Overview

Jacqueline Prats is an associate in the Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Employment Law Practice Groups. Jacqueline assists businesses with commercial disputes and litigation, as well as regularly advises employers on compliance with federal and state employment law. She also represents employers in government investigations and litigation of employment claims. Prior to joining the firm, Jacqueline was a Federal Judicial Intern at the U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida, and served as a Summer Associate at Trenam.

Representative Matters

  • Won summary judgment on behalf of employer in federal harassment and retaliation case.
  • Successfully defeated a summary judgment motion in a multi-count breach-of-contract and deceptive trade practices case on behalf of a business client, leading to resolution of claims out of court.
  • Successfully moved class-action Fair Labor Standards Act claims against employer from court to arbitration.
  • Assisted in blocking opponent’s demand for attorneys’ fees, resulting in six-to seven-figure reduction of client’s potential liability.
  • Assisted in winning summary judgment in complicated trade-secrets misappropriation case, leading to resolution of claims out of court.
  • Represented numerous employers in drafting and review of employment documents including employee handbooks, workplace policies, and employment agreements.
  • Represented businesses in negligence claims, defamation claims, contract disputes, and collections matters.
  • Represented employers of varying sizes against charges of gender, sexual orientation, race, age, and disability discrimination filed with federal, state, and local administrative agencies.
  • Represented employers of varying sizes against claims of wage-and-hour violations, trade secret misappropriation, harassment, discrimination, and retaliation, in both federal and state court.​
  • Represented companies and individuals in prosecution and defense of non-compete and other restrictive covenant claims.

Honors and Distinctions

  • Florida Super Lawyers, Commercial Litigation, 2024
    • Rising Star, Employment Litigation: Defense, 2019-2023
  • Florida Trend’s Legal Elite, Up & Comers, 2019
  • The Florida Bar Labor and Employment Section, Checkoff Newcoming Author of the Year Award, 2020

Professional Involvement

  • American Bar Association, Labor & Employment Section
  • Hillsborough County Bar Association, member
  • Florida Bar
  • Florida Association for Women Lawyers (FAWL), Student Member
  • Bay Area Legal Services (BALS)
  • Tampa Connection, Class of 2020

Community Involvement

  • Kinney Karate, Martial Arts Instructor
  • Family Forms Clinic for Bay Area Legal Services
  • Stageworks Theatre, Community Engagement Committee

Thought Leadership