The Arbitration Offices of G. Thomas Harper

1912 Hamilton St.
Suite 205
Jacksonville, Fl 32210

Mailing Address:
Post Office Box 2757
Jacksonville, Fl 32210

(904) 396 - 3000
(Fax) (800) 393 5977

Tom@
workplacemediator.com



“Four things belong
to a judge:
to hear courteously,
to answer wisely,
to consider soberly,
and to decide impartially.”

Socrates, 470-399 B.C. Franklin Pierce Adams, F.P.A. Book of Quotations, 1952

 
 

Courts are enforcing arbitration agreements between companies and their employees. Resolving an employment dispute through arbitration saves time and money. It is less formal and more efficient than court litigation. An employee has the full range of legal remedies and the dispute can often be decided within 3-6 months.

Experienced

Mr. Harper is a Panel Member, American Arbitration Association (AAA), Expedited Commercial Claims Panel. He is “av” rated by Martindale Hubble and has 30 years of experience as a labor relations and employment law attorney. He is Board Certified in Labor Relations and Employment Law by the Florida Bar. Mr. Harper has tried employment cases before juries in each of the federal district courts of Florida. He has litigation experience in a wide variety and large number of cases, including numerous jury and non-jury trials before federal and state courts and administrative agencies. (“Mr. Harper’s Trial Experience”) Mr. Harper has also served as an expert witness on attorneys’ fees in federal court in employment cases. He also brings experience as having represented both employees and employers. This background and experience makes Mr. Harper uniquely qualified to serve as a neutral in workplace disputes.

Mr. Harper is an approved Arbitrator for FINRA ( The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority). He is also an approved Arbitrator for the Florida Bar, Grievance Mediation and Fee Arbitration Program. He has recieved Arbitrator Training approved by the Florida Supreme Court as well as courses in Advanced Arbitrator Training, FINRA Arbitration Chair training and American Arbitration Association (AAA) traning.

Tom is an approved arbitrator for the following Florida Judicial Circuits.

Second Judicial Circuit (Franklin, Gadsden, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty, and Wakulla)
Third Judicial Circuit (Columbia, Dixie, Hamilton, Lafayette, Madison, Suwannee, Taylor)
Fourth Judicial Circuit (Clay, Duval and Nassau)
Fifth Judicial Circuit (Hernando, Marion, Lake, Sumter and Citrus)
Seventh (St. Johns, Flagler, Putnam and Volusia Counties)
Eighth Judicial Circuit ( Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Gilchrist, Levy, and Union)
Thirteenth (Hillsborough County - Tampa)
Fourteenth Judicial Circuit (Bay, Calhoun, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson and Wash)
Seventeenth (Broward County - Ft. Lauderdale) Judicial Circuits of Florida.

Settlement of wage hour claims in Florida

Historically, when the parties settle an employment-related matter, the employer has obtained a “Full and Complete Release of All Claims,” sometimes referred to as a global release. This release has normally included a confidentiality provision and a provision that the former employee will not seek reinstatement or reemployment with the employer.

Knowledge

Tom Harper truly understands the laws that affect the workplace. For the past 20 years he has served as Editor of The Florida Employment Law Letter. ( “Recent Employment Law Developments”) This monthly newsletter has over 800 subscribers. As Editor, each month since 1989 Mr. Harper has reviewed employment cases and decisions by the courts and administrative agencies. Mr. Harper has authored numerous articles and publications on labor and employment topics. Some of his publications are available at www.HarperGerlach/Resources/HRStore.com.

Mr. Harper is an Adjunct Instructor for the University of North Florida, Division of Continuing Education where he teaches programs to business owners, managers and supervisors on labor and employment law topics. He is the current Chair of the Labor and Employment Law Committee for the Jacksonville Bar Association.

Certified by the Supreme Court of Florida as a Circuit Court Mediator

Mr. Harper is also trained and experienced in other forms of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). He is a Florida Supreme Court Certified Circuit Court Mediator. He is an Approved Mediator for all Florida Circuit Courts and for the U.S. District Court for the Northern, Middle and Southern Districts of Florida. Mr. Harper also understands the value of employment-related cases since he has maintained for years a record of jury verdicts in employment cases in Florida.

 
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The hiring of a lawyer is an important decision that should not be based solely upon advertisements. Before you decide, ask us to send you free written information about our qualifications
and experience. The information included in this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. Please consult G. Thomas Harper for legal advice.
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