Overview
Paul Crucet practices in the Labor & Employment Department. He earned his J.D. from Vanderbilt University Law School and his B.A., cum laude from the University of Florida.
Paul specializes in defending employers from discrimination, retaliation, and wrongful termination claims, wage and hour claims, and charges of unfair labor practices. He advises employers on structuring and properly classifying their workforce, and assists in the preparation of independent contractor and employee agreements. Paul also counsels clients on other employment-related issues, including wage and hour practices; employee discipline; family and medical leave; employment discrimination; and disability accommodation.
Paul has extensive experience representing companies offering Applied Behavior Analysis services, which operate in the highly regulated healthcare industry. He has counseled ABA companies on general employment matters as well as issues of professional and facility licensure.
Before joining the firm, he practiced in-house at a gaming and entertainment establishment in Miami. As chief in-house counsel, Paul administered union grievances and arbitrations, defended unfair labor charges brought before the National Labor Relations Board, and engaged in labor negotiations over a new collective bargaining agreement.
Representative Experience
- Represented Cleveland Clinic Florida (“CCF”) and Cleveland Clinic Hospital (“CCH”) at trial in the United States District Court Southern District of Florida. The Plaintiff alleged that CCF, through its employed emergency medicine physician, and CCH, committed medical malpractice in failing to diagnose, treat, and admit the patient to the hospital for an abdominal infection thus leading to multiple surgeries and permanent scarring. The Plaintiff sought damages in excess of $2,000,000. The trial lasted six days (with deliberations briefly spilling over to a seventh day). CCH’s motion was granted for directed verdict at the close of our case in chief. The jury subsequently returned a verdict in favor of the remaining Defendant, CCF. The jury took less than three hours total to deliberate before finding the CCF’s emergency room physician met the standard of care in all regards as it related to the Plaintiff’s medical care.
- Obtained favorable settlement for client resulting in dismissal of sexual harassment and gender discrimination case.
- Obtained favorable settlement for client resulting in dismissal of claims for unpaid overtime wages.
- Defended client against claims of discrimination before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
- Obtained favorable settlement for client resulting in dismissal of charges of unfair labor practices by the National Labor Relations Board.
Recognition
- Invited to give a speech at the induction ceremony on behalf of newly admitted attorneys at the Third District Court of Appeals for having one of the highest bar exam scores in the state
Publications & Presentations
Publications:
Automation and the ADA
BeLabor the Point Blog|September 2019
Events:
How to Open Your Own ABA Company! Do's and Dont's Legally, Financially and Clinically
Florida Association for Behavior Analysis Annual Conference|September 2019
Publications:
An Ounce of Benefits is Worth a Pound of Pay
BeLabor the Point Blog|March 2019
Publications:
Competing for Workers: Pay More? Or Pay More Frequently?
BeLabor The Point Blog|August 2018
Publications:
Retaliation Claims: Shield, Sword, or Both?
BeLabor The Point Blog|April 2018
Newsroom
In the Media:
Stearns Weaver Team Successfully Defends Cleveland Clinic in $2M MedMal Suit
Daily Business Review|May 2019