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print full bioKaren M. Morinelli
Profile
Ms. Morinelli counsels a variety of private and public sector employers in all aspects of labor and employment law. She concentrates her practice in union negotiations, employer/employee relations, litigation and alternative dispute resolution and has served as Chief Negotiator for clients in both the public and private sector. As former General Counsel and Vice President of Human Resources she brings a strong business perspective to both client relations and in her approach to manage client issues. She has managed a corporate legal department and a variety of employment related issues in corporate mergers, acquisitions and divestitures including national class action litigation including management of a successful appeal to the United States Supreme Court. She is a frequent lecturer for both state wide and national employer sponsored organizations on a variety of current labor and employment topics.
Ms. Morinelli is the Advocacy Chair for the Relay for Life, Palmer Ranch, Sarasota, Florida for 2011.
Experience
In 2008 Ms Morinelli joined Ogletree Deakins Law Firm in its Tampa, Florida office. In addition to representation of employers in collective bargaining she litigates all aspects of employment law cases in state and federal courts and before administrative agencies. Ms. Morinelli counsels clients on labor and employment matters including Title VII, the ADAAA, the ADEA, the FMLA, AAP, NLRA, PELRA, FCRA and local fair employment practice standards. In addition, she presents seminars and training programs for clients and employer organizations on a variety of employment related topics. She conducts internal investigations of workplace improprieties, including sexual harassment, ethics violations and public sector formal investigations in accordance with state and local laws. Ms. Morinelli drafts employment contracts, severance agreements and settlement agreements; and advises clients on all aspects of the employment process including hiring, discipline and terminations.
Education and Honors
J.D., cum laude, Stetson University College of Law, 1989
M.B.A., University of Notre Dame Graduate School of Business, 1985
B.A., cum laude, LaSalle University, 1976
- 2012 Best Lawyers in America
- Florida Academy of Professional Mediators
- AV Rated by Martindale-Hubbell
Professional Activities
- Florida Supreme Court Certified Mediator
- Mediator, U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida
- American Bar Association (Labor and Employment Section)
- District of Columbia Bar Association (Labor and Employment Section)
- Florida Bar Association (Labor and Employment Section)
- Society for Human Resource Management
- St. Petersburg/Clearwater Bar Association
- Sarasota County Bar Association
- Sarasota Manatee Human Resources Association
- Charlotte County Society for Human Resources
- Advocacy Chair, Relay for Life, Palmer Ranch, American Cancer Society
- NPELRA 2012 Annual Training Conference - "Avoiding Wage and Hour Mistakes (Fair Labor Standards Act)" - Orlando - April 15, 2012
- Suncoast Human Resources Management Association - "2011 HR Legal Update" - St. Petersburg - September 14, 2011
- NPELRA Annual Training Conference - "Ask An Expert - Labor & Employment Law" - San Diego - March 2011
- FPELRA Annual Training Conference - "Legal Update: Know Where You Are!" - Orlando - February 9, 2011
- NPELRA – Labor Relations Academy II - "Role of Arbitration in Union/Management Relations" - Raleigh - November 9, 2010
- NPELRA – Labor Relations Academy II - "Responding to Grievances before Arbitration" - Raleigh - November 9, 2010
- Ogletree Deakins Seminar - "Evaluating Employee Performance Without Creating Legal Liability" - Tampa - October 21, 2010
- Ogletree Deakins Seminar - "Hot Topics in the Public Sector" - Tampa - October 21, 2010
- Ogletree Deakins Seminar - "Conducting Successful Workplace Investigations" - Tampa - October 21, 2010
- NCLEPA Fall Conference - "Mandatory Collective Bargaining for Public Safety Employees: An Introduction to Organizing and Negotiation" - Boone - October 13, 2010
- FPELRA Training - "Impasse – The Legal Perspective" - Orlando - July 25, 2010
- Client Training Seminar - "Unemployment Claims Appeals – Strategies for Success" - St. Petersburg - May 19, 2010
- Ogletree Deakins Workplace Strategies Seminar - "HR’s Role in Employment Litigation Management" - Las Vegas - May 6, 2010
In The News
- February 2, 2009 - Biz941.com - "Accommodating Employees"
- September 15, 2011 - Ogletree Deakins Publication - "First Decision Issued in Florida Recommending a Defined Contribution Plan for Public Workers in Accordance with City’s Proposal"
Florida
District of Columbia
U.S. Court of Appeals, District of Columbia Circuit
U.S. District Court, Middle and Northern Districts of Florida
U.S. Supreme Court