What We Do
Practice Areas
Comprehensive labor and employment counsel exclusively for public sector employers — municipalities, counties, special districts, and public agencies throughout Florida.
Exclusively Public Sector. Exclusively Labor & Employment.
Furey Ryder Law has represented Florida's public employers for more than 25 years. Our practice is narrow by design — we do one thing, and we do it at the highest level. Every attorney in the firm focuses exclusively on labor and employment law for government entities, giving our clients the depth of expertise that general-practice firms simply cannot match.
From the negotiating table to the courtroom, we stand beside municipal employers at every stage of the employment relationship — providing the strategic counsel and aggressive advocacy that protects public resources and keeps government running.
01
Collective Bargaining & Labor Relations
Strategic representation at the bargaining table and before the Public Employees Relations Commission.
We serve as chief negotiators for municipalities and counties across Florida, developing bargaining strategies that protect fiscal sustainability while maintaining productive labor relationships. Our attorneys have negotiated hundreds of collective bargaining agreements covering police, fire, general employees, and supervisory units.
Our labor relations services extend beyond the table — we advise on contract administration, grievance handling, arbitration defense, unfair labor practice charges, and unit clarification proceedings before PERC.
Representative Services
- Contract negotiation and administration
- Impasse proceedings and special magistrate hearings
- Unfair labor practice defense
- PERC representation
- Strike preparedness and response
- Grievance and arbitration defense
02
Employment Litigation & Defense
Vigorous defense of public employers in state and federal courts and before administrative agencies.
When litigation is unavoidable, Furey Ryder Law provides experienced, cost-effective defense in state and federal courts. We defend municipalities against claims arising under Title VII, the ADEA, the ADA, the FMLA, Section 1983, the Florida Civil Rights Act, and the Florida Whistleblower Act, among others.
Our attorneys understand the unique procedural and sovereign immunity considerations that apply to public employers, and we leverage that knowledge to achieve favorable outcomes — whether through early dismissal, summary judgment, or trial.
Representative Services
- Title VII, ADEA, and ADA defense
- Section 1983 civil rights defense
- FMLA and Florida leave law defense
- Whistleblower and retaliation defense
- Wage and hour litigation
- Administrative agency representation (EEOC, FCHR, DOAH)
03
Municipal HR Compliance & Advisory
Day-to-day counsel that keeps public employers ahead of evolving employment law obligations.
Prevention is always less costly than litigation. Our attorneys serve as trusted advisors to HR directors, city managers, and elected officials — providing practical guidance on discipline and termination, policy development, accommodation requests, and compliance with state and federal employment mandates.
We conduct workplace investigations, draft and review personnel policies, advise on public records obligations intersecting with employment matters, and provide training to supervisors and HR staff on best practices for public sector employment.
Representative Services
- Discipline, termination, and due process guidance
- Personnel policy drafting and review
- Workplace investigations
- ADA and FMLA accommodation analysis
- Supervisor and HR training
- Public records and employment law intersection
04
Civil Service & Merit System Representation
Expert representation before civil service boards, merit system commissions, and administrative tribunals.
Florida's public employers operate within a complex web of civil service rules, merit system protections, and charter provisions that create unique procedural requirements for employment actions. Furey Ryder Law has deep experience navigating these systems on behalf of municipalities and counties.
We represent public employers before civil service boards and merit system commissions, advise on the interplay between civil service protections and collective bargaining rights, and provide guidance on charter amendments and civil service rule changes.
Representative Services
- Civil service board representation
- Merit system compliance
- Charter and ordinance review
- Disciplinary hearing preparation
- Civil service rule interpretation
- Interplay of civil service and collective bargaining
Counsel Built for Public Employers
Every engagement begins with a thorough understanding of your municipality's labor environment, workforce composition, and long-term objectives. Contact us to discuss how Furey Ryder Law can serve your agency.