Linda Bond Edwards

Linda Bond Edwards devotes her practice to the representation of employers in the private and public sectors in matters involving employment and labor issues. As a former corporate director of human resources, Linda brings to her legal practice the pragmatic and real world experiences arising from the employer-employee relationship. She is also a county and circuit court mediator certified by the Florida Supreme Court, in which she assists parties in resolving their disputes through the use of the mediation process. Linda also arbitrates employment and commercial disputes privately and through the American Arbitration Association.

A seasoned employment lawyer, Linda represents public and private employers in the health care, law enforcement, municipal government and benefits management industries. Linda advises clients on employment matters including hiring, retention and termination practices. Consultation, training and education on issues such as discrimination and harassment are part of her practice. She routinely develops, prepares and presents training and educational seminars for clients and others in the public and private sectors including law enforcement, diversity and public records law. Linda also represents clients in collective bargaining and has experience serving as the chief negotiator for clients during the collective bargaining process. She also represents elected officials before the Ethics Commission.

Beyond litigation, Linda conducts workplace investigations into harassment and discrimination, audits clients’ employment practices and provides proactive advice that helps employers avoid and/or limit liability. She also prepares affirmative action plans for clients and assists clients in obtaining non-immigrant visas.

Linda also litigates claims arising from the employment relationship. She represents public and private employers in judicial and administrative proceedings including those before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the Florida Commission on Human Relations (FCHR). She defends clients in cases asserting claims under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Chapter 760, Florida Statutes, including those based on religion, national origin, race and gender. She also has extensive experience defending against wage and hour claims (collective actions) brought under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 (FMLA) as well as allegations of age discrimination brought under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA). She has also defended entities on public records issues.

As a mediator, Linda assists parties in reaching mutually acceptable resolutions to their disputes. She has mediated matters involving personal injury claims as well as those involving warranty, foreclosures, title challenges and other consumer-related issues. She does not mediate family law matters.

Linda is AV-Rated by Martindale-Hubbell. Outside of the courtroom, she is a frequent speaker and trainer on issues concerning the employer/employee relationship including such topics as the prevention of sexual harassment, the ADA, the FMLA and the FLSA, as well as hiring, retention and termination practices.