Melissa C Mihok

I am an employment and education attorney Board Certified as an expert or specialist by the Florida Bar Association in Labor and Employment law. My practice primarily focuses on representing individuals, having achieved results against state, local, and federal government agencies, including the Department of Education (DOE) and County School Boards. I have experience in pre-lawsuit settlement efforts, negotiating severance or employment contracts, and handling cases involving discrimination, retaliation, whistleblowing, sexual harassment, and unemployment compensation. Over the years, I have represented many education professionals in proceedings before the Education Practices Commission (EPC), the Division of Administrative Hearings (DOAH) and Professional Practices at both the state and local levels. My administrative practice includes representing professionals, such as teachers, educational support personnel, and health care professionals in disciplinary proceedings. I also handle matters involving professional licensing and certification sanctions as well as wrongful termination and other collective bargaining disputes. Based primarily on my knowledge of School Boards across the state, their policies, procedures and approach to accommodations I assist students and parents in the exceptional student education program by negotiating, enforcing, and mediating Individualized Education Program (IEP) and 504 Plan requirements. My goal is to ensure that every student receives a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE). My appellate practice includes favorable outcomes from Florida District Courts of Appeal and the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals.