Samantha Giudici Berdecia
Partner
t: 904.345.3281
e: samantha.giudici@adblegal.com
About Samantha
Samantha Giudici Berdecia has experience representing management in areas that span all facets of employment, including litigating disputes, federal and state agency inquiries and audits, and advice and counsel regarding compliance at the local, state, and federal levels. Samantha also leads ADB’s practice in its representation of employers, self-insured funds, carriers and third-party administrators in their defense of workers’ compensation claims throughout Florida.
Practice Areas
Wage and Hour Compliance
Represents employers in wage and hour litigation for claims of unpaid wages, minimum wage and overtime
Experienced in conducting in-house wage and hour audits of employer pay practices and job classifications to determine if employer’s current practices are in compliance with the Fair Labor Standards Act
Provides advice and counsel regarding compliance with federal and state wage and hour laws
Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation
Represents employers in discrimination and harassment claims under Title VII, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, and the Americans with Disabilities Act, as well as claims of discrimination retaliation under various state and federal employment laws at the local, state, and federal agency levels and involving state and federal litigation, including appeals
Workers’ Compensation Defense
Represents employers and insurance carriers in a wide variety of workers’ compensation matters and further provides advice and counsel on how to avoid potential disputes by successfully navigating and complying with various statutory requirements
Sex Trafficking
Advises clients and represents employers in the litigation of sex trafficking claims made pursuant to the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act (TVPRA)
Family and Medical Leave Act
Advice and counsel regarding compliance with the Family and Medical Leave Act and representation in defense of claims of violations of the law and regulations
Labor
Represents employers in arbitrations and litigation related to employment and labor issues pursuant to Collective Bargaining Agreements. Assists employers in responding to complaints made to the National Labor Relations Board.
I-9 Compliance
Represents employers in Department of Homeland Security I-9 audits; experienced in conducting in-house audits of employer practices and documentation compliance with federal immigration laws
Higher Education
Represents colleges and universities in appeals of student disciplinary decisions to the District Courts of Appeal and violations of Titles II and III of the Americans with Disabilities Act
Reemployment Assistance Appeals
Represents employers in appeals of reemployment assistance decisions made by the Department of Economic Opportunity
Regularly provides representation in Reemployment Assistance Telephonic Appeals Hearings, appeals to the Reemployment Assistance Appeals Commission and appeals to the Florida District Court of Appeal
Advice and Counsel
Provides advice and counsel to human resource professionals about personnel issues, employment policies, preparation of employment agreements and employee handbooks
Previous Experience
Prior to joining Alexander DeGance Barnett, Samantha spent 2 1/2 years with a litigation firm where she represented both management and employees in labor and employment matters. Her primary areas of focus related to Title VII discrimination and harassment, family and medical leave, disability discrimination, non-competition litigation, wage and hour compliance and enforcement, as well as unemployment appeals.
Honors & Distinctions
- Contributor to the Florida Employment Law Letter, 2009 – 2011
- Florida Contributor to 50 Employment Laws in 50 States, 2007 – 2011
- Florida Coastal School of Law Mock Trial Team Member
- Regional Finalist, Employment Law Mock Trial Competition
- Regional Finalist, National Trial Competition
Memberships
- Association of Certified E-Discovery Specialists
- The Florida Bar Association
- Jacksonville Bar Association
- Jacksonville Women’s Lawyers Association
- Jacksonville Young Lawyers Association
- National Association for College and University Attorneys
Admissions
- The Florida Bar
- U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit
- U.S. Supreme Court
Publications
- Erin Whitmore and Samantha Giudici, The Penn State Effect, Fla. Educ. L.J., July 2013 at 5
Speaking Engagements
- “Understanding the FLSA,” University of North Florida, Jacksonville, FL, March 2011
- “How to Win an Unemployment Telephonic Appeals Hearing,” Daytona Beach, FL and Jacksonville, FL, April 2011
Education
- Florida Coastal School of Law, J.D.
- Appalachian State University, B.S., summa cum laude, Political Science
Outside of the Office
A former collegiate athlete, Samantha enjoys staying active, particularly playing volleyball. She competes in both indoor and beach volleyball tournaments, making it a year-round activity.