Damian C. Taylor

Damian Taylor is “AV Preeminent® Peer Review Rated” by Martindale-Hubbell®, and has been named in Florida Trend’s Legal Elite, Florida Super Lawyers® and Top Lawyers by Naples Illustrated magazine. Damian represents clients in labor and employment matters and general civil litigation.

He has significant trial experience in state and federal courts and has defended numerous employers against claims under Title VII of the federal Civil Rights Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”), the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (“ADEA”), the Fair Labor Standards Act (“FLSA”), the Family and Medical Leave Act (“FMLA”), the Florida Civil Rights Act, state and federal whistleblower statutes, and many other labor and employment laws. That representation includes the handling of government investigations by agencies like the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”), the Florida Commission on Human Relations (“FCHR”), and the Department of Labor (“DOL”).

Damian frequently represents parties in disputes over non-compete agreements, confidentiality agreements, the Uniform Trade Secrets Act, and various forms of unfair competition. Much of his practice is devoted to helping employers avoid litigation through proactive measures like: implementation of employee handbooks, employment contracts, independent contractor agreements, and best employment practices; audits of exempt and non-exempt employee classifications and payroll practices under the FLSA; Form I-9 audits; investigations of alleged misconduct in the workplace; management training; and consultation with managers regarding hiring, discipline, and termination practices, and compliance with the myriad of laws and regulations affecting the workplace. Damian’s general civil litigation practice includes the representation of clients with respect to disputes over the ownership, management, and dissolution of businesses, contract performance, real estate, construction, landlord-tenant, and a variety of other matters. Where appropriate, he assists clients with resolving disputes through mediation or arbitration. Damian has been licensed to practice law in Florida since 1994, and he is admitted to practice before the U.S. District Courts for the Middle, Northern, and Southern Districts of Florida, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, and all Florida state courts.

Damian has also volunteered much of his time to community and professional organizations. He is a Past State Government Affairs Director for HR Florida, a Past President and Past Legislative Director of HR Collier, a graduate of the Leadership Collier Class of 2009, Past President of the Collier County Bar Association and its Trial Lawyers Section, and a member of the Labor and Employment Law Section of the Florida Bar. Damian was recognized as HR Florida’s 2011 Volunteer of the Year for leading the initiative to develop and implement HR Florida’s first-ever Day on the Hill event. He also served on the Board of Directors for the Boys & Girls Club of Collier County for several years, and coached over thirty Optimist Club youth soccer teams.

Before moving to Naples, Florida, Damian practiced law in Miami, as well as his hometown of Pensacola where he also served as a law clerk to the Honorable Lacey Collier, U.S. District Court Judge. He graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1990, and graduated with high honors from the Florida State University College of Law in 1994, where he was a member of the Law Review and Moot Court Team. Damian was born in Recife, Brazil on March 18, 1968.