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Austin Laurienzo photograph

Austin A. Laurienzo

Counsel

Areas Of Focus
Labor and EmploymentLitigation

Austin Laurienzo focuses his practice on labor and employment and related commercial litigation on behalf of employers. Before joining Phelps, Austin served as a federal appellate judicial law clerk to the Honorable Charles R. Wilson of the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, where he worked on a wide range of federal appellate matters arising in Florida, Georgia and Alabama.

Austin represents employers in claims involving discrimination, retaliation, wage and hour issues, and employment-related disputes under federal and state law, including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, and corresponding state statutes.

He advises and represents employers in workplace investigations and in responding to charges and proceedings before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Florida Commission on Human Relations, the National Labor Relations Board, and other state and local agencies.

Austin also handles commercial and business litigation matters for employers and business entities, including actions involving restrictive covenants, trade secret misappropriation, and unfair competition and related business torts.  He also represents employers in union-related matters, including discipline and disputes arising under collective bargaining agreements.

Austin was awarded Top Honors Graduate for graduating at the top of his class at the University of Central Florida. He received book awards in Florida Civil Procedure and Class Actions at the University of Florida Levin College of Law and won best oralist at the National Entertainment Law Moot Court Competition.

Insights

Recognition

  • Florida Super Lawyers Rising Stars list, Super Lawyers (2025)

Education

  • University of Florida, Levin College of Law, J.D., cum laude, 2018
  • University of Central Florida, B.S., Legal Studies, summa cum laude, 2015

Credentials

  • Florida
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
  • U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida
  • U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida
  • Judicial Law Clerk for Hon. Charles R. Wilson, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit

Memberships and Affiliations

Professional

    • Tampa Connection, Class of 2026 (2025-present)
    • Hillsborough County Bar Association - Young Lawyers Division, Pro Bono Committee (2019-2020)
    • Wm. Reece Smith, Jr. Litigation American Inn of Court (2021-present)

Civic

    • King High School Mock Trial Team - Volunteer Coach (2021-2022)
    • South Tampa Chamber of Commerce - Member (2023-present)

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