Who We Represent

Trusted Counsel for Florida's Public Sector

For more than 25 years, Furey Ryder Law has served as dedicated legal counsel to municipalities, counties, and public agencies navigating the complexities of labor and employment law.

Our practice is built exclusively around the needs of public sector employers and the employees and entities that operate within Florida's governmental framework. We understand the unique legal landscape — from Chapter 447 collective bargaining obligations to civil service protections and constitutional officer authority — that governs public employment in this state.

Municipalities

Representative Matter

Negotiated a three-year CBA with a police benevolent association for a South Florida municipality, achieving cost-neutral wage outcomes while securing critical management rights provisions.

We serve as labor and employment counsel to cities and towns throughout Florida, advising elected officials, city managers, and HR departments on the full spectrum of public employment matters. From negotiating police and firefighter union contracts to defending discrimination claims, we provide the strategic guidance municipalities need to manage their workforce effectively and lawfully.

Services We Provide

Collective bargaining with police, fire, and general employee unions
Grievance arbitration and impasse proceedings
Employment litigation defense
Personnel policy development and review
Disciplinary and termination proceedings

County Governments

Representative Matter

Defended a county agency against an FLSA collective action involving public safety dispatchers, achieving decertification of the collective and favorable resolution of individual claims.

County governments face a distinct set of labor and employment challenges — from managing large, multi-union workforces to navigating the intersection of county charter authority and state law. We provide experienced counsel to county commissions, county administrators, and department heads across Florida's 67 counties.

Services We Provide

Multi-union collective bargaining strategy
FLSA compliance and wage-and-hour defense
ADA and FMLA administration
Civil service board representation
Workforce restructuring and layoff procedures

Special Districts & Public Authorities

Representative Matter

Conducted a comprehensive personnel policy audit for a regional utility authority, updating disciplinary procedures and ADA accommodation protocols to ensure full statutory compliance.

Special districts and public authorities operate with unique governance structures that create distinct employment law considerations. We advise water management districts, housing authorities, transportation agencies, and other special purpose entities on labor relations and employment compliance tailored to their specific statutory frameworks.

Services We Provide

Labor relations program development
Union organizing response and election proceedings
Employment policy audits and compliance reviews
Executive employment agreements
Board member and officer liability counseling

Constitutional Officers

Representative Matter

Obtained dismissal of a federal discrimination charge filed against a county constitutional officer, demonstrating that the adverse employment action was based on legitimate, documented performance grounds.

Florida's constitutional officers — sheriffs, property appraisers, tax collectors, supervisors of elections, and clerks of court — exercise independent employment authority under the Florida Constitution. We understand the unique legal position of constitutional officers and provide counsel that accounts for both their broad employment discretion and their exposure to civil rights and employment claims.

Services We Provide

At-will employment and termination defense
Civil rights and Section 1983 litigation defense
Whistleblower and retaliation claim defense
Personnel policy development
Collective bargaining where applicable

School Boards

Representative Matter

Represented a school district in impasse proceedings with an instructional staff union, achieving a favorable special magistrate recommendation on contested salary schedule and planning period provisions.

Public school districts operate under a complex overlay of state education law, federal employment statutes, and collective bargaining obligations with teacher and support staff unions. We provide school boards and district administrators with practical counsel on the employment matters that arise in the educational setting.

Services We Provide

Teacher and support staff union negotiations
Instructional personnel evaluation and termination
Title IX and discrimination compliance
Student-related employment liability
Superintendent and administrator contracts

Public Utilities & Authorities

Representative Matter

Advised a regional water authority through a workforce reorganization, ensuring compliance with civil service protections and collective bargaining notice obligations throughout the restructuring process.

Publicly owned utilities and independent authorities face the dual challenge of operating in a competitive environment while remaining subject to public sector labor and employment law. We advise utility boards and authority executives on workforce management, union relations, and employment compliance in this specialized context.

Services We Provide

Union contract negotiation and administration
Safety and OSHA compliance counseling
Executive compensation and employment agreements
Workforce transition and reorganization
Employment discrimination defense

Representing Your Agency

Request a Consultation