G. Thomas Harper

About Tom's Practice

G. Thomas Harper has practiced labor and employment law since 1973. He opened The Law and Mediation Offices of G. Thomas Harper, LLC, in 2014. He is Board Certified by the Florida Bar in Labor and Employment Law. Mr. Harper represents a diverse group of companies in a broad range of employment and labor issues. He counsels clients concerning the FMLA, the ADA, the ADEA, and sexual harassment. He has defense litigation experience in a wide variety and number of cases, including numerous jury and non-jury trials before federal and state courts and administrative agencies. Tom has also served as an expert witness on employment law issues in federal court in Florida. He has been involved in over 200 union-organizing attempts, union elections, decertifications, contract negotiations, and strikes. He presents seminars for clients and employer associations on all aspects of labor and employment law and conducts supervisor training on such diverse topics as National Labor Relations Act compliance, sexual harassment, ADA, and FMLA.

Tom Harper is both a Florida Supreme Court Certified Circuit Court Mediator and a Board Certified Labor and Employment lawyer. This combination, together with his experience, makes him uniquely qualified to mediate employment related disputes. He is also an Approved Mediator for all Florida Circuit Courts and for the U.S. District Courts for the Middle and Northern Districts of Florida and has attended and participated in approximately 100 employment-related mediations.

Education

• J. D., University of Georgia School of Law, 1973
• B. A., Furman University, 1970

Major Publications & Speaking Engagements

• Editor, Florida Employment Law Letter (since 1988)
• Contributing Editor, Southeast Employment Law Letter
• Author, "Court upholds dismissal of fired NFL coach's defamation claims," Florida Employment Law Letter, February 2018, and HR Daily Advisor, March 21, 2018
• Author, "Signed time cards: the difference between 'thrill of victory' and 'agony of defeat,'" Florida Employment Law Letter, November 2017, and HR Daily Advisor, December 21, 2017
• Author, "HR manager fired for downloading, e-mailing himself company documents," Florida Employment Law Letter, August 2017, and Technology for HR Blog, October 5, 2017
• Author, "Miami judge rules that Winn-Dixie's website violates ADA," Florida Employment Law Letter, July 2017, and Technology for HR Blog, August 24, 2017
• Author, "How much 'side work' can employees do and still be paid tipped minimum wage in FL?" Florida Employment Law Letter, June 2017, and HR Daily Advisor, July 26, 2017.
• Author, "Jury to decide whether Ft. Myers student interns are owed overtime, minimum wage," Florida Employment Law Letter, May 2017, and HR Daily Advisor, June 29, 2017
• Author, "Pizza discrimination?! Customer sues Florida Domino's for employees' alleged bias," Florida Employment Law Letter, August 2016, and Diversity Insight, December 18, 2016
• Author, "Employee or trainee? Tampa car dealership learns the difference and escapes liability," Florida Employment Law Letter, July 2016, and HR.BLR.com, August 17, 2016
• Author, "It's unwise to block employee on work restrictions from returning to work," Florida Employment Law Letter, June 2016, and HR.BLR.com, July 20, 2016
• Author, "Florida court reviews FLSA rules for valid tip credits and tip pools," Florida Employment Law Letter, March 2016, and HR.BLR.com, April 25, 2016
• Author, "11th Circuit: Fired employee's claim of transgender discrimination goes to jury," Florida Employment Law Letter, February 2016, and HR.BLR.com, March 3, 2016
• Author, "Can a customer claim age discrimination? Florida court has the answer," Florida Employment Law Letter, December 2015, and HR.BLR.com, January 12, 2016
• Author, "Beware: Hiring an employee with a noncompete agreement may violate Florida law," Florida Employment Law Letter, October 2015, and HR.BLR.com, November 17, 2015
• Author, "Florida: What do you owe an employee who becomes disabled?" Florida Employment Law Letter, October 2015, and HR.BLR.com, October 26, 2015
• Author, "OSHA cites Florida healthcare company for workplace violence violations," Florida Employment Law Letter, August 2015, and HR.BLR.com, September 16, 2015
• Author, "After-acquired evidence saves Florida employer thousands in front pay and reinstatement," Florida Employment Law Letter, June 2015, and HR.BLR.com, July 22, 2015
• Author, "Florida: Was allowing only 'light-skinned' employees to interact with patient race discrimination?," Florida Employment Law Letter, April 2015, and HR Hero Line, May 12, 2015
• Author, "Florida court reverses dismissal of whistleblower lawsuit," Florida Employment Law Letter, March 2015, and HR.BLR.com, April 20, 2015
• Editor, Florida Employment Law Manual (2001, Florida Chamber of Commerce, Tallahassee and American Chamber of Commerce Publishers)
• Author, Hiring in Florida: A Guide for Persons Who Interview and Hire (1991, Florida Chamber of Commerce, Tallahassee)
• Co-author, Workers' Compensation Drug Testing Compliance Manual (1996, M. Lee Smith Publishers LLC)
• Author, A Model Employment Application and Post Job-Offer Medical History Questionnaire for Florida Employers (M. Lee Smith Publishers LLC)
• Author, How to Avoid Legal Problems in Hiring & Firing in Florida (1995, M. Lee Smith Publishers LLC)

Professional Recognition

• Named Designated Specialist in labor and employment law, Florida Bar Association
• Listed in The Best Lawyers in America (since 1995)
• Listed in Jacksonville magazine as one of Jacksonville's best lawyers (Feb. 2001)
• Listed in Florida Monthly magazine as one of the top labor and employment lawyers in Florida (Sept. 2005)
• Board Certified in Labor and Employment Law by The Florida Bar