Bret Yaw is a Board Certified Specialist in Labor and Employment Law who devotes his practice to the representation of management in traditional labor and employment law matters.

Bret defends employers against a variety of claims, including discrimination, harassment, and retaliation under Title VII, the Florida Civil Rights Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Family and Medical Leave Act, as well as claims brought under the Fair Labor Standards Act. Bret practices in federal and state court, and has represents employers in administrative actions with the National Labor Relations Board, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the U.S. Department of Labor, the Public Employees Relations Commission, and the Florida Commission on Human Relations. Bret also assists clients through all facets of traditional labor law, including collective bargaining negotiations, unfair labor practice cases before the National Labor Relations Board, union organizing campaigns, arbitration hearings, and picketing.

Bret also counsels management on how to avoid/resolve employment disputes and litigation, provides a wide range of management training, and drafts and reviews employee handbooks, policies and procedures, and employment agreements.

Additionally, Bret serves as a Lecturer at the University of Central Florida in the College of Business, instructing graduate-level students in Employment and Business Law, as well as Conflict Resolution and Negotiation.
 

Honors & Awards
  • Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch - Labor and Employment Law - Management and
    Litigation - Labor and Employment (2021 - 2024)
  • "Florida Rising Stars," Super Lawyers magazine

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Bret Yaw - Rising Star Widget

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Bret Yaw - The Florida Bar Board Certification Widget

  • Defended one of the nation’s largest employers in discipline/discharge and contract interpretation arbitrations. 
  • Served as lead negotiator for healthcare facilities in collective bargaining. 
  • Defeated unit clarification petition, as confirmed by National Labor Relations Board. 
  • Obtained summary judgment in Family and Medical Leave Act and Americans with Disabilities Act lawsuit, and bench trial verdict on remaining Family and Medical Leave Act interference claim, including an appeal to Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals.
  • Obtained grant of request for review and reversal from National Labor Relations Board on unit clarification petition. 
  • Served as first-chair counsel in National Labor Relations Board hearings.
  • Defended lawsuits alleging violations of the FLSA.
  • Represented various employers in litigation of claims alleging discrimination, harassment, and retaliation under federal and state statutes in federal and state courts.
  • Handled appeal of state administrative decision regarding veterans' preference for municipal utility.
Education
  • University of Florida College of Law
    J.D., cum laude, 2012
  • University of Florida
    B.A., magna cum laude, 2008 Phi Beta Kappa
Bar Admissions
  • Florida
Court Admissions
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida
  • U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida
  • U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida