 Robert Paradela, Jr. Office: Fort Lauderdale Direct: (954) 847-4828 reparadela@wickersmith.com Practice Areas: Admitted to Practice:
University of Virginia School of Law (J.D., 2020) Florida State University (B.S., cum laude, 2017) Born: |
Robert Paradela, Jr.BiographyRobert “Rob” Paradela, Jr. is a partner in Wicker Smith’s Fort Lauderdale office handling labor and employment matters. Rob represents corporate clients in a broad range of employment disputes, with a particular focus on fast-moving litigation involving restrictive covenants, trade secrets, and unfair competition. He has litigated disputes involving non-compete, non-solicitation, and confidentiality obligations, and advises employers on protecting proprietary information and navigating employee departures and competitive hiring issues. His practice also includes defending employers in discrimination, retaliation, wage and hour, and wrongful termination matters. He has appeared in both state and federal court, as well as before state and federal administrative agencies such as the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Florida Commission on Human Relations, the Department of Labor, and the Department of Administrative Hearings. Prior to joining Wicker Smith in 2024, Rob spent two years representing Fortune 500 companies in employment law matters at a global AmLaw 10 firm. Rob attended Florida State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Political Science. He graduated cum laude in 2017 and continued on to University of Virginia School of Law where he earned his Juris Doctor in 2020. Outside of practicing law, Rob enjoys traveling, golfing and scuba diving. Professional & Civic Affiliations
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Robert Paradela, Jr. - Partner
Robert Paradela, Jr.
Partner
Email: reparadela@wickersmith.com
Direct: (954) 847-4828
Office: Fort Lauderdale
Profile
Robert “Rob” Paradela, Jr. is a partner in Wicker Smith’s Fort Lauderdale office handling labor and employment matters.
Rob represents corporate clients in a broad range of employment disputes, with a particular focus on fast-moving litigation involving restrictive covenants, trade secrets, and unfair competition. He has litigated disputes involving non-compete, non-solicitation, and confidentiality obligations, and advises employers on protecting proprietary information and navigating employee departures and competitive hiring issues. His practice also includes defending employers in discrimination, retaliation, wage and hour, and wrongful termination matters. He has appeared in both state and federal court, as well as before state and federal administrative agencies such as the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Florida Commission on Human Relations, the Department of Labor, and the Department of Administrative Hearings.
Prior to joining Wicker Smith in 2024, Rob spent two years representing Fortune 500 companies in employment law matters at a global AmLaw 10 firm.
Rob attended Florida State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Political Science. He graduated cum laude in 2017 and continued on to University of Virginia School of Law where he earned his Juris Doctor in 2020.
Outside of practicing law, Rob enjoys traveling, golfing and scuba diving.
vCard
Credentials
Education
University of Virginia School of Law (J.D., 2020)
Florida State University (B.S., cum laude, 2017)
Representative Matters
Favorable Resolution of a Compensation Dispute
Plaintiff sued our client and another party in arbitration over an alleged failure to pay the Plaintiff deferred compensation allegedly owed to him. We settled the case as to our client, but it remains ongoing against the other party.
Worker’s Compensation Retaliation Claim Resolved Prior to Litigation
We represented the interests of a locally owned florist shop in a matter in which claimant alleged wrongful termination as a result of her making a worker’s comp claim. We engaged with her counsel and resolved the matter before it ever went into litigation.
Provided Counsel on a RIF Issue
We provided advice and counsel to a local cleaning company on how best to handle a large-scale reduction in force at a plant that had to be closed.
Representation of a National Trucking Company in a Wrongful Termination Suit
Plaintiff was constructively discharged from his position at our client’s trucking company and subsequently filed suit, alleging discrimination based on his age and disability status. The case was resolved favorably for all parties in the early stages of litigation.
Practices
Education
University of Virginia School of Law (J.D., 2020)
Florida State University (B.S., cum laude, 2017)
Credentials
Admitted to Bar
- 2026, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida
- 2024, U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida
- 2022, U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida
- 2022, State of Florida
- 2021, State of New York
Professional Affiliations
- The Florida Bar
- The New York Bar
Languages
English
