Langston, Hess, Shepard & Augustine, P.A.

Appellate Practice

Langston Hess has an extensive appellate practice. The Firm conducts appellate work in the areas of insurance defense, commercial litigation, municipal and governmental law, and appeals of workers’ compensation cases. Members of the firm are approved to conduct oral arguments in all state and federal courts, including the United States Supreme Court.

Arbitration and Mediation

The mission of the Firm's Alternative Dispute Resolution team is to assist clients in the prevention, management, and resolution of disputes. We use Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), negotiation, and litigation as complementary tools to help our clients achieve their business objectives in a manner consistent with their corporate values. Our Supreme Court Certified Circuit Court Mediator has broad experience in ADR models, including arbitration, mediation (pre-suit and post-suit), case evaluation, private judging, tiered resolution systems, facilitation, consensus building, negotiation training, and coaching.

Condominium and Homeowners Association

The Firm represents Homeowners Associations and Condominium Associations in all areas of litigation and provides legal opinions on the many aspects of community management. It is the Firm's goal to assist with the Association's long term objectives and in the effective managment of the Association.

Employment, Severance and Separation Agreements

The firm represents employers, management and employees in matters involving all types of employment contracts, including severance and separation agreements. We prepare each type of agreement for our clients, and assist clients in evaluating existing or proposed agreements. The firm also aggressively litigates claims based on employment agreements. This department is headed by a board certified specialist in labor and employment law.

Insurance Defense Litigation

The Firm's liability section represents many major insurance companies, small and mid-sized insurers, and self-insured companies. The Firm has represented clients in all aspects of insurance defense, including coverage disputes. Our attorneys are qualified to represent clients in state and federal courts in Florida and our excellent reputation in all trial and appellate courts comes from thorough preparation and years of experience.

Labor & Employment Law

The Firm's Labor and Employment department is headed by a board certified specialist in labor and employment law. The Firm routinely represents employers and management in issues relating to discrimination (including claims under Title VII, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act and the Florida Civil Rights Act), harassment, retaliation, employee compensation (including overtime claims under the Fair Labor Standards Act) and termination, as well as compliance with federal, state and local laws concerning the workplace. The Labor and Employment department focuses on practical, cost-effective solutions for its clients. The Firm regularly handles litigation in the state and federal courts and before administrative bodies such as the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the Department of Labor (DOL), the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), as well as private arbitration entities such as the American Arbitration Association (AAA). Besides litigation, the firm also offers proactive guidance and counseling in employment policies, contracts and other related matters.

Non-Compete Agreements

The firm represents both employers and employees in matters involving non-compete, non-disclosure, non-solicitation and confidentiality agreements. We represent clients in all phases of litigation, including seeking and opposing temporary injunctions. The firm also drafts these agreements, and provides practical counseling and analysis of existing agreements prior to litigation. This department is headed by a board certified specialist in labor and employment law.

Workers' Compensation

The Firm represents self-insured employers, insurance companies, and servicing agents throughout the State of Florida in all aspects of Workers' Compensation Law including Longshore & Harbor Workers' Compensation. Four of our attorneys are board certified Workers'Compensation law experts approved by the Florida Bar Board of Legal Specialization and Education. Our attorneys include the former Chairs of the Workers' Compensation Section of the Florida Bar and the Florida Bar Workers' Compensation Certification Committee.