GET THE LEGAL HELP YOU NEED
Protecting Florida Businesses and Executives in High-Stakes Workplace Disputes
At The Duarte Firm, we represent the parties with the most on the line in a workplace dispute: the companies that build value and the executives who drive it. We focus on sophisticated disputes where a contract, a trade secret, a reputation, or a leadership transition is at stake. Specifically, defending employers against meritless claims and representing senior executives in enforcing the terms they were promised.
That focus shapes how we work. Because we draft, negotiate, and litigate these agreements from every side of the table, we can tell you early and candidly where a case is strong, where it's exposed, and what it's realistically worth before significant costs are incurred. We resolve matters efficiently when settlement serves your interests, and are fully prepared to litigate the cases that don't.
Areas of Focus:
Executive & Employment Contracts
We litigate disputes over executive compensation, equity and deferred compensation, severance packages, and alleged breaches of employment terms. We represent companies enforcing or defending their agreements, and executives holding employers to the deals they made.
Restrictive Covenants, Garden Leave & Trade Secrets
We litigate the enforceability of non-compete, non-solicitation, and confidentiality agreements, including under Florida's 2025 CHOICE Act. Whether you are enforcing a covenant against a departing executive or challenging one you believe overreaches, we know how Florida courts apply both the CHOICE Act and the longstanding standard under Fla. Stat. § 542.335.
Executive Onboarding & Departures
Recruiting a competitor's talent or losing a key leader to a rival carries real litigation risk. We advise on and litigate the trade-secret and restrictive-covenant exposure that arises when executives change sides, from individual moves to coordinated team departures.
Discrimination & Harassment Defense
We defend employers against claims involving race, gender, age, disability, and pregnancy under the Florida Civil Rights Act and Title VII, protecting the organization's finances, operations, and reputation through resolution or trial.
