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Leonard J. Dietzen, III

Partner
Tallahassee Office
850.222.6550
Email

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Practices

  • Employment and Labor
  • Government and Administrative
  • Education
  • External General Counsel Services
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    Profile

    Leonard Dietzen concentrates his practice on collective bargaining, education law, labor issues for school boards and all aspects of employment law for both private and public sector employers. From consulting with clients to representing them in administrative proceedings and litigation, his practice encompasses the full spectrum of activities attendant to the employment relationship.

    Leonard serves as school board attorney for both Suwannee and Walton County School Boards and provides legal counsel to numerous school superintendents in Florida. He is well versed in the state and federal statutes governing the employment relationship. He also serves as General Counsel to the Florida School Boards Association (FSBA) and Florida Educational Negotiators (FEN).

    Leonard serves as chief negotiator for numerous school boards during union negotiations. He also assists employers with union grievances and administrative claims brought before the Florida Public Employer Relations Commission (PERC).

    Leonard litigates claims under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act including those alleging discrimination based on race, religion, gender, national origin and pregnancy. He represents employers in cases brought under the Age Discrimination and Employment Act (ADEA), Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), and Florida Civil Rights Act, Chapter 760. He represents clients in state and federal courts against claims brought under 42 U.S.C. Section 1981, 1983 and 1985.

    Fluent in the state and federal statutory scheme pertaining to labor and employment matters, Leonard is a frequently and sought after speaker on employment issues. He is often asked to speak at trade association meetings and invited to make presentations to public and private employers alike.  Leonard also serves as the Administrative Partner of the Tallahassee office.

    Details

    • Florida Educational Negotiators
    • Florida School Board Attorneys Association

    Florida State University College of Law — J.D., with honors, 1989

    University of Central Florida — B.A., Economics, cum laude, 1986

    • Florida — 1990

    • U.S. District Court of Florida (Southern, Middle, Northern)

    • Best Lawyers in America, "Lawyer of the Year," Labor Law-Management, 2022
    • Best Lawyers in America, Employment Law-Management; Labor Law-Management; Litigation-Labor and Employment, 2018-2025
    • Florida Super Lawyers, Employment & Labor, 2012- 2021
    • Florida Trend, Legal Elite NOTABLE Labor & Employment Lawyers 2024
    • Florida Trend Legal Elite 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2019, 2021

    • Presenter, "Bargaining in Uncertain Times: Current Pressures, Strategic Responses and Legal Tips," Florida Educational Negotiators, May 2025
    • Presenter, "Models of Collective Bargaining," Florida Association of District School Superintendents, April 2025
    • Co-author, "What DeepSeek Can Teach Legal Teams About Creating Stronger GenAI Policies," Today's General Counsel, April 2025
    • Presenter, "The Many Roles of a Florida School Board Attorney," Florida School Boards Association, March 2025
    • Co-author, "The Time Is Now for Employers to Assess Risk of Employees’ Use of DeepSeek," Legal Tech News, February 2025
    • Presenter, "Navigating Change: Understanding the Impact of Florida’s Amendment 3 on School HR Policies and Practices," Florida Educational Negotiators General Meeting, October 2024
    • Author, "Why Your Organization Needs to Craft a Comprehensive GenAI Policy Now," Today's General Counsel, October 2024
    • Presenter, "The Key to Success in Bargaining," Florida School Finance Officers Association, 2024 Summer Conference, June 2024
    • Presenter, "Generative AI’s Impact on K-12 Education and Pitfalls for Education Leaders," Florida School Board Attorneys Association, June 2024
    • Presenter, "Tried and Tested Bargaining Strategies: A 20-District Perspective," Florida Educational Negotiators 44th Spring Conference, May 2024
    • Co-author, "Understanding How Generative AI Can Affect Your Business’ Data Privacy And Ownership Is Crucial," HR Legal & Compliance Excellence on HR.com, May 2024
    • Presenter, "Tried and Tested Bargaining Strategies: A 20-District Perspective," Florida Educational Negotiators Spring Conference, May 2024
    • Presenter, "HR Hot Topics," North East Florida Educational Consortium, March 2024
    • Presenter, "Sunshine Law and Ethics," Florida School Board Association, December 2023
    • Presenter, "Successful Bargaining Strategies Amidst Dwindling Education Funding," Florida Educational Negotiators Spring Conference, May 2023
    • Presenter, "Strategic Approaches to Collective Bargaining in the School Setting," North East Florida Educational Consortium, March 2023
    • Presenter, "The Many Roles of the School Board Attorney," New School Board Member Academy, Florida School Board Association, March 2023
    • Co-author, "The Who, What, Where and Why of Fla.’s Public Records Law, and How to Avoid Pitfalls," Daily Business Review, January 2023
    • Presenter, "Negotiations Update," Florida School Finance Officers Association (FSFOA), November 2022
    • Presenter, "HR Director’s Continuing Role in Collective Bargaining and Contract Enforcement," Florida Association of School Personnel Administrators (FASPA) Annual Conference, November 2022
    • Host/Presenter, "Florida Public Records Laws: Avoiding the Pitfalls and Mistakes that Lead to Expensive and Costly Litigation," Legally Qualified Podcast, October 2022
    • Co-Author, "First Amendment Wheel Doesn’t Stop Spinning: What Risk Managers Need to Know for the New School Year," September 2022
    • Presenter, "Tips to Avoid Expensive Employment Lawsuits," Florida Education Risk Managers Association (FERMA) Summer Conference, July 2022
    • Co-author, "Second DCA Finds School Board Investigative Communications Not Entitled to Attorney-Client Privilege: Provides Lifeline to District Employees," July 2022
    • Author, "Relief for Local Governments and Taxpayers: Court Limits Attorneys’ Fees Under Sunshine Law," June 2022
    • Presenter, "School District Public Records," Florida Educational Negotiators Annual Conference, May 2022
    • Presenter, "Impasse: Understanding the Endgame," Florida Educational Negotiators Annual Conference, May 2022
    • Co-Author, 'Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act of 2021," March 2022
    • Co-Author, "Governor DeSantis Signs New Covid-19 Related Laws that Have Immediate Effect in Florida," November 2021
    • Co-Author, "Vaccine Mandates and Religious Exemptions: Why Employers are Confused," October 2021
    • Co-host, "The Transformation of Education in Florida," Legally Qualified podcast, September 2021
    • Presenter, "Collective Bargaining 101: Tips and Traps," Florida Educational Negotiators Virtual Spring Conference, May 12, 2021
    • Moderator, "Hot Topics - Second Semester Sizzlers," Florida Educational Negotiators, February 17, 2021
    • Moderator, "Hot Topics on Your Table at the Start of 2021," Florida Educational Negotiators Webinar, January 2021
    • Moderator, "More Hot Topics in Labor Relations in Our Public Schools," Florida Educational Negotiators Webinar, November 2020
    • Moderator/Panelist, "Hot Topics in Labor Relations & Human Resources in Public Schools," Florida Educational Negotiators Webinar, September 18, 2020
    • Co-author, "Social Unrest, the COVID-19 Pandemic and School-Required Masks: What Could Possibly Go Wrong?" August 2020
    • Presenter, "Negotiating Teacher Allocation Pay & Reopening Plans: A Race Without a Finish Line," Florida Educational Negotiators webinar, July 29, 2020
    • Co-presenter, "Moving Past Exigent Circumstances: How to Bargain Your Employees Back to Work," Florida Association of District School Superintendents webinar, June 17, 2020
    • Presenter, “Moving Past Exigent Circumstances: How to Bargain Your Employees Back to Work," webinar to the Florida School Labor Relations Service (FSLRS), May 28, 2020
    • Presenter, "Mitigating the Impact of COVID-19 on Bargaining Teams," Webinar for Florida Education Negotiators, April 29, 2020
    • Co-presenter, "Families First Coronavirus Response Act – Important Information for Employers," Florida Association of District School Superintendents, March 26, 2020
    • Co-presenter, "Families First Coronavirus Response Act – Important Information for Employers," North East Florida Educational Consortium, March 24, 2020
    • Co-author, "Coronavirus Q&A: A Legal Resource Guide for Employers, March 2020
    • Co-Author, "Florida Considers Several Bills That Will Impact Florida Employers," Daily Business Review, February 24, 2020
    • Presenter, "Bargaining Do's and Don'ts," The Florida School Board Attorneys Association and The Florida Bar Education Law Committee, February 21, 2020
    • Author, "The Devil is in the Details—for Employers: Florida’s Medical Marijuana Employee Protection Act," Law360, February 5, 2020
    • Presenter, "Medical Marijuana, Legalized Hemp, CBD Oil – What Could Possibly Go Wrong in the Workplace?!" Florida Educational Negotiators, January 2020
    • Author, "Medical Marijuana Employee Protection Act: What the Future Could Hold for Florida," Cannabis Business Executive, January 2020
    • Co-Author, "Relief for Employers Arrived When High Court Closed Door on Class Arbitration,” Daily Business Review, May 6, 2019
    • Presenter, "Florida Public Records: What Now?" Florida Association of City Clerks Summer Conference & Academy, June 2018
    • Presenter and Panelist, Florida Police Chiefs Association School Safety Symposium, May 2018
    • Presenter, "What to Do Before the #MeToo Claim Hits Your Agency," Florida Educational Negotiators 38th Annual Conference, May 2018
    • Presenter, "How the School Safety Act Will Impact Your District," Florida Educational Negotiators 38th Annual Conference, May 2018
    • Presenter, "Will Your Instructional Unit Survive HB 7055?" Florida Educational Negotiators 38th Annual Conference, May 2018
    • Presenter, "MeToo: Protect Your Employees and Your District," Florida Educational Negotiators Annual Meeting, February 2018
    • Presenter, "Public Records and Sunshine Law Update," Florida School Boards Association Annual Conference, December 2017
    • "'Legislators Finally Pass a Bill to Implement Florida's Medical Marijuana Constitutional Amendment," June 2017
    • "Governor Scott Signs Public Records Bill: Relief for Florida Agencies," May 2017
    • "Finally Relief for Florida Agencies: Safe Harbor with Public Records Requests," May 2017
    • Presenter, "Florida Public Records: What Now?" Florida Police Chiefs Association Seminar, November 2017
    • Presenter, “Florida Employers: Here Comes Medical Marijuana – Are You Ready?” Preferred Educational Seminar / Public Risk Underwriters of Florida, Inc., Lake Mary, May 2017
    • Presenter, “Tips for Handling an Unfair Labor Practice Charge & Social Media” Florida Educational Negotiators, Daytona, May 2017
    • Presenter, “Florida Employers: Here Comes Medical Marijuana – Are You Ready?” Florida Educational Negotiators, Daytona, May 2017
    • Presenter, “Labor Laws Facing the Chief of Police” Florida Police Chiefs Association, Tallahassee, March 2017
    • Presenter, “Educate Board Members to Reduce Bargaining Tensions” Florida Educational Negotiators, Tallahassee, February 2017
    • Presenter, “Collective Bargaining Dos and Don’ts” Florida Association of District School Superintendents, Gainesville, February 2017
    • Presenter, “Legal Aspects of Leading a Florida School District: Public Records and Sunshine Law” Florida Association of District School Superintendents, Gainesville, February 2017
    • Presenter, “Doing Business with a Florida Public Entity: Know Your Responsibilities under Florida’s Public Records Laws” Florida Police Chiefs Association, Orlando, January 2017
    • Presenter, "Florida Public Records: What Now?" Florida Police Chiefs' Association Tallahassee, June 2016
    • Presenter, "Florida Public Records: What Now?" Florida Police Chiefs' Association Winter Park, June 2016
    • Presenter, "Impasse Dos and Don'ts," Florida Educational Negotiators 36th Annual Conference, May 2016
    • Presenter, "Grievance and Arbitration," Florida Educational Negotiators 36th Annual Conference, May 2016
    • Presenter, "Public Records and Sunshine Law Update," Florida School Board Association Ethics Training 2016, May 2016
    • Presenter, "How Understanding What a Public Record Is Can Prevent Expensive Lawsuits," Preferred Governmental Claim Services Training, March 2016
    • Presenter, "Labor Laws Facing Chief of Police and Florida's Public Records Law," Florida Police Chiefs Association STARS New Chiefs Training Seminar, March 2016
    • Speaker, "Thoughts on Business Development," Rumberger, Kirk & Caldwell Associates, February 2016
    • Presenter, "Responding to Your Union's Endless Requests for Documents During Collective Bargaining," Florida Educational Negotiators General Membership Meeting, February 2016
    • Presenter, "Impasse: The Do's and Don'ts" and "Grievances and Arbitration," Florida Educational Negotiators 36th Annual Conference, May 2016 — 5-13/16
    • Presenter, "Public Records and Sunshine Law Update", Florida School Boards Association, December 2015
    • Presenter, "Training for Educational Leaders", Baker County School Board Administration, November 2015
    • Presenter, "Public Records and STARS Training for Administrative Assistant Professionals", Florida Police Chiefs Association, October 2015
    • Presenter, "Why Bargaining Backwards Is a No-Win Situation", Florida Educational Negotiators General Membership Meeting, September 2015
    • Presenter, "Public Records and STARS Training for Administrative Assistant Professionals", Florida Police Chiefs Association, August 2015
    • Presenter, "Public Records and Sunshine Law Update", Florida School Boards Association Ethics Training, August 2015
    • Presenter, "Tips to Avoid Employment Lawsuits and FMLA Update", Madison County and Public Risk Insurance Agency (PRIA), June 2015
    • Presenter, "Grievance and Arbitration", 35th Annual Spring Training Program The Florida Educational Negotiators, May 2015
    • Presenter, "Impasse Dos and Don’ts", 35th Annual Spring Training Program The Florida Educational Negotiators, May 2015
    • Speaker, "Hot Issues in Public School Collective Bargaining", Florida Educational Negotiators, February 2015
    • Presenter, "Public Records and Sunshine Law Update", Ethics Training Florida School Boards Association, December 2014
    • Presenter, "Recent Public Records Legislation and Related Judicial Review: The Impact upon Florida School Districts", 34th Annual Spring Training Program The Florida Educational Negotiators, May 2014
    • Presenter, "Ethics Training Florida School Boards Association", 34th Annual Spring Training Program, May 2014
    • Presenter, "Public Records and Sunshine Law Update", Ethics Training Florida School Boards Association, May 2014
    • Presenter, "Administrator Training", Suwannee County School Board, March 2014

    Leonard's News and Insights

    See All News See All Insights Read Beyond the Bio
    Drag
    05.08.2025
    Events

    Bargaining in Uncertain Times: Current Pressures, Strategic Responses, and Legal Tips

    During the 45th annual Spring Conference for the Florida Educational...

    04.23.2025
    Events

    Leonard Dietzen Presents Collective Bargaining Strategies to New School Superintendents

    RumbergerKirk Partner Leonard Dietzen recently shared his expertise in education...

    04.03.2025
    Employment and Labor

    What DeepSeek Can Teach Legal Teams About Creating Stronger GenAI Policies

    This article was originally published in Today’s General Counsel on...

    Photo: Shutterstock.com/Miha Creative
    03.19.2025
    Events

    The Many Roles of a Florida School Board Attorney

    During a presentation for the Florida School Boards Association, partner...

    02.05.2025
    Cyber & Technology

    The Time Is Now for Employers to Assess Risk of Employees’ Use of DeepSeek

    DeepSeek-V3 became the most downloaded app across the world in...

    Photo: Shutterstock.com/Nick Livyi
    10.25.2024
    Events

    Navigating Change: Understanding the Impact of Florida’s Amendment 3 on School HR Policies and Practices

    Election day is around the corner. On the ballot in...

    10.22.2024
    External General Counsel Services

    Why Your Organization Needs to Craft a Comprehensive GenAI Policy Now

    The rapid advancement of generative artificial intelligence technologies has revolutionized...

    Shutterstock.com/Teki7
    09.04.2024
    Firm News

    Florida Trend Selects Leonard Dietzen Among its 2024 Legal Elite NOTABLE Labor & Employment Lawyers

    The Florida Trend has recognized RumbergerKirk partner Leonard Dietzen among...

    08.15.2024
    Firm News

    Best Lawyers in America® 2025 Edition Recognizes 24 RumbergerKirk Attorneys

    Two Named  “Lawyer of the Year” and Two Named “Ones...

    06.17.2024
    Events

    The Key to Success in Bargaining

    Leonard Dietzen shared insights on the keys to successful bargaining...

    See All News See All Insights Read Beyond the Bio

    Offices

    Orlando

    300 South Orange Avenue
    Suite 1400
    Orlando, FL 32801

    407.872.7300

    Miami

    80 Southwest 8th Street
    Suite 3000
    Miami, FL 33130

    305.358.5577

    Tampa

    100 North Tampa Street
    Suite 2000
    Tampa, FL 33602

    813.223.4253

    Tallahassee

    101 North Monroe Street
    Suite 1050
    Tallahassee, FL 32301

    850.222.6550

    Birmingham

    2001 Park Place North
    Suite 1300
    Birmingham, AL 35203

    205.327.5550
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