Business & Employment Lawyers near me in Orange County, FL

Search the lawyer's name on The Florida Bar's website, floridabar.org. The member profile shows whether they are eligible to practice, their bar number, the date they were admitted, any public discipline, and board certifications. The Florida Bar also runs a Lawyer Referral Service if you need help finding someone.

Under federal law, a charge with the EEOC generally must be filed within 300 days of the discriminatory act in Florida. Under the Florida Civil Rights Act, which covers employers with 15 or more employees, the deadline to file with the Florida Commission on Human Relations is 365 days. Talk to a lawyer promptly, since missing a deadline can end a claim.

Many business lawyers charge hourly rates that depend on experience and firm size, while routine tasks like forming an LLC or reviewing a standard contract are often offered at a flat fee. Litigation costs more and is harder to predict. Ask for a written engagement letter that explains rates and estimated costs.

Florida LLCs and corporations must file an annual report on Sunbiz.org between January 1 and May 1 each year. Missing the May 1 deadline triggers a $400 late fee for LLCs and for-profit corporations, and entities that still haven't filed by late September can be administratively dissolved. A business lawyer can help keep these filings on track.

Many lawyers who represent employees in wage, discrimination or retaliation cases work on a contingency basis, meaning they are paid a percentage of any recovery, and some federal and state laws allow fee awards against the employer. Lawyers representing businesses typically bill hourly. Ask how fees and costs are handled before you sign.