Sheila M. Cesarano

Some of the biggest employers in the nation call on Sheila Cesarano to handle labor and employment cases in Florida. A skilled veteran with a strong trial record, she has more than 30 years of experience  defending Fortune 100 companies in and out of court. She also leads a team of lawyers at Shutts & Bowen as Co-Chairperson for the Labor and Employment Practice Group and is based in the Miami office.

Experience

From her start with the National Labor Relations Board to her current partnership at the firm, Ms. Cesarano's work has covered a broad range of labor and employment issues. Her experience has led to her representation of major national clients such as Target, L'Oreal S.A./Lancôme and others.

As one of roughly 6% of attorneys who are Board Certified by The Florida Bar, Ms. Cesarano defends employers in discrimination matters, including race, sex, national origin, sexual harassment, pregnancy, religion, age, and disability, as well as claims of retaliation. She also defends hotels, restaurants and other businesses in accessibility cases brought under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Ms. Cesarano often advises employers on workplace issues and works to prevent problems that may lead to litigation. She is experienced in dealing with employee discipline and terminations, personnel policies, employee benefit plans, drug testing, family and medical leave, wage and hour laws, grievance/arbitration, unfair labor practices, and union organizing campaigns. She has handled labor and employment matters for various clients including retail manufacturers, hotels, restaurants, department stores, contractors, transportation companies, cruise lines, schools, financial institutions, airlines, insurance companies and health care providers.

Ms. Cesarano frequently conducts management-training seminars on prevention of workplace issues. She has spoken on employment law topics such as sexual harassment, progressive discipline, EEOC discrimination charges, drug testing, and diversity.

She is a member of the American Arbitration Association.

Background

Following her graduation from law school, Ms. Cesarano worked as a trial attorney and trial supervisor for the National Labor Relations Board. She has been in private practice since 1987.

Representative Cases

Ms. Cesarano won a jury trial for global cosmetics giant L'Oreal S.A./Lancôme in the company's first employment trial in the United States. The jury ruled in her client's favor on all counts, dismissing claims of age, race and national origin discrimination.

Recognition

• Martindale-Hubbell A-V Rated
• The Best Lawyers in America®, selected for inclusion Labor & Employment Law 2010, 2011, 2012
• Florida Super Lawyers, selected for inclusion Employment & Labor Law 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011

Education

• University of Washington School of Law, J.D., 1977
• University of Washington, B.S., summa cum laude, Psychology, 1974

Bar Admissions

• The Florida Bar
• Washington Bar

Court Admissions

• U.S. District Court for the Southern, Middle and Northern Districts of Florida
• U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit
• U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington
• U.S. Supreme Court

Affiliations

• American Arbitration Association
• American Bar Association
• The Florida Bar Association
• Washington Bar Association