Robert S. Turk | Stearns Weaver Miller

Overview

Very strong knowledge of the law... takes the time to really know the client and understand our business... Extremely effective at coming up with arguments and counterarguments... Well prepared, knowledgeable and a very good negotiator… one of the top traditional labor lawyers in the state

- Chambers USA 2017-2021

Robert "Bob" S. Turk is a Shareholder in the Firm and the Chair of the Labor & Employment Department. He also serves as a member of the Firm's Board of Directors. He practices in the areas of employment litigation, wage and hour representation, supervisory training, employment audits, equal employment opportunity claims, affirmative action, union avoidance, wrongful discharge, employment and union contracts, trade secrets contracts, non-competition agreements, employment policies, drug-free workplace policies and representation of unionized employers in collective bargaining.

Bob is a past Chair of the Labor & Employment Law Section of The Florida Bar and a past President of the Academy of Florida Management Attorneys. He is actively involved with the South Florida Hospitality Human Resources Association. He also lectures regularly to various legal and business groups.

Representative 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).

Professional & Community Involvement

Academy of Florida Management Attorneys (AFMA), Charter Member,
President 2011-2012
TheDaveandMaryAlper 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, 2004-2022
- Global Guide, 2020-2022
The Best Lawyers in America®, 2006-2022
- Lawyer of the Year Honoree, The Employment Law Issue, 2021
- Miami Labor Law - Management Lawyer of the Year, 2015, 2018, 2021
- Miami Litigation - Labor & Employment Lawyer of the Year, 2012, 2016
- Miami Employment Law - Management Lawyer of the Year, 2014
Florida Super Lawyers, 2006-2022
Florida Trend's Florida Legal Elite, 2004-2006; 2010; 2020
Benchmark Litigation, Labor & Employment Star, 2018-2021
Lawdragon 500 Leading Corporate Employment Lawyers, 2020
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

Publications & Presentations

Events: Is a Gratuity a Tip or Service Charge?
South Florida Hospitality Human Resources Association|May 2022

Publications: Wake Up: What Every Florida Employer Needs to Know About the “Stop WOKE Act"
BeLabor the Point Blog|April 2022

Labor & Employment News Update, Publications: And the OSHA Vax or Test Rule is Off (Again)
BeLabor the Point Blog |January 2022

Publications: SURPRISE, SURPRISE, SURPRISE! OSHA’s Vaccinate or Test Rule is Back (at least for now).
BeLabor the Point Blog|December 2021

Publications: OSHA’s COVID Vaccination Rules – What You Need To Know
BeLabor the Point Blog|November 2021

Events: NLRB Update: Where Do We Stand Now? (Part II)
The Florida Bar|October 2021

Events: Civility, Politics, and the Workplace: Oh My!
2021 HR Florida Conference & Expo|August 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: From Hiring to Firing in the Construction Industry: Practical Employment Law Advice for Florida Employers
University of Miami School of Architecture|June 2021

Events: EEOC’s ADR Mediations – An Effective Remedy for Employment Discrimination Charges Resolutions
U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)|March 2021

Publications: The 2021 Florida Legislative Session – The Graveyard for Employment-Related Proposals?
BeLabor the Point Blog|March 2021

Events: COVID-19 Vaccinations Medical and Legal Employer Update
Physicians Health Center Emerging Trends Webinar Series|February 2021

Publications: Families First Coronavirus Response Act: We Hardly Knew Ye!
BeLabor the Point Blog|December 2020

Publications: Florida’s 2021 Minimum Wage: Will We Have One Or Two Increases?
BeLabor the Point Blog|November 2020

Events: NLRB Update: Where Do We Stand Now (Part 1)
Labor and Employment Law Section CLE Seminar|October 2020

Events: What Do I Need To Know That Doesn't Start With The Word "COVID" In A New Economy
October 2020

Publications: Top Takeaways from Our Back to Work Virtual Chat
BeLabor the Point Blog|June 2020

Events: Back to Work Virtual Chat
Stearns Weaver Miller Webinar|June 2020

COVID News Update, Labor & Employment News Update, Publications: DOL Issues New FFCRA Poster and Further Guidance
BeLabor The Point Blog|March 2020

COVID News Update, Labor & Employment News Update, Publications: Federal Paid Leave Law Signed by President Trump
BeLabor The Point Blog|March 2020

Publications: Happy Holidays from Stearns Weaver Miller’s Labor & Employment Department!
BeLabor the Point Blog|December 2019

Publications: Two Turks are better than one!
BeLabor the Point Blog|October 2019

Events: FMLA & ADA Interplay
Human Resources Banking Partners Luncheon|June 2019

Publications: Gourmet Popcorn, A Lunch Buffet, and the Dating Game
BeLabor the Point Blog|May 2019

Events: The Applicant Dating Game
Stearns Weaver Miller's 29th Annual Labor and Employment Law Seminar|May 2019

Events: Are You Sherlock Holmes or Inspector Clouseau? –Conducting Workplace Investigations
Stearns Weaver Miller's Annual Tampa Labor and Employment Law Seminar|May 2019

Events: Meet the Gang – NLRB Workplace Rules, What’s Up at the EEOC, Immigration Update, Wage and Hour Hot Topics, Marijuana Update
Stearns Weaver Miller's Annual Tampa Labor and Employment Law Seminar|May 2019

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

Events: “Writing the Perfect Performance Improvement Plan”
Brightline Training Seminar|January 2019

Events: HR Rubik’s Cube: Solving the ADA, FMLA and Worker’s Compensation Prize
Emerging Trends Seminar Series|November 2018

Publications: Political Out of the Box Thinking on “Ban the Box”
BeLabor The Point Blog|October 2018

Events: NLRB Developments: A Year of Change
8th Annual South Florida's Premier Labor & Employment Law Conference|August 2018

Events: LGBT Updates: Workplace Issues and Ongoing Challenges | Miami EEOC Seminar
August 2018

Events: LGBT Updates: Workplace Issues and Ongoing Challenges | Orlando EEOC Seminar
August 2018

Labor & Employment News Update, Publications: Hotels: Want to Make a "Reservation" For Your ADA Lawsuit Now?
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|June 2018

Events: The Intern: Encouraging a Healthy Relationship Between Millennials and Baby Boomers and Avoiding Age Discrimination Claims
2018 Florida Bar Annual Convention Presidential Showcase |June 2018

Events: 15 Way to Ensure You Have the Perect Lousy Supervisor
Stearns Weaver Miller's 28th Annual Labor and Employment Law Seminar|April 2018

Events: Tips, Grats, Service Charges, Commissions, Overtime and Other Payroll Issues that Drive Hospitality Employers Crazy!
Hospitality Human Resources Association of Broward County |April 2018

Publications: REGISTRATION OPEN! 28th Annual Labor & Employment Law Seminar
BeLabor The Point Blog|March 2018

Publications: Restaurants and Hotels: Are We Reaching a “Tipping” Point on Tips?
BeLabor The Point Blog|December 2017

Publications: Florida Employees: The Good Stand Tall When Bad Things Happen
Florida Employment Law Letter|October 2017

Publications: Recovering from Hurricanes Irma and Maria | How can we help?
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update |September 2017

Publications: Florida Employees: The Good Stand Tall When Bad Things Happen
BeLabor The Point Blog|September 2017

Publications: Our group is growing – Tampa here we come!
BeLabor The Point Blog|August 2017

Publications: Top Takeaways from Our 27th Annual Labor & Employment Law Seminar
BeLabor The Point Blog|May 2017

Events: The Crystal Ball Says…. Federal Agency Actions under the Trump Administration
Stearns Weaver Miller's 27th Annual Labor and Employment Law Seminar|May 2017

Events: The Multigenerational Workplace: Boomers, X’ers and Millennials-Who is Managing Whom?
Stearns Weaver Miller's 27th Annual Labor and Employment Law Seminar|May 2017

Events: The Employee Lifecycle: Legal Considerations for Hiring and Termination
The Rural Broadband Association 2016 Legal Seminar|October 2016

Publications: How Does the National Minimum Wage Drop 14.6% – Easy, Pass Brexit!
BeLabor The Point Blog |October 2016

Publications: A Penny For Your Thoughts ... A Nickel For Your Minimum Wage
BeLabor The Point Blog|October 2016

Events: Recognizing Pokémon Problems and Other Technology Pitfalls
South Florida Hospitality Human Resources Association|August 2016

Publications: There is a New EEOC “Sheriff” in Town!
BeLabor the Point Blog|July 2016

Publications: Top Takeaways from Our 26th Annual Labor & Employment Law Seminar
BeLabor the Point Blog |June 2016

Events: We Got Game: Employment Law Learning from TV Shows of the Past
Stearns Weaver Miller's 26th Annual Labor and Employment Law Seminar|May 2016

Events: Advanced FLSA for Hospitality
Stearns Weaver Miller's 26th Annual Labor and Employment Law Seminar|May 2016

Publications: REGISTRATION OPEN! 26th Annual Labor & Employment Law Seminar
BeLabor the Point Blog |April 2016

Events: Attorney's Obligations in the Techno Age
The Florida Bar Labor & Employment Law Section Webinar|February 2016

Publications: Happy Holidays From Stearns Weaver Miller’s Labor & Employment Law Department!
BeLabor the Point Blog |December 2015

Events: Preparing for the U.S. DOL's New Salary Rules on Exempt Status
WEBINAR|December 2015

Events: Ban the Box
SMA South Florida (Society for Human Resource |November 2015

Publications: Employers Work to Limit Abusive Conduct, Bullying by Supervisors
Daily Business Review|July 2015

Publications: OMG! Your Policy Says What? Part 2
BeLabor the Point Blog |June 2015

Publications: TOP SECRET Takeaways from Our 25th Annual Labor & Employment Law Seminar
BeLabor the Point Blog |May 2015

Events: “La Oficina de mi Jefe” - Dealing with Workplace Telenovelas
Stearns Weaver Miller’s 25th Annual Labor & Employment Law Seminar |May 2015

Publications: Unions’ Dream of “Quickie” Elections, Now a Reality
BeLabor the Point Blog |April 2015

Publications: REGISTRATION OPEN! 25th Annual Labor & Employment Law Seminar
BeLabor the Point Blog |February 2015

Events: Recent Litigation Trends in Regular Rate of Pay, Bonuses, Commissions and Overtime, and the Latest Claims Arising from the Fair Minimum Wage Act and Tipped Employees Under the FLSA
American Conference Institute's 23rd Wage & Hour Claims and Class Actions Conference |January 2015

Publications: Pro Rata, Quid Pro Quo, Severance Agreement, Lawsuit – Uh-Oh!
BeLabor the Point Blog |November 2014

Publications: The Top HR “Need To Knows” About the Affordable Care Act
BeLabor the Point Blog |October 2014

Events: EEO Monopoly: An Employment Law Game Show
2014 Greater Miami Society for Human Resource Management GMSHRM Legal Update|September 2014

Publications: BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND! “New Claim on the Horizon: Family Responsibilities Discrimination” Seminar
BeLabor the Point Blog |August 2014

Events: 2014 Legal Update
South Florida Hospitality Human Resources Association Seminar|July 2014

Publications: Encore Performances from Our Annual Labor & Employment Law Seminar to Start in the Fall
BeLabor the Point Blog |July 2014

Publications: Florida Legislative Development: Corporations for the “Socially-Minded”
BeLabor the Point Blog |July 2014

Events: Wage and Hour Traps: What Every Employer Needs to Stop Doing Now!
Association of Corporate Counsel Sports & Entertainment Committee Webcast|June 2014

Events: Interactive “Employment Discrimination – Do Juries Carry A Full Set of Clubs?”
Stearns Weaver Miller’s 24th Annual Labor and Employment Law Seminar|May 2014

Publications: Economic Impact of Sony Open Tennis in Miami
BeLabor the Point Blog |April 2014

Events: Ethical Issues in Hiring, Supervising and Parting Ways With Law Firm Employees
Martin County Bar Association|September 2013

Events: Employment Law Surprises: The 2013 Edition
Stearns Weaver Miller’s 23rd Annual Labor and Employment Law Seminar|May 2013

Publications: Florida Employment Law Manual
Florida Chamber of Commerce|January 2013

Events: The Seven Most Intriguing Employment Issues for 2012
Stearns Weaver Miller’s 22nd Annual Labor and Employment Law Seminar|May 2012

Events: 2011 Greater Miami Society for Human Resource Management GMSHRM Legal Update
Miami|September 2011

Events: Something Wicked This Way Comes: Why South Florida Hotels Need to Know What Is Happening at the NLRB and DOL in DC
South Florida Hospitality Human Resources Association|August 2011

Events: Legal Tips on Tip Credit, Tip Pooling and the Service Charge - Does Anybody Really Understand How to Pay from Gratuities?
Hospitality Human Resources Association of Broward County |August 2011

Events: Ethics Issues in Hiring, Supervising, and Parting Ways with Law Firm Employees
The Florida Bar 2011 Employment Law Overview for Law Firms and Law Practices|June 2011

Events: A New Declaration of Independence: Consultants, Contingent Workers, Leased Employees and Independent Contractors
Stearns Weaver Miller’s 21st Annual Labor & Employment Law Seminar|May 2011

Events: HR Insights 2011: An Evolving World in HR
Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce |March 2011

Events: Jerks At Work: Dealing With Bullies, Bums And Baddies
Stearns Weaver Miller’s 20th Annual Labor and Employment Law Seminar|May 2010

Events: What's the New Miami-Dade Wage Theft Ordinance All About?
Webinar|March 2010

Events: Discrimination “Hot Spots
Labor and Employment Law Advanced Practices Symposium|November 2009

Events: The Deposition – What It Is, Why It Is, and Why HR Should Care About It
2009 Greater Miami Society for Human Resource Management GMSHRM Legal Update |September 2009

Publications: The Latest in Labor Law
Labor & Employment|June 2009

Events: Barack To The Future
Stearns Weaver Miller’s 19th Annual Labor and Employment Law Seminar |May 2009

Events: Meet Your New Business Partner... The Union!
Stearns Weaver Miller Labor & Employment Breakfast Series|October 2008

Events: Managers' Blunders and Bloopers - How to Avoid Costly Errors that Can Lead to Legal Liability
Greater Miami Society for Human Resource Management (GMSHRM)|July 2008

Events: The Top Ten Employment Laws Human Resources Professionals Do Not Believe Are True
Stearns Weaver Miller’s 18th Annual Labor & Employment Law Seminar|May 2008

Publications: South Florida Business Journal, Columnist
January 1991

Publications: Editorial Review Board Member
Florida Labor Law Newsletter|January 1991