Since 2008, Rachael has focused her practice on employment law and related litigation, including non-competition and non-solicitation litigation. Rachael not only represents clients in federal, state, and appellate courts, but also advises clients on a variety of employment related matters prior to litigation. This includes assisting clients with day-to-day employment and personnel issues, preparing employment related contracts, policies, and handbooks, and responding to charges of discrimination and other formal complaints or government investigations.
Distinctions & Memberships
- Admitted to the Florida Bar
- Admitted to the United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida
- Admitted to the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida
- Admitted to the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida
- The Best Lawyers in America© since 2019 – Litigation – Labor and Employment
- The Best Lawyers in America© 2022 Litigation – Labor and Employment “Lawyer of the Year”
- Named as a Rising Star by Super Lawyers in 2016 and 2017
- Board Chair of the Board of Directors for the Dunedin Fine Art Center, beginning October 2023
- Board of Directors Member for the Dunedin Fine Art Center, 2020 – Present
- Leadership Pinellas, Class of 2019
- Co-Chair of the St. Petersburg Bar Association Employment Section, 2016 – 2018
- President of the Clearwater Bar Association Young Lawyers Division, 2013 – 2014
- Stetson College of Law Edward D. Foreman Most Distinguished Student Award Recipient
- Trial Team, 1st Place: American Bar Association Law Student Division, Regional Arbitration Competition; 1st Place: Florida Bar Chester Bedell Memorial Mock Trial Competition
Education
- Stetson University College of Law, Juris Doctor, cum laude, Honors Program Graduate, December 2007
- University of South Florida, Masters of Arts, Criminology December 2004
- University of Texas at Arlington, Bachelor of Arts, magna cum laude, University Scholar Criminology/Criminal Justice December 2002
Personal Endeavors
When Rachael is not working hard for her clients, Rachael enjoys grabbing her camera and photographing the world around her, whether that be capturing the beauty of flowers through macro photography, finding the perfect sunset with her 14 mm lens, or snapping action shots of her skateboarding son. Rachael also enjoys downtime with her family and looks forward to their movie and game nights. Finally, Rachael, thanks to her son, is well versed in all things Pokémon and can often be found helping other parents decipher the trading card game.
Articles
- Important Update: Employers Are No Longer Required To Comply With The DOL’s 2024 Increased Salary Thresholds
- The Laws, They Are a Changing, Part IV: What Employers Need to Know about the EEOC’s Enforcement Guidance on Harassment in the Workplace
- The Laws, They Are a Changing, Part III: What Employers Need to Know about the EEOC’s Final Rule Implementing the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act
- The Laws, They Are a Changing, Part II: Increased Minimum Salary Requirements Begin July 1, 2024
- The Laws, They are a Changing, Part I: The FTC’s Ban of Post-Employment Non-Competes
- Rachael Wood Named Partner at Johnson Pope
- The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act Creates New Obligations for Employers
- Florida Enacts E-Verify Requirements for Employers
- 2023 Employment Law Watchlist
- Best Employment Practices 2022
- COVID-19: Updated CDC and EEOC Guidance
- The Stop W.O.K.E. Act Affects Employers Too
- Florida Enacts New Law Affecting Mandatory Vaccine Policies in the Workplace
- Employers – Are You Properly Reporting Your Newly Hired or Re-Hired Employees and Independent Contractors?
- Labor and Employment Update: Path Out of the Pandemic
- Save the Date – Best Employment Practices 2021
- COVID-19 Summer Update: OSHA and EEOC Guidance and Vaccine Litigation
- COVID-19 Update: Masks, Vaccines, and COBRA Guidance
- The Future of the Workplace under the Biden Administration
- COVID-19 Update: What Employers Need to Know for 2021
- Rachael Wood Named to Board of Directors of The Dunedin Fine Art Center
- Employment Webinar Series Invitation 2020
- COVID-19 Update: Department of Labor Revises FFCRA Regulations
- No Summer Break for the Department of Labor: Tracking Hours Worked by Teleworking/Remote Employees; FFCRA Eligibility when Schools are Open; and DOL Guidance Documents
- Landmark Ruling: Gay and Transgender Individuals Protected by Title VII
- COVID-19 Updates: Reopening Guidance from the CDC for Employers in Office Buildings and DOL Developments
- Considerations for Preparing to Return to the Workplace
- Updated COVID-19 Guidance for Employers: Week Ending April 17, 2020
- Important Government Covid-19 Updates Affecting Employers
- Employer Updates on Stay-at-Home Orders and Implementation of the Paid Leave Provisions of the FFCRA
- DOL Issues Further Guidance On The FFCRA Paid Provisions
- Federal And Local COVID-19 Developments Affecting Employers
- An Employer’s Guide to Frequently Asked Questions about Reductions in Force and Unemployment Compensation Related to COVID-19
- What Employers Need to Know About The Families First Coronavirus Response Act
- Breaking Workplace Developments On The COVID-19 Pandemic
- Don’t Be Caught Red Handed: Be Aware of New Wage Theft Rules and Pay Perils
- Best Employment Practices 2019
- Lions and Tigers and Miniature Horses, Oh My!
- Wage and Hour Update
- EEOC Enforcement Priorities
- Shielding Employers from Liability: Tips for Maintaining Your Armor
- Fair Labor Standards Act Update
- Labor and Employment Law Watch 2018
News
- 55 Johnson, Pope, Bokor, Ruppel & Burns LLP Lawyers Recognized by Best Lawyers® 2025
- Rachael Wood Named Partner at Johnson Pope
- Rachael Wood Named Board Chair of the Dunedin Fine Art Center
- 48 Johnson, Pope, Bokor, Ruppel & Burns LLP Lawyers Recognized by Best Lawyers® 2024
- 48 Lawyers from Johnson, Pope, Bokor, Ruppel & Burns, LLP Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2023—Four recognized as “Lawyer of the Year” In Their Respective Practice Area
- 46 Lawyers from Johnson, Pope, Bokor, Ruppel & Burns, LLP Recognized In The Best Lawyers In America® 2022—Five Recognized as “Lawyer of the Year” In Their Respective Practice Area
- Save the Date – Best Employment Practices 2021
- Rachael Wood Named to Board of Directors of The Dunedin Fine Art Center
- 47 Lawyers From Johnson, Pope, Bokor, Ruppel & Burns, LLP Recognized By Best Lawyers® 2021 – Four Recognized As “Lawyer of the Year” In Their Respective Practice Area
- 36 Lawyers From Johnson, Pope, Bokor, Ruppel & Burns, LLP Recognized In Best Lawyers In America® 2020 – Three Recognized As “Lawyer Of The Year” In Their Respective Practice Area
- Rachael L. Wood Joins Johnson, Pope, Bokor, Ruppel & Burns, LLP
By Joan M. Vecchioli, Colleen M. Flynn & Rachael L. Wood — September 2021
We know that the announcement of The White House: Path out of the Pandemic: President Biden’s COVID-19 Action Plan (the “Action Plan”) has left many of us with more questions than answers. We are closely monitoring the situation and will provide a more detailed summary when the applicable Occupational Safety […]
Categories: Articles, Blogs, COVID-19 task force, Labor & Employment
By Joan M. Vecchioli, Colleen M. Flynn & Rachael L. WoodJoan M. Vecchioli, Colleen M. Flynn & Rachael L. Wood — July 2021
With the rise in vaccination rates and the increased return of workers to the workplace, the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (“OSHA”) and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) have issued updated guidance for employers and employees relating to safety standards and vaccine policies. Specifically, on May 28, 2021, the […]
Categories: Articles, Blogs, COVID-19 task force, Labor & Employment
By Joan M. Vecchioli, Colleen M. Flynn & Rachael L. WoodJoan M. Vecchioli, Colleen M. Flynn & Rachael L. WoodJoan M. Vecchioli, Colleen M. Flynn & Rachael L. Wood — May 2021
The past few weeks have seen a flurry of activity at both the federal and state level relating to COVID-19. Most recently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”) issued updated guidance concerning the use of masks for fully vaccinated individuals. This article will provide you a brief overview […]
Categories: Articles, Blogs, COVID-19 task force, Labor & Employment
By Joan M. Vecchioli, Colleen M. Flynn & Rachael L. WoodJoan M. Vecchioli, Colleen M. Flynn & Rachael L. WoodJoan M. Vecchioli, Colleen M. Flynn & Rachael L. WoodJoan M. Vecchioli, Colleen M. Flynn & Rachael L. Wood — March 2020
At the end of January 2020, the Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners made significant amendments to the Wage Theft and Recovery Ordinance, which applies to any entity or person who employs a person (even just one person) within Pinellas County. These amendments became effective in February 2020. With […]
Categories: Articles, Blogs, Labor & Employment
By Joan M. Vecchioli, Colleen M. Flynn & Rachael L. WoodJoan M. Vecchioli, Colleen M. Flynn & Rachael L. WoodJoan M. Vecchioli, Colleen M. Flynn & Rachael L. WoodJoan M. Vecchioli, Colleen M. Flynn & Rachael L. WoodJoan M. Vecchioli, Colleen M. Flynn & Rachael L. Wood — September 2019
Joan M. Vecchioli, Esq., Colleen M. Fynn, Esq., Rachael L. Wood, Esq. invite you to attend their seminar series Best Employment Practices Topics will include Animals in the Workplace Department of Labor Developments Common Employer Mistakes Wednesday, October 23, 2019 8:30 a.m. – Noon Continental Breakfast served Ruth Eckerd Hall […]
Categories: Articles, Blogs, Labor & Employment
By Joan M. Vecchioli, Colleen M. Flynn & Rachael L. WoodJoan M. Vecchioli, Colleen M. Flynn & Rachael L. WoodJoan M. Vecchioli, Colleen M. Flynn & Rachael L. WoodJoan M. Vecchioli, Colleen M. Flynn & Rachael L. WoodJoan M. Vecchioli, Colleen M. Flynn & Rachael L. WoodJoan M. Vecchioli, Colleen M. Flynn & Rachael L. Wood — September 2019
Many of our clients have been inquiring about their obligations regarding animals in the workplace. For employers, these obligations may vary depending on whether the person wanting to bring an animal into the workplace is a customer or an employee. Customers If the person is a customer and the business […]
Categories: Articles, Blogs, Labor & Employment
By Joan M. Vecchioli, Colleen M. Flynn & Rachael L. WoodJoan M. Vecchioli, Colleen M. Flynn & Rachael L. WoodJoan M. Vecchioli, Colleen M. Flynn & Rachael L. WoodJoan M. Vecchioli, Colleen M. Flynn & Rachael L. WoodJoan M. Vecchioli, Colleen M. Flynn & Rachael L. WoodJoan M. Vecchioli, Colleen M. Flynn & Rachael L. WoodColleen M. Flynn, Joan M. Vecchioli & Rachael L. Wood — April 2019
We have seen rapid developments in wage and hour laws over the past several months that will affect a wide range of industries and professions. These developments under the Fair Labor Standards Act (“FLSA”) include Opinion Letters issued by the United States Department of Labor (“DOL”) and proposed rules by […]
Categories: Articles, Blogs, Labor & Employment
By Joan M. Vecchioli, Colleen M. Flynn & Rachael L. WoodJoan M. Vecchioli, Colleen M. Flynn & Rachael L. WoodJoan M. Vecchioli, Colleen M. Flynn & Rachael L. WoodJoan M. Vecchioli, Colleen M. Flynn & Rachael L. WoodJoan M. Vecchioli, Colleen M. Flynn & Rachael L. WoodJoan M. Vecchioli, Colleen M. Flynn & Rachael L. WoodColleen M. Flynn, Joan M. Vecchioli & Rachael L. WoodJoan M. Vecchioli, Colleen M. Flynn & Rachael L. Wood — October 2018
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has long required that its resources be targeted to ensure the strongest possible impact in its efforts to stop unlawful employment discrimination. In 2017, the EEOC revised its Strategic Enforcement Plan (“SEP”) for Fiscal Years 2017-2021 to identify six (6) substantive area priorities and […]
Categories: Blogs, Labor & Employment
By Joan M. Vecchioli, Colleen M. Flynn & Rachael L. WoodJoan M. Vecchioli, Colleen M. Flynn & Rachael L. WoodJoan M. Vecchioli, Colleen M. Flynn & Rachael L. WoodJoan M. Vecchioli, Colleen M. Flynn & Rachael L. WoodJoan M. Vecchioli, Colleen M. Flynn & Rachael L. WoodJoan M. Vecchioli, Colleen M. Flynn & Rachael L. WoodColleen M. Flynn, Joan M. Vecchioli & Rachael L. WoodJoan M. Vecchioli, Colleen M. Flynn & Rachael L. WoodJoan M. Vecchioli, Colleen M. Flynn & Rachael L. Wood — August 2018
Welcome to our Labor and Employment Group blog where we will discuss legal issues and address questions that frequently arise in our practice and provide updates and analyses of statutory and case law developments in the area of Labor and Employment Law. Our Labor & Employment Group regularly represents employers […]
Categories: Blogs, Labor & Employment
Practice Areas
