Tara Faenza Email & Phone Number

Managing complex commercial litigation matters including breach of contract, premises liability, employment liability, and professional liability and other complex litigation matters. Represents business owners, landlords, restaurants, construction companies, contractors, property owners, subcontractors, suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, and corporations in state and federal courts in Florida. Defend employers for claims involving the Fair Labor Standards Act (“FLSA”), Title VII, ADA, ADEA, and other discrimination.

New York, Us

Managing a vast array of insurance defense and complex commercial litigation matters including first- and third-party claims (property damage and bodily injury), construction defect, premises liability, products liability, employment liability, and professional liability including residential, commercial, machine breakdown, and other complex litigation matters. Represents insurance carriers, construction companies, contractors, property owners, subcontractors, suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, and corporations in state and federal courts in Florida. Defend employers for claims involving the Fair Labor Standards Act (“FLSA”), Title VII, ADA, ADEA, and other discrimination.

Livingston, New Jersey, Us

Managing litigation relating to defense of toxic torts (asbestos, talc litigation), general liability, first party claims, employment defense matters (Title VII, FCRA, ADA, FLSA, and union).

Founding Partner and Employment Attorney. Defend employment matters before federal and state courts. Defend EEOC and FCHR Charges for management. Prepare and present counseling and training for EEO compliant workplaces, FLSA compliance, FMLA / ADA matters for litigation avoidance and internal procedures. Litigate commercial litigation matters on issues such as breach of contract, non-competition/disclosure/solicitation and other business disputes.

Labor & Employment litigation and counseling - defense oriented.General commercial litigation including breach of contract, insurance defense, and other business cases.Litigate employment cases in federal and state courts regarding FLSA, Title VII, ERISA / union, state discrimination and retaliation claims, local wage theft claims, and non-competition/ non-solicit issues.Counsel and represent employers for workouts, severance, pre-suit mediation, and other disputes.Counsel and represent employers on EEOC/FCHR Charges and prepare Position Statements.Counsel employers as outside general counsel to create policies, procedures, handbooks, employee contracts, training, investigations, and litigation avoidance.

Fort Lauderdale, Fl, Us

Litigate employment defense cases in federal and state courts.Counsel and represent employers on EEOC Charges / Position Statements.Drafting and arguing motions in state and Federal courts.Providing counsel to clients as outside general counsel.General litigation practice for breach of contract and other corporate and commercial disputes.

North Miami Beach, Fl, Us

Litigation specialist managing caseload of first party property claims and assignment of benefits cases in state and federal courts. Prepare and argue motions and responses in state and federal courts, manage all aspects of trial planning and execution. Plan and execute discovery plans, including motion practice, taking and defending depositions, and expert witness strategy and planning. Prepare, attend, and present mediation and other settlement conferences. Engage in settlement negotiations pre-litigation, during litigation, and on the appellate level. Prepare strategy, present, and argue fee hearings. Independently manage from inception to completion, portfolio of employment law cases, plaintiff and defense, from severance agreements to EEOC Charges, and litigation related to discrimination, retaliation and FLSA matters. Assist employers as outside General Counsel through: litigation avoidance strategies, training, and pre-litigation matters.

Criminal, employment, and insurance claim attorney. Pre-litigation claims and counseling for insurance and employment clients. Litigation of property insurance claims (plaintiff side): motion practice, in court oral argument, depositions, mediation, and trial preparation. Litigation of employment cases, plaintiff and defense, for: FLSA, Title VII, ADA. FMLA, and other employment related matters. EEOC counseling and case management. Mediation, settlement and separation agreement negotiations with outside counsel and General Counsel.

Houston, Texas, Us

Litigate state, federal, and appellate cases: consultations, settlement, EEOC process, prepare complaints, legal research, discovery, mediation, depositions, operative and dispositive motions, and argue in court. Negotiate and work with general counsel for opposing parties to resolve prelitigation and litigation matters.Criminal defense representation: client development, court appearances, and substantive motions and research.Client development (4 new clients); negotiated over $500,000 in new settlements.

Miami, Florida, Us

Prosecute DUIs, crimes, and traffic misdemeanors.Manage all trial stages: research, motions, plea negotiation, witness preparation, trial, and appellate matters. Argue dispositive motions, evidentiary hearings.Trial presentation: voir dire, opening statements, direct and cross examination, and closing arguments.20 jury trials and 30+ bench trials before various county court judges.

Coral Gables, Fl, Us

Honors: Cum Laude, Commencement Speaker; Dean's Certificate of Achievement in Alternative Dispute Resolution (highest grade), Fall 2012; Awarded Honors in Litigation

Miami, Fl, Us

Under the supervision of the General Counsel's office, drafted substantive legal memos related to demand letters, EEOC charges, and other litigation issues. Prepared in-house litigation avoidance training for midlevel managers including: FMLA, ADA, ADEA, Title VII, USERRA, EEOC and DOL guidelines.

Miami, Florida, Us

Researched legal issues and prepared evidentiary and other memos for assistant state attorneys in the felony division. Observed calendar call and trials.

Houston, Texas, Us

• Business development of deposition and litigation support sales.• Proactively strategized sales and marketing to attract new business and maximize business with existing clients.

Atlanta, Georgia, Us

• New business and field sales for litigation support and deposition services. • Consulted with attorneys to plan deposition and electronic discovery strategies. • Authored and presented CLEs for litigation attorneys and paralegals; trained clients on new products and services.

New York, Us

Under the supervision of General Counsel and the Director of Administration, managed conflicts, ethical walls, and contracts for world-wide expert witness firm (1200 employees).Hired, trained, and supervised a team up to 14 legal professionals, managed databases and department budget.Analyzed conflicts, business continuity, succession planning, due diligence, and acquisition integration.

San Francisco, Ca, Us

Prepared and revised patent license agreements in an in-house legal department working with General Counsel. Managed contract revision for commercialization and license agreements. Monitored trademark portfolio and deadlines.

Us

Prepared domestic and international patent prosecution documents in a large international law firm. Supported three senior partners and managed docketing.

Worldwide, Oo

Under the supervision of the General Counsel, prepared and revised contracts, investment guidelines and prospectuses for a global investment management firm managing more than $20.2B in assets. Analyzed fee and guideline issues and provided ad hoc reports on marketing and suitability responsibilities. (Now RCM Global Investors (formerly part of Dresdner Allianz)).

Supervised legal administration department at biotechnology / pharmaceutical company under the direct supervision of the General Counsel. Managed administration of 400+ patent and trademark portfolio. Worked and the preparation million-dollar research, secrecy and other agreements under the supervision of an attorney. Managed records retention program. Analyzed workflow and document production efficiency.

Legal assistant supporting up to five (5) attorneys for patent, trademark and copyright prosecution. Responsible for providing assistance in domestic and international filing of patent and trademark applications, client interface, and notary pubic duties.

J.D., Employment, Labor & Immigration Law Certificate

Bachelor'S Degree, Business Management