Robert S. Turk

Notable Experience

• Partners with clients on innovative changes to the workplace and restructuring of workforce.
• Defends employers in federal and state court on claims including: race, sex, national origin, disability, religion, pregnancy, and other protected categories.
• Defends employers in federal and state courts on wage and hour claims (individual and “class action”).
• Defends employers in state and federal courts on breach of contract claims, state discrimination claims, whistleblower and workers’ compensation retaliation.
• Defends employers before federal, state and local administrative enforcement agencies on a full range of employment-related claims.
• Drafts handbook and workplace policies, counsels employers regarding policy implementation.
• Regularly trains supervisors and employees on labor and employment laws and harassment-free workplace issues.
• Advises employers on unions corporate campaigns and on obligations under the National Labor Relations Act, and represents employers before the National Labor Relations Board.
• Negotiates collective bargaining agreements on behalf of employers in the hospitality, healthcare and services industries.
• Song-writer: two “employment-related” song parodies (neither of which has made the pop charts).

Credentials

Education

• J.D., University of North Carolina School of Law, 1978
• B.A., University of North Carolina, 1975
  • Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society

Admissions

• Florida
• United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
• United States District Courts for the Middle and Southern Districts of Florida

Certifications

• Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Labor and Employment Law

Professional & Community Involvement

• Academy of Florida Management Attorneys (AFMA)
  • Charter Member, 2000-Present
  • President 2011-2012
• The Dave and Mary Alper Jewish Community Center
  • President 2011-2014
  • Board of Directors 2003-2010, 2015, 2017-2019
• The Florida Bar, Labor and Employment Law Section, 1978-Present
  • Chair, 2013-2014
  • Chair-Elect, 2012-2013
  • Secretary/Treasurer, 2011-2012
  • Legal Education Director 2010 – 2011
  • Executive Council, 1987-2001, 2008-2010, 2014-Present
  • Certification Committee, 2000-2003
  • Co-Chair, Wage and Hour Liaison Committee, 1994-1996
  • Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s Liaison, Chair 1988-1991
• Employment Law Alliance, Founding Member
• American Bar Association, Labor and Employment Law Committee, 1978-2009, 2016-Present
• Florida International University, Council of 100, 1990-2001
• Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, Drug and Crime Prevention Legislative Committee, Chair, 1989-1995
• South Florida Hospitality Human Resources Association, 2001-Present
• Coconut Grove Playhouse, Board of Trustees 2000-2006
• “Florida Labor Law Newsletter,” Editorial Review Board Member, 1997-2000

Recognition

• Chambers USA, Labor & Employment (Florida), Band 1, 2004-Present
  • Global Guide, 2020-2022
• The Best Lawyers in America®,  2006-Present
  • Miami Labor Law – Management Lawyer of the Year, 2015, 2018, 2021, 2023
  • Miami Litigation – Labor & Employment Lawyer of the Year, 2012, 2016, 2025
  • Miami Employment Law – Management Lawyer of the Year, 2014
• Florida Super Lawyers, 2006-Present
• Thomson Reuters Stand-out Lawyer, 2025
• Florida Trend’s Florida Legal Elite, 2004-2006; 2010; 2020
  • Legal Elite NOTABLE – Labor & Employment Lawyers, 2024
• Benchmark Litigation, Labor & Employment Star, 2018-2022, 2024
• Lawdragon 500 Leading Corporate Employment Lawyers, 2020; 2023-2025
• The College of Labor & Employment Lawyers, Fellow, 2016-Present
• ALM – South Florida’s Top Rated Lawyer, Labor and Employment Law, 2013
• South Florida Legal Guide
  • “Top Lawyers in Labor and Employment,” 2010-2012
  • “Top Lawyers in South Florida,” 2005-2013
• South Florida Legal Guide
  • “Heavy Hitter in Human Resources,” 2004
  • Key Partners Awards, Finalist Labor and Employment, 2008
• The Florida Bar
  • Labor and Employment Law Section, Award of Excellence, 1992, 1993 and 2000
  • Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Labor and Employment Law Section Continuing Legal Education Program, 1992 and 2001
• AV Rated by Martindale-Hubbell