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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 Board 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 Attorney 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)

    • Lawyer of the Year, Best Lawyers in America for Labor Law-Management (2022)
    • Listed in Best Lawyers in America, Employment Law-Management; Labor Law-Management; Litigation-Labor and Employment, 2018-2023
    • Listed in Florida Super Lawyers, Employment & Labor, 2012- 2021
    • Listed in Florida Trend Legal Elite 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2019, 2021

    • 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, "Body-Worn Cameras: Proceed with Caution", Florida Municipal Attorneys Association, July 2015
    • Presenter, "Body-Worn Cameras: Proceed with Caution", Florida Police Chiefs Association, June 2015
    • Presenter, "Tips to Avoid Employment Lawsuits and FMLA Update", Madison County and Public Risk Insurance Agency (PRIA), June 2015
    • Author, "Body-Worn Cameras for Law Enforcement Officers – Caution While Blazing a Trail", Law and Order The Magazine for Police Management , 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
    • Presenter, "Body-worn Cameras Proceed with Caution", Public Risk Underwriters, March 2015
    • Speaker, "Hot Issues in Public School Collective Bargaining", Florida Educational Negotiators, February 2015
    • Presenter, "Labor Laws Facing the Chief of Police", Florida Police Chiefs’ Association, February 2015
    • Author, "Body-Worn Cameras for Law Enforcement Officers: Many Questions, Few Answers", Florida Sheriffs Risk Management Fund E-newsletter, Winter 2015
    • Author, "Body-Worn Cameras for Law Enforcement Officers: Many Questions, Few Answers", Florida Police Chiefs’ Association Red Alert to all members, January 2015
    • Presenter, "Public Records and Sunshine Law Update", Ethics Training Florida School Boards Association, December 2014
    • Co-Author, "New Red Light Camera Case Stops More Than Just Traffic ", October 2014
    • Presenter, "How to Save Agency Money: Don’t Get Sued!", Florida Police Chiefs’ Association, September 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
    • Presenter, "Best Practices in Electronic Communications", Florida Police Chiefs’ Association, January 2014
    • Presenter, "Public Records and Sunshine Law Update", Ethics Training Florida School Boards Association, December 2013
    • Presenter, "Collective Bargaining Dos and Don’ts", North East Florida Educational Consortium, October 2013
    • Presenter, "Public Records Update", Ethics Training – Florida Association of District School Superintendents , September 2013
    • Presenter, "Labor Law for Advanced Chief", Florida Police Chiefs’ Association, August 2013
    • Speaker, "Legal Expectations for the Chief (Ethics, Integrity and Transparency)", Summer Conference Florida Police Chiefs’ Association, June 2013
    • Presenter, "Financial Urgency: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly", 33rd Annual Spring Training Program Florida Educational Negotiators, May 2013
    • Presenter, "Public Records and Email Pitfalls", Spring Conference – Florida Association of District School Superintendents, March 2013
    • Presenter, "Tips for Avoiding Employment Lawsuits", Panhandle Training (to all employees) Public Risk Insurance Agency, February 2013
    • Webinar Presenter, "Collective Bargaining Dos and Don'ts." The webinar sponsored by the Florida Police Chiefs Association and hosted by the Center for Florida Local Government Excellence. July 2012.
    • Presenter, "Hot Topics in Collective Bargaining" to the Florida Educational Risk Management Association in Sarasota, FL, July 2012
    • Presenter, "Public Records" to the Florida School Finance Officers' Association in Melbourne, FL, June 2012
    • "Social Media and Off-Duty Conduct of Public Employees," PGIT Newsletter, January 2012
    • "Public Records," Annual Mid-Winter Training, Police Chiefs Association, January 2012

    Leonard's News and Insights

    See All News See All Insights Read Beyond the Bio
    Drag
    01.11.2023
    Government and Administrative

    The Who, What, Where and Why of Florida’s Public Records Law, and How to Avoid Pitfalls

    Public agencies commonly slip up when navigating Florida’s public records...

    10.26.2022
    Government and Administrative

    Florida Public Records Laws: Avoiding the Pitfalls and Mistakes that Lead to Expensive and Costly Litigation

    Florida has the most open public records law in the...

    10.10.2022
    Education

    First Amendment Wheel Doesn’t Stop Spinning: What Risk Managers Need to Know for the New School Year

    As the school year begins, a heightened focus has been...

    Photo: shutterstock.com/zimmytws
    08.19.2022
    Firm News

    23 RumbergerKirk Attorneys Named to Best Lawyers in America© 2023

    Orlando, Fla., August 18, 2022 – RumbergerKirk is pleased to...

    08.12.2022
    Media Mentions

    Orlando Organized: National Trend in Unionizing Efforts Hits Central Florida Market, Orlando Business Journal

    Leonard Dietzen talked with the Orlando Business Journal about the...

    08.04.2022
    Media Mentions

    How Florida’s Worker Environment Affects Labor Union Formation,” Orlando Business Journal

    Employment and labor attorney Leonard Dietzen talks with the Orlando...

    07.11.2022
    Education

    Second DCA Finds School Board Investigative Communications Not Entitled to Attorney-Client Privilege: Provides Lifeline to District Employees

    In a recent decision, the Second District Court of Appeal...

    Photo:Shutterstock/Yuriy K
    06.27.2022
    Government and Administrative

    Relief for Local Governments and Taxpayers: Court Limits Attorneys’ Fees Under Sunshine Law

    Section 119, Florida Statutes, called the “Sunshine Law”, was designed...

    Photo: Shutterstock.com/Casper1774 Studio
    03.17.2022
    Employment and Labor

    Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act of 2021

    This is an update to the original article posted on...

    Photo: Shutterstock/Tang Yan Song
    11.22.2021
    Employment and Labor

    Governor DeSantis Signs New COVID-19 Related Laws that Have Immediate Effect in Florida

    As all are keenly aware, the COVID-19 pandemic and its...

    Photo: Shutterstock/gguy
    See All News See All Insights Read Beyond the Bio

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    407.872.7300

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    Suite 120
    Tallahassee, FL 32301

    850.222.6550

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    Suite 1300
    Birmingham, AL 35203

    205.327.5550
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