Melanie R. Leitman

Melanie R. Leitman is a Shareholder in the Labor & Employment, Litigation & Appeals, Administrative Law & Regulatory Compliance, and Marital & Family Law Groups. Her practice focuses on employment defense litigation and Human Resources consultation. Melanie has experience representing management-side clients in various employment-related claims, including Chapter 760, Title VII, ADA, FMLA, FLSA, whistleblower retaliation claims, drafting and enforcement/defense of covenants prohibiting competition, and constitutional claims arising out of employment disputes. She has represented clients in pre-claim consultation, EEOC/FCHR position statements and investigations, state/federal court litigation, and appellate disposition thereof.

Melanie also represents clients in civil and administrative litigation, including state constitutional issues, tort defense, general business and contract disputes, rule challenges, licensure and discipline matters, other litigation under Chapter 120, Florida Statutes as well as state and federal appellate advocacy arising out of these areas.

Secured summary judgment and Eleventh Circuit affirmance, with written opinion, for school board in a Title VII race claim .
Represented a large federally-funded health center employer in litigation brought under the Church Amendment by out-of-state special-interest law firm on behalf of a job applicant.
Represented large private employer in on-site EEOC investigation and administrative subpoena.
Represented a Clerk of Court in a constitutional challenge of statutes which affect its funding.
Represented a state agency in a whistleblower jury trial which the appellate court later found should have been disposed of in defendant’s favor on a motion for directed verdict. Managed all post-verdict procedures, damages evaluation, and taxation of fees and costs before the appeal as well as the remand and entry of judgment for the state agency.

America’s Second Harvest of the Big Bend, Board Member, 2019-Present
- Secretary, 2021-Present
Florida Association for Women Lawyers, Present
William H. Stafford American Inn of Court, 2017-Present
- Secretary, 2019-Present
Tallahassee Women Lawyers, 2011-Present
Student Education and Admission to the Bar Committee, 2013-2020
Labor and Employment Law Section of the Florida Bar – Law School Liaison Committee
Gulf Winds Track Club
Gulf Winds Triathletes

Super Lawyers, Rising Star, 2015-2021
Tallahassee Democrat, 25 Women You Need to Know, 2020

Events: New Developments in Religious Discrimination Compliance: The Times They are A-Changin’ – AGAIN
2021 HR Florida Conference & Expo|August 2021

Events: Administrative Law Appellate Case Law Update
Department of Financial Services Lunch and Learn|August 2021

Publications: President Biden Encourages FTC to Address Restrictive Covenant Agreements
BeLabor the Point Blog|July 2021

Events, Firm Announcements, In the Media, Labor & Employment News Update, Publications: Breaking Through the Noise: Labor & Employment Issues Post-Pandemic
Stearns Weaver Miller News Program Special|June 2021

Events: Appellate Case Law Update (Part III of the Series)
Florida Bar's Administrative Law Updates Webinar Series|June 2021

Publications: Appellate Case Notes
Administrative Law Section of The Florida Bar Newsletter|June 2021

Publications: Labor & Employment-Related Laws from 2020 Florida Legislative Session
BeLabor the Point Blog|August 2020

Publications: Appellate Case Notes
Administrative Law Section of The Florida Bar Newsletter|June 2020

Government & Administrative News Update, Publications: Crème de law Admin | Winter 2020
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|February 2020

Publications: Employment Laws Percolating Through the Florida Legislature
BeLabor the Point Blog|February 2020

Publications: NLRB Speak on Employee Handbook Provisions (Again). Private Sector Employers Take Note.
BeLabor the Point Blog|July 2019

Publications: Our Group is Growing Again – Tallahassee Here We Come!
BeLabor the Point Blog|January 2019

Events, Firm Announcements, In the Media, Labor & Employment News Update, Publications: Breaking Through the Noise: Labor & Employment Issues Post-Pandemic
Stearns Weaver Miller News Program Special|June 2021

Firm Announcements: Stearns Weaver Miller Lawyers Recognized in 2021 Florida Super Lawyers
June 2021

In the Media: Hear from Marlins, Fisher Island and EEOC leaders about post-COVID labor issues
Miami Herald|June 2021

Firm Announcements: Stearns Weaver Miller Names Four New Shareholders
September 2020

Firm Announcements: Stearns Weaver Miller honored with 2020 Tallahassee Women Lawyers Diversity & Inclusion Leadership Award
June 2020

Firm Announcements: Stearns Weaver Miller Lawyers Recognized in 2020 Florida Super Lawyers
June 2020

In the Media: 25 Women: Melanie Leitman runs between legal work, volunteering
Tallahassee Democrat|March 2020

Firm Announcements: Melanie Leitman Named One of Tallahassee’s 2020 “Women You Need to Know”
March 2020

In the Media: Here are the 25 Women You Need To Know and Five Young Women to Watch for 2020
Tallahassee Democrat|February 2020

Firm Announcements: Stearns Weaver Miller Lawyers Recognized in Florida Super Lawyers 2019
June 2019