Gail Holtzman

Partner | Employment, Labor, and Benefits

gail.holtzman@pierferd.com
+1.813.335.8204 cell
+1.813.556.6893 office
Tampa
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About
Credentials
Experience
News & Insights

About

Gail Golman Holtzman is a labor and employment attorney with more than 40 years of experience, including as in-house counsel. Ms. Holtzman is a trusted advisor to employers, including Fortune 100 companies seeking to manage risk with their human capital. She has led investigations and been a national speaker on a myriad of employment topics, including discrimination, harassment, and board governance.

  • Gail has represented clients in a myriad of labor and employment matters, including employment discrimination, harassment and retaliation, disability, leaves of absence, employment agreements and policies, wage & hour compliance, post-employment restrictive covenants, occupational safety and health, and reductions in force. In addition, Gail has represented clients in matters before the National Labor Relations Board, where she served as a law clerk to a Board member.

    Gail is an elected member of the American Bar Association (“ABA”) Board of Governors and also serves as liaison from ABA Section of Labor & Employment Law to the Commission on Women in the Legal Profession. Gail previously served as ABA Labor and Employment Law Section Chair and Management Chair of the Employment Rights & Responsibilities Committee.

    As a recognized leading business lawyer, Gail is ranked in the Chambers & Partners USA guide in the “Labor & Employment” category for Florida. AV-Rated by Martindale Hubbell, Gail has been honored by her peers, being voted to the Best Lawyers in America and has been listed as “Top Rated” by Florida Super Lawyers for Employment Litigation. Additionally, Gail was named a finalist as “Business Woman of the Year” by the Tampa Bay Business Journal.

    Gail is certified by the Supreme Court of Florida as a Circuit Civil Mediator and has served as a mediator for private and public entities. She was elected a Fellow of the College of Labor and Employment Lawyers. Gail is a member of the Florida Bar and District of Columbia Bar.

Practices

  • Employment and Labor

Admissions

  • Florida

  • District of Columbia

  • U.S. Supreme Court

  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit

  • U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida

  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida

  • U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida

Education

  • The George Washington University Law School, J.D., 1984

  • University of Illinois, M.A., 1980

  • University of Illinois, B.A., 1974

Professional Associations and Activities

  • American Bar Association, Member, Board of Governors, 2024-2027

  • American Bar Association, Section of Labor and Employment Law, Liaison to Commission on Women in the Profession

  • American Bar Association, Section of Labor and Employment Law, Past Chair

  • Past ABA Labor and Employment Law Section Leadership Roles:

    • Co-Chair, Third Annual Section Conference, Washington, D.C.

    • Co-Chair, Committee on Employment Rights and Responsibilities (ERR) and

    • Trial Advocacy and Legislative Developments Subcommittee

    • Co-Chair, Equal Opportunity in the Legal Profession Committee (now Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee)

    • Co-Chair, Mentoring Subcommittee of Marketing Committee

    • Section Nominating Committee

    • Co-Chair, Regional Employment Litigation Skills Training Program

    • Speaker/Presenter, ABA national conferences and meetings

  • Fellow, College of Labor and Employment Lawyers

  • Fellow, American Bar Foundation

  • The Academy of Florida Management Attorneys, Past President, Nominating Committee

  • Employment Law Forum, Steering Committee

  • Member, William Reece Smith Inn of Court

  • Florida Court-Appointed Arbitrator

  • Supreme Court of Florida, Certified Circuit Civil Mediator

Honors and Recognition

  • The Best Lawyers in America®, “Employment Law - Management, “Labor Law - Management” and “Litigation - Labor and Employment” (2017-present)

  • Chambers USA, “Recognized Practitioner” (2019, 2021-2025)

  • Martindale-Hubbell, “AV Preeminent - Peer Rated for Highest Level of Professional Achievement”

  • Super Lawyers®, “Super Lawyer” since 2006

  • Tampa Bay Business Journal, 2006 “Business Woman of the Year Award” Finalist

Experience

  • Taylor Duma LLP

In the News

Speaking and Presentations

  • “The Movement to Diversify Corporate Boards and How to Position Yourself for a Directorship, ABA 14th Annual Labor and Employment Conference, November 2020 (Panelist)

  • “The Board’s Role in Shaping Corporate Culture,” Podcast, Allegis Partners (2018)

  • “Confessions from the Board Room,” Florida Diversity Council (Tampa, FL, September 2018) (Panelist)

  • “Criminal Record Discrimination and Ban the Box Initiatives,” 2016 National CLE Conference, Colorado Bar Association (Vail, CO, January 2016) (speaker)

  • “Diversifying Leadership Positions Within the Section of Labor and Employment Law,” ABA Webinar (2013) (moderator)

  • “Essentials of Employment Law,” Sterling Education Services (Tampa, FL, January 2016) (presenter)

  • “For Whom the Employee’s Whistle Blows: Emerging Issues and Strategies in Responding to Whistleblower and Retaliation Cases,” Employment Law Forum (Charlottesville, VA, 2013) (moderator)

  • “Future of Labor and Employment Law,” Conference Board Council Meeting (New York, 2017)

  • “Harassment and Discrimination in the Workplace,” Essentials of Employment Law, Sterling Education Services (Tampa, FL, January 2016) (presenter)

  • “It’s Sizzling: Hot Topics in Labor and Employment Law and Practical Solutions for Employers,” Hillsborough County Dental Association (Tampa, FL, 2014) (presenter)

  • “It’s Sizzling—Hottest Topics in Labor and Employment Law and Best Practices for Employers,” Vistage (Tampa, FL, 2015) (presenter)

  • “Labor and Employment Law and Best Practices for Employers,” CareerSource Pinellas Business Seminar Series (Clearwater, FL, 2015) (presenter)

  • “You Can’t Make This Stuff Up! The Everyday Advice Gleaned from Extreme Employment Law Cases,” ABA Employment Rights & Responsibilities Committee Midwinter Meeting (Naples, FL, 2015) (presenter)

  • “Third Party Harassment: Creative Claims & Proactive Defenses,” 2015 National CLE Conference, Colorado Bar Association (Vail, CO, 2015) (presenter)

  • “Legalizing Marijuana and its Impact on Employers,” RNG Tampa Bay Board Meeting (Tampa, FL, 2014) (presenter)

  • “Mediating Employment Law Cases: Lessons to be Learned from Collective Bargaining Mediation,” ABA Webinar (2013) (moderator)

  • “Strategies for Successful Mediation and Pre-Dispute Resolution,” ABA Employment Litigation Skills Training (2013) (presenter)

  • “Understanding and Preparing for Workplace Violence,” Wells Fargo Insurance (Tampa, FL, 2014) (presenter)

  • “Understanding and Preparing for Workplace Violence,” CareerSource Pinellas Business Seminar Series (Clearwater, FL, 2015) (presenter)

  • “Updates and Developments in Labor and Employment Law: Best Practices for Employers,” Association of Legal Administrators (Tampa, FL, 2014) (presenter)

  • “Women in the Law: From Law School Majority to Practicing Minority,” George Washington University National Law Center (Washington, D.C., 2014) (moderator)

  • “Caregiver Responsibility Discrimination: Are You One Sick Kid Away From Losing Your Job,” ABA 7th Annual CLE Conference (New Orleans, LA, 2013) (presenter)

Publications

  • Employment Arbitration: Law and Practice (Thomson West, 2008) [Co-Author]

  • Chapter Author, Employment Termination: Rights and Remedies, 2d.Ed. (BNA)