Christopher Cavaliere

Christopher Cavaliere is a practical advisor and passionate advocate for his clients, Chris helps businesses prevent and resolve legal disputes, particularly those with their own employees. He drafts employment contracts, independent contractor agreements, restrictive covenant agreements, separation and severance agreements, and employee handbooks. Chris also regularly represents clients before state and federal administrative agencies and courts.

Focusing on labor and employment law, he assists both large and small employers with HR and employment issues relating to hiring and firing, background checks, employee handbooks, compensation, overtime, discrimination, harassment, retaliation, breach of contract, unpaid wages, non-competition agreements, non-solicitation agreements, confidentiality agreements, and more. With an appreciation for the specific business needs of his clients, Chris helps ensure compliance with federal and state employment laws such as:

• Title VII
• Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)
• Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
• National Labor Relations Act (NLRA)
• Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA)
• Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
• Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA)
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

Having a strong background as a litigator and trial attorney, Chris prepares each case with an eye toward trial and fearlessly advocates for his clients. Chris began his legal career as a criminal prosecutor, during which time he tried more than 20 jury trials. Thereafter, Chris represented international corporations, small businesses, and insurers in a variety of legal disputes.

While in law school, Chris received the Victor O. Wehle Award for excellence in trial advocacy, served as a Senior Associate on the Stetson Law Review, and interned for the Honorable Susan C. Bucklew, Senior United States District Court Judge for the Middle District of Florida. Chris is also a member of Phi Beta Kappa, the nation’s most prestigious academic honor society.

Education:

• J.D., cum laude, Stetson University College of Law, 2010
• B.A., summa cum laude, Sociology, Stetson University, 2007

Bar and Court Admissions:

• Florida
• District of Columbia
• U.S. District Court Middle District of Florida
• U.S. District Court Southern District of Florida
• U.S. District Court Northern District of Florida

Professional and Community Affiliations:

• Tampa Bay Businesses for Culture and the Arts, Board of Directors; Executive Committee; Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts Committee
• The Florida Bar, Labor and Employment Law Section
• Hillsborough County Bar Association
• Palma Ceia Neighborhood Association
• Tampa Bay Club Sport Softball