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Top-Ranked Employment Lawyers in Florida

Updated Methodology LexRank v1.225 lawyers rankedReviewed by LexRanked editorial team

Summary

As of November 1, 2026, the top-ranked employment lawyers in Florida are Thomas Albert Delegal III (LexRank 88.00), Jerry Ray Poole Jr. (84.25) and Dorothy Fleming Green (84.00).

This ranking lists the top 25 of the 35 employment lawyers LexRanked tracks across Florida, in order of their LexRank score, calculated from their Florida Bar records and other cited sources. All 25 lawyers in this ranking are Board Certified in Labor and Employment Law by The Florida Bar, a credential held by 4.9% of Florida lawyers in any field. They practice in 9 cities, led by Tampa.

Lawyers ranked
25
Fully verified
25 of 25

The ranking

Ordered by organic LexRank score; paid placements are labelled and never affect a position. How we rank

  1. No change

    Thomas Albert Delegal III

    Independent practice · Jacksonville, FL

    Verified
    • 35 years experience
    • Employment
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #1?

    Ranks #1 with 88.00: strongest in Reputation (8/20) and Experience (30/30).

    Strongest

    • Reputation 8/20 (ranking avg 4.2)
    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 25.7)
  2. No change

    Jerry Ray Poole Jr.

    Independent practice · Jacksonville, FL

    Verified
    • 33 years experience
    • Employment
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #2?

    Ranks #2 with 84.25: strongest in Reputation (8/20) and Experience (30/30). 3.75 points behind #1, mostly professional credentials.

    Strongest

    • Reputation 8/20 (ranking avg 4.2)
    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 25.7)

    3.75 points behind #1 (Thomas Albert Delegal III): Professional credentials −3.8.

  3. No change

    Dorothy Fleming Green

    Latham, Luna, Eden & Beaudine LLP · Orlando, FL

    Verified
    • 40 years experience
    • Employment
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #3?

    Ranks #3 with 84.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Reputation (4/20). 0.25 points behind #2, mostly reputation.

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 25.7)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.8)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.2)

    0.25 points behind #2 (Jerry Ray Poole Jr.): Reputation −4.

  4. No change

    Jeffrey Elliot Mandel

    Fisher & Phillips LLP · Orlando, FL

    Verified
    • 39 years experience
    • Employment
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #4?

    Ranks #4 with 84.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 25.7)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.8)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.2)
  5. No change

    Benton Nelson Wood

    Fisher & Phillips LLP · Orlando, FL

    Verified
    • 34 years experience
    • Employment
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #5?

    Ranks #5 with 84.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 25.7)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.8)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.2)
  6. No change

    David Whitney Adams

    Independent practice · Tampa, FL

    Verified
    • 35 years experience
    • Employment
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #6?

    Ranks #6 with 84.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 25.7)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.8)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.2)
  7. No change

    Luis A Cabassa

    Independent practice · Tampa, FL

    Verified
    • 31 years experience
    • Employment
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #7?

    Ranks #7 with 84.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 25.7)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.8)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.2)
  8. No change

    Sacha Dyson

    Bush Graziano Rice & Hearing, P.A. · Tampa, FL

    Verified
    • 25 years experience
    • Employment
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #8?

    Ranks #8 with 84.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 25.7)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.8)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.2)
  9. No change

    Kevin David Johnson

    Independent practice · Tampa, FL

    Verified
    • 32 years experience
    • Employment
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #9?

    Ranks #9 with 84.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 25.7)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.8)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.2)
  10. No change

    Brian Koji

    Independent practice · Tampa, FL

    Verified
    • 29 years experience
    • Employment
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #10?

    Ranks #10 with 84.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 25.7)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.8)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.2)
  11. No change

    Kathryn Sydny Piscitelli

    Sass, Everhart & Silva · Tampa, FL

    Verified
    • 43 years experience
    • Employment
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #11?

    Ranks #11 with 84.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 25.7)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.8)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.2)
  12. No change

    Phillip Byron Russell

    Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart · Tampa, FL

    Verified
    • 30 years experience
    • Employment
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #12?

    Ranks #12 with 84.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 25.7)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.8)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.2)
  13. No change

    Janet Ellen Jesse Wise

    Sass, Everhart & Silva · Tampa, FL

    Verified
    • 33 years experience
    • Employment
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #13?

    Ranks #13 with 84.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 25.7)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.8)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.2)
  14. No change

    Eric James Holshouser

    Rogers Towers, P.A. · Jacksonville, FL

    Verified
    • 45 years experience
    • Employment
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #14?

    Ranks #14 with 84.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 25.7)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.8)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.2)
  15. No change

    Robert Gambrell Riegel Jr.

    Independent practice · Jacksonville, FL

    Verified
    • 45 years experience
    • Employment
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #15?

    Ranks #15 with 84.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 25.7)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.8)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.2)
  16. No change

    Cathleen Ann Scott

    Independent practice · Jupiter, FL

    Verified
    • 28 years experience
    • Employment
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #16?

    Ranks #16 with 84.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 25.7)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.8)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.2)
  17. No change

    Richard David Tuschman

    Independent practice · Davie, FL

    Verified
    • 35 years experience
    • Employment
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #17?

    Ranks #17 with 84.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 25.7)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.8)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.2)
  18. No change

    John M Finnigan

    Independent practice · Maitland, FL

    Verified
    • 33 years experience
    • Employment
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #18?

    Ranks #18 with 84.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 25.7)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.8)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.2)
  19. No change

    David Hanan Spalter

    Independent practice · Winter Park, FL

    Verified
    • 33 years experience
    • Employment
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #19?

    Ranks #19 with 84.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 25.7)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.8)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.2)
  20. No change

    Robyn Sue Hankins

    Independent practice · Palm Beach Gardens, FL

    Verified
    • 32 years experience
    • Employment
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #20?

    Ranks #20 with 84.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 25.7)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.8)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.2)
  21. No change

    Melissa Christine Mihok

    Independent practice · Tampa, FL

    Verified
    • 24 years experience
    • Employment
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #21?

    Ranks #21 with 82.80: strongest in Experience (28.8/30) and Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Reputation (4/20). 1.20 points behind #20, mostly experience.

    Strongest

    • Experience 28.8/30 (ranking avg 25.7)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.8)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.2)

    1.20 points behind #20 (Robyn Sue Hankins): Experience −1.2.

  22. No change

    Kelly Hagan Chanfrau

    Independent practice · Daytona Beach, FL

    Verified
    • 24 years experience
    • Employment
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #22?

    Ranks #22 with 82.80: strongest in Experience (28.8/30) and Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 28.8/30 (ranking avg 25.7)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.8)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.2)
  23. No change

    Mark E Levitt

    Independent practice · Orlando, FL

    Verified
    • 51 years experience
    • Employment
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #23?

    Ranks #23 with 82.60: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Reputation (4/20). 0.20 points behind #22, mostly data quality.

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 25.7)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.8)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.2)

    0.20 points behind #22 (Kelly Hagan Chanfrau): Data quality −1.4.

    Not on record (scores 0, never estimated): website.

  24. No change

    Tracey Karen Jaensch

    FordHarrison, LLP · Tampa, FL

    Verified
    • 34 years experience
    • Employment
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #24?

    Ranks #24 with 82.60: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 25.7)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.8)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.2)

    Not on record (scores 0, never estimated): website.

  25. No change

    Yvette Denise Everhart

    Sass, Everhart & Silva · Tampa, FL

    Verified
    • 19 years experience
    • Employment
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #25?

    Ranks #25 with 76.80: strongest in Professional credentials (15/15) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (4/20). 5.80 points behind #24, mostly experience.

    Strongest

    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.8)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.9)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.2)

    5.80 points behind #24 (Tracey Karen Jaensch): Experience −7.2.

Data sources behind the scores

Every score on this page is calculated from facts backed by these sources. Each profile shows which source supports which fact and when it was last checked.

  • floridabar.org · Official / regulatory · 25 profile pages292 facts for 25 lawyers

Employment market in Florida

LexRanked tracks 35 lawyers and 8 law firms in employment law in Florida. 35 of the lawyers have verified professional data. Data verified October 30, 2026.

Lawyers
35
Law firms
8
Verified professional data
35 of 35
Average rating
Withheldtoo few sourced ratings
Median review count
Withheldtoo few sourced counts
Median experience
31 years35 lawyers

Calculated by LexRanked from its own records on ; data verified . Ratings and review counts count only when backed by a source; figures from fewer than three profiles are withheld. All lawyers in Florida

What sets these Florida employment lawyers apart

All 25 lawyers in this ranking are Board Certified in Labor and Employment Law by The Florida Bar, which only about one in twenty Florida lawyers achieves in any field. The figures come from each lawyer's Florida Bar profile, checked in November 2026.

Fact about the 25 ranked lawyers Figure
Board Certified in Labor and Employment Law 25 of 25
Years in practice 19 to 51 (median 33)
Languages besides English Spanish (1)
License status with The Florida Bar Eligible to practice, verified for every lawyer

Where do Florida's top employment lawyers practice?

11 of the 25 practice in Tampa; the table shows every city.

City Lawyers in this ranking
Tampa 11
Jacksonville 4
Orlando 4
Davie 1
Daytona Beach 1
Jupiter 1
Maitland 1
Palm Beach Gardens 1
Winter Park 1

Who is included in this ranking?

Lawyers eligible to practice in Florida, with an office in a Florida city we cover and employment as a practice area on record. It ranks every employment lawyer LexRanked tracks in Florida by the same score and shows the top 25. How we rank.

Find a employment lawyer in your city

A lawyer near you knows the local courts; each city has its own ranking of employment lawyers.

Florida rules to know

Florida's minimum wage is $15.00 an hour, and discrimination complaints must reach the state commission within 365 days.

Rule What it means
Minimum wage $15.00 per hour from September 30, 2026 (Fla. Const. art. X, § 24)
State anti-discrimination law Florida Civil Rights Act, employers with 15 or more employees (Fla. Stat. § 760.02)
Deadline to complain 365 days to file with the Florida Commission on Human Relations (§ 760.11)

Cases are heard in the county where they arise; see which judicial circuit covers each county.

How to choose among these lawyers

Confirm the license, prefer a lawyer who regularly works in your county, ask who will handle your matter, and get the fee terms in writing.

  1. Look up the lawyer in The Florida Bar's directory and check the bar number shown on their LexRanked profile.
  2. Ask how many matters like yours the lawyer has handled in your county recently.
  3. Ask how they charge and what costs are extra, and get the agreement in writing.

Further reading

Sources for the rules above

Frequently asked questions

What is the minimum wage in Florida?

$15.00 per hour since September 30, 2026; from 2027 it is adjusted each year for inflation.

How long do I have to file a discrimination complaint in Florida?

365 days from the act to file with the Florida Commission on Human Relations.

What does Board Certified in Labor and Employment Law mean?

It is a credential from The Florida Bar for lawyers with substantial experience in the field who have passed peer review and a written exam. 25 of the 25 lawyers in this ranking hold it; 4.9% of Florida lawyers hold a board certification in any field.

Where are the best employment lawyers in Florida?

Of the 25 lawyers in this ranking, 11 practice in Tampa, 4 practice in Jacksonville, 4 practice in Orlando. Each city also has its own ranking.

Do I need a employment lawyer in my own city?

Any lawyer licensed by The Florida Bar may practice anywhere in Florida, but a lawyer who regularly appears in your county knows its judges and procedures.

How is this ranking ordered?

By the LexRank score, calculated only from facts with a cited source: experience, practice-area relevance, awards on record such as board certification, professional credentials, data quality and location. Client reviews do not affect the LexRank score: neither star ratings nor the number of reviews is scored. Payment never changes a position.

Do client reviews affect the LexRank score?

Client reviews do not affect the LexRank score: neither star ratings nor the number of reviews is scored. Reviews are shown on profiles for information only, and Reputation counts only awards on record, such as board certification. How we rank

Which lawyers are verified?

25 of the 25 ranked lawyers have fully verified profiles: Thomas Albert Delegal III, Jerry Ray Poole Jr., Dorothy Fleming Green, Jeffrey Elliot Mandel and Benton Nelson Wood and others.

What is the difference between the top two lawyers?

Thomas Albert Delegal III scores 88.00 and Jerry Ray Poole Jr. 84.25, a gap of 3.75 points, mostly in professional credentials. Compare them side by side

About this ranking

Last updated
Methodology
LexRank v1.2 - deterministic, reproducible scoring
Editorial review
LexRanked editorial team,
Independence
Positions are never sold. Paid placements, if any, are labelled and do not affect scores.

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