping them move their careers forward with minimal obstacles.

We understand federal and state employment laws, including FINRA regulations and related matters, and we have a track record of success representing employees with claims against current and former employers. While we strive for efficient, cost-effective solutions through alternative dispute resolution whenever possible, our team is always prepared to protect your rights and interests in court when trial becomes necessary.

We encourage you to reach out to us right away to learn how we can help you with your case. Call (239) 319-4434 or submit an online contact form for a free case evaluation.