Karly A. Wannos, Esq.  

Karly A. Wannos is the Founder of The Wannos Law Firm, P.A. and a Florida Supreme Court Certified Circuit Mediator and Arbitrator with more than 20 years of experience handling employment law matters for both employers and employees. Drawing on decades of litigation experience representing both plaintiffs and defendants, Mrs. Wannos brings a balanced, practical, and informed perspective to the resolution of workplace disputes.

Karly A.  Wannos is a Florida employment attorney, employment mediator and an experienced arbitrator with more than 20 years of experience handling complex employment litigation matters. Her practice focuses exclusively on employment law matters involving discrimination, harassment and retaliation under Title VII and the Florida Civil Rights Act; alleged violations of unpaid wages and overtime under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA); violation and interference under the Family Medical Leave Act (FLSA); whistleblower retaliation; workers compensation retaliation and disputes regarding employment agreements.

Ms. Wannos has represented both employers and employees in Florida state and federal courts and before the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and Department of Labor (DOL). As a longtime trial attorney who has represented both plaintiffs and defendants, Ms. Wannos brings extensive litigation experience, practical judgment, and a balanced perspective to the resolution of complex disputes. She has successfully concluded hundreds of cases through trial, arbitration, mediation, or settlement, giving her a thorough understanding of the legal, financial, and practical considerations that affect the outcome of a case.

As a mediator, Ms. Wannos draws upon her extensive trial and litigation experience to help parties realistically evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of their cases, the risks associated with continued litigation, and the potential outcomes at trial. Having spent two decades litigating complex and often highly emotional matters, she understands the challenges faced by both sides of a dispute and the importance of identifying the issues that may stand between the parties and resolution.

Ms. Wannos approaches mediation and arbitration with a focus on preparation, thoughtful evaluation, and effective communication. Her experience in the courtroom allows her to assess cases from the perspective of a trial lawyer, including the evidence, credibility of witnesses, applicable law, potential jury considerations, damages, and the costs and risks associated with proceeding to trial. Her goal is to help parties and counsel make informed decisions and identify practical solutions that allow them to resolve their disputes without the uncertainty and expense of continued litigation.

Before establishing her neutral practice, Ms. Wannos spent two decades as a trial attorney practicing exclusively employment law. She began her legal career in West Palm Beach, Florida where she began as an Associate and then became a Partner in both a large litigation firm. During her career, she has appeared in state and federal courts throughout Florida and has handled matters through discovery, dispositive motions, mediation, arbitration and trial.

Ms. Wannos earned her Bachelor of Science in Finance from the University of Florida and her Juris Doctor from Barry University School of Law. She is admitted to practice in Florida and before the United States District Courts for the Middle, Northern, and Southern Districts of Florida.  In addition to being a Florida Supreme Court Certified Circuit Civil Mediator and on the arbitration panels of the American Arbitration Association, she is also an Association of Workplace Investigator Certificate Holder (AWI-CH) and a member of The Florida Bar.

Ms. Wannos also conducts impartial workplace investigations and also advises clients on employment agreements, independent contractor agreements, severance agreements and navigation of workplace disputes.

Bar Admissions

• Florida

Court Admissions

• 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

Certifications

• Florida Supreme Court Certified Circuit Mediator
• American Arbitration Association,  Employment Arbitrator Panel and Affiliate Mediator
• Association of Workplace Investigations, AWI Certificate Holder

Professional Affiliations

• Florida Bar, Labor & Employment Section Member 
• Florida Bar, Alternate Dispute Resolution Section Member
• Florida Academy of Professional Mediators