Chase Hattaway

Chase Hattaway is a trial attorney and focuses his practice on complex civil litigation matters. He has argued jury and non-jury trials as well as appeals in both state and federal courts. He has a diverse practice, but much of his work involves employment, construction, and casualty litigation.

Chase consults with employers on compliance with state and federal law. He regularly defends employers in state and federal court against various claims of discrimination including retaliation, harassment, whistle-blower and wrongful termination. Chase also has experience enforcing non-compete agreements, and regularly leads external investigations.

He also has significant experience representing school boards and higher education institutions on various matters, including investigations by the Office of Civil Rights (OCR), student grievances, employment issues, general liability, Americans with Disabilities Act and other complex legal areas unique to educational institutions.

Finally, Chase represents contractors in construction defect claims. He has experience in two-party disputes, as well as large, multi-party disputes. He has litigated construction cases in court and through arbitration proceedings.

Chase currently serves as the Administrative Partner for the Orlando office.

Awards & Honors

•Florida Super Lawyers Rising Star, Employment & Labor, 2020

Articles & Presentations

•Author, 'Preparing for the Worst: What Employers Need to Know Before the Hurricane Hits,' Law.com, October 2025
•Presenter, 'Employment Legal Panel,' HR Miami + HRABC Conference, September 2025
•Author, 'Protecting Employees Before, During and After a Disaster,' Risk Management Magazine, September 2025
•Author, 'Before Disaster Hits, Employers Must Assess Safety, Legal Risks,' Bloomberg Law, August 2025
•Author, '5 Tips for HR Directors to Avoid Expensive Company Lawsuits,' HR Daily Advisor, April 2025
•Interview, 'From Hamilton To Muldrow: Preparing HR For Title VII Claims Beyond The Firing Table,' Payroll, HRIS, Time & Attendance Excellence, January 2025
•Co-presenter, 'Strategies for Inclusive Workplaces: Addressing Discrimination and Retaliation,' Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (FRLA), Annual Summit, August 2024
•Co-presenter, 'DEA’s Proposed Marijuana Rescheduling: Legal Implications for Businesses,' Association of Corporate Counsel Central Florida, June 2024
•Co-presenter, 'Unlocking Success: Proven Tactics for Early Employment Claim Settlements,' AEI/Claims Law Associates, April 2024
•Co-author, 'Supreme Court Says Forced Job Transfers Must Cause Harm, But it Doesn’t Have to be Significant,' April 2024
•Author, 'Should Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Policies Vanish After Landmark Supreme Court Ruling?,' HR Daily Advisor, February 2024
•Author, 'Shifting Tides: Fifth Circuit’s New Dawn For Discrimination Claims,' HR Legal & Compliance Excellence on HR.com, December 2023
•Author, 'Fifth Circuit Opens the Door for Growing Discrimination Claims,' Bloomberg Law, October 2023
•Author, 'How HR Can Navigate The Post-Affirmative Action Landscape,' HR Legal & Compliance Excellence on HR.com, October 2023
•Interview, 'Workplace Harassment: The U.S. Workplace After 6 Years Of #MeToo,' published in HR Legal & Compliance Excellence on HR.com, August 2023
•Author, 'Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals Reverses District Court Decision on Florida’s Passport Ban,' October 2022
•Author, 'New “Stop Woke Act” to Expand Florida Employer Liability,' March 2022
•Author, 'Juggling a Remote, Hybrid and/or Multistate Workforce: What Employers Should Know,' Hospitality Technology, March 2022
•Co-Host, 'What Employers Need to Know about COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements and Testing,' Legally Qualified Podcast, February 2022
•Author, '6th Circuit Court of Appeals Dissolves Stay of OSHA ETS: New Deadlines for Employers,' December 2021
•Author, 'In the Crossfire: What Florida HR Directors Need to Know about Recent State and Federal COVID-19 Vaccination Legislation,' November 2021
•Presenter, 'Tired of Playing Hot Potato? What You Need to Know about Vaccine Mandates,' Association of Corporate Counsel South Florida, November 2021
•Author, 'Vaccination Mandate For Employees: What Employers Need To Know,' HR.com, November 2021
•Co-Presenter, 'Judge Says Norwegian and Other Cruise Lines Can Require Vaccine Passports in Florida,' Thompson Reuters West/Celesq CLE Webcast, October 2021
•Author, 'President Biden Announces Expansive Action Plan to Combat COVID-19 Pandemic,' September 9, 2021
•Co-Author, 'Judge Says Norwegian, Other Cruises Can Require Vaccine Passports in Fla.,' Daily Business Review, August 26, 2021
•Co-Author, 'Incentivizing Customers In States Banning Vaccine Passports,' Law360, May 18, 2021
•Co-Author, 'Florida Legislation Bans Businesses from Requiring COVID-19 Vaccine “Passports,' May 2021
•Co-Author, 'Governor’s Executive Order Halts Businesses From Requiring Vaccine Passports,' Daily Business Review, May 4, 2021
•Author, 'SCOTUS 8-1: Student Has Standing in First Amendment Case Against College,' March 2021
•Co-Author, 'Florida Supreme Court Limits Amount of Recovery in Mass Events,' Florida Bar Education Law Journal, Volume 2, Issue 3, Fall 2020
•Co-Author, 'Class Actions Against Higher Education for Tuition Refunds Trending After Classes go Virtual,' July 2020
•Co-presenter,'Reopening Law Firms, Businesses, and Other Establishments' webinar, Orange County Bar Association, May 22, 2020
•Author, 'DOL Issues Bulletin: Temporary Non-Enforcement Period Applicable to the Families First Coronavirus Response Act,' March 2020
•Co-author, 'Coronavirus Q&A: A Legal Resource Guide for Employers, March 2020
•Co-author, 'Medical Marijuana in the Workplace: What’s Next?' Modern Restaurant Management, January 2020
•Presenter, 'Responding to OCR Investigations and Avoiding Hidden Dangers,' Community College Conference on Legal Issues, January 2020
•Author, 'A Win for Cannabis Industry Workers,' Cannabis Executive Industry, November 6, 2019
•Co-Author, 'Medical Marijuana in the Workplace: What's Next?' Florida Restaurant & Lodging, Fall 2019
•Author, 'Developing policies that prevent relationships from crossing the line: What universities should consider regarding faculty-student relationships,' University Business, July 2019
•Co-presenter 'How to Avoid OCR’s Hidden Dangers & Employment Law Updates' at the The Florida College System Risk Management Consortium in June of 2019
•Co-presenter 'How to Make Sure Employee Discipline Sticks: Investigations Do Matter' at the Florida Educational Negotiators in February of 2019
•Author, 'Protecting Your Business: The Basics of Non-Compete Agreements,' Orlando Business Journal's Consult the Counsel, June 29, 2018
•Co-Author, 'Cost of Convenience for the Grocery Industry: On-Demand Grocery Delivery Service Presents Possible Legal Ramifications,' November 2017

Chase's News and Insights

10.29.2025
Employment and Labor

Preparing for the Worst: What Employers Need to Know Before the Hurricane Hits

“Preparation is key, from ensuring they have a proactive communications...

Photo: Shutterstock.com/Darwin Brandis

10.24.2025
Beyond the Bio

Fifteen Years Strong: Chase Hattaway on Lessons Learned and Looking Ahead

For 15 years, Chase has built a fulfilling career at...

09.10.2025
Events

RumbergerKirk Employment Attorneys Take the Main Stage at 2025 Annual HR Conference

RumbergerKirk employment attorneys participated in a panel discussion at the...

09.09.2025
Employment and Labor

Protecting Employees Before, During and After a Disaster

Despite the rise of natural disasters in the United States,...

Photo: Shutterstock.com/witsarut sakorn

08.08.2025
Employment and Labor

Before Disaster Hits, Employers Must Assess Safety, Legal Risks

As hurricanes come ashore in the Southeast, tornadoes spin throughout...

Photo: Shutterstock.com/Bilanol

04.07.2025
Employment and Labor

5 Tips for HR Directors to Avoid Expensive Company Lawsuits

As the first point of contact for employee claims, HR...

Photo: Shutterstock.com/Ulf Wittrock

01.29.2025
Employment and Labor

From Hamilton To Muldrow: Preparing HR For Title VII Claims Beyond The Firing Table

Chase Hattaway featured in January 2025 Payroll, HRIS, Time &...

10.30.2024
Firm News

Chase Hattaway to Lead RumbergerKirk Orlando Office as Administrative Partner

ORLANDO, Fla., OCTOBER 30, 2024 - RumbergerKirk announces the appointment...

08.14.2024
Events

Strategies for Inclusive Workplaces: Addressing Discrimination and Retaliation

Fostering a diverse, inclusive, and productive workplace is a strategic...

06.12.2024
Events

DEA’s Proposed Marijuana Rescheduling: Legal Implications for Businesses

RumbergerKirk attorneys provided an interactive, fun, and informative presentation on...