Alysa J. Ward

Shareholder

Practice Area

Commercial Litigation | Labor & Employment

Practice Profile

Alysa is a commercial litigator who practices primarily in the areas of labor and employment and civil rights litigation. Her employment litigation practice includes representing private and public employers in both federal and Florida state courts in all aspects of employment litigation, both at trial and on appeal. Alysa has represented clients on discrimination claims for age, sex, disability, race, religion, national origin, and sexual harassment in both judicial and administrative fora. She has particular expertise in defending claims arising under the Fair Labor Standards Act, including class action lawsuits. Her civil rights experience includes constitutional issues arising in the employment context, as well as in connection with local adult use zoning regulations. A significant portion of her practice involves providing proactive advice and counseling to clients concerning employment decisions, compliance issues, and best practices, as well as drafting and reviewing policies and procedures, employment contracts, and employee handbooks. Alysa is a frequent speaker on topics arising under Title VII, ADA, and the FLSA.

Education

  • University of Georgia, J.D. cum laude (Senior Articles Editor, Georgia Journal of International and Comparative Law), 1998
  • Yale University, Ph.D. (Classical Languages and Literature), 1990
  • Dartmouth College, B.A. cum laude (Greek), 1979

Professional Recognition

  • U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers® Best Law Firms, Employment Law

Bar Admissions

  • Florida
  • U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida
  • U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Florida
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit
  • U.S. Supreme Court

Selected Professional and Civic Activities

  • Bay Area Legal Services
  • Hillsborough County Bar Association (Board of Directors)
  • Hillsborough County Bar Association Lawyer Magazine (Past Editor)
  • Mental Health Care Foundation (Secretary, Board of Directors)

Seminars Presented

  • Avoiding and Defending Retaliation Claims, Tampa, Florida
  • Discrimination: What It Is, What Is Prohibited, and What You Can Do to Banish It from Your Workplace, Tampa, Florida
  • Ensuring Compliance with ADA and FMLA Regulations, Tampa, Florida
  • Responding to the New FLSA Regulations, Tampa, Florida
  • Protecting At-Will Employment in Florida, Tampa, Florida

Past Employment Positions

  • University of Georgia, Department of Classics (Assistant Professor) 1990-1995