F. Damon Kitchen

• Recognized in Florida Super Lawyers
• Recognized in the publication, Best Lawyers In America
• Successfully defended cases in all areas of labor and employment law, including, but not limited to: claims of unlawful discrimination, sexual harassment, retaliatory discharge, equal pay violations, wage and hour violations, employment-related freedom of speech, due process and equal protection claims arising under both the federal and state constitutions
• Successfully defended cases involving claims of defamation, invasion of privacy, negligent hiring, retention and supervision, intentional infliction of emotional distress, fraud, and breach of contract
• Experience in representing clients in traditional labor law matters, such as defending unfair labor practice charges, grievance arbitrations, opposing union organizing campaigns and serving as chief negotiator in collective bargaining negotiations
• Assists employers in problem prevention and legal analysis of complex employment issues
• Frequent lecturer and presenter for human resource directors, managers and small business owners regarding labor and employment law issues
• Recognized in Chambers USA Guide
• Executive Council of the Labor and Employment Law Section of The Florida Bar

• Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America^® for Employment Law – Management, Labor Law – Management, and Litigation - Labor and Employment (2006-2022, 2024)
• Recognized as "Lawyer of the Year" for Labor Law – Management in The Best Lawyers in America^® (2020)
• Chambers USA Guide (2006-2023)
• Recognized in Florida Super Lawyers (2007-2016, 2018-2022)

• Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent^® Peer Rated for Highest Level of Professional Excellence   

• American Bar Association, Labor & Employment Section
• The Florida Bar, Executive Council of the Labor and Employment Law Section (1996-2001, 2008-present)
  • Chair of Council of Sections (2011-2012)
  • Chair-Elect of Council of Sections (2010-2011)
  • Treasurer of Council of Sections (2009-2010)
  • Immediate Past Chair of the Labor and Employment Law Section (2007)
  • Chair of the Labor and Employment Law Section (2006)
  • Chair-Elect of the Labor and Employment Law Section (2005)
  • Legal Education Chair of the Labor and Employment Law Section (2004)
  • Secretary/Treasurer of the Labor and Employment Law Section (2001-2003)
• Board Certified in Labor and Employment Law by The Florida Bar (2001)
• State Bar of Georgia, Labor and Employment Law Section
• Federal Bar Association, Jacksonville Chapter, President (2000-2001), Officer (1995-2000)
• Jacksonville Bar Association, Labor & Employment Section, Vice Chair (2002-2003)
• Northeast Florida League of Cities
• North Florida Manufacturers Association
• Journey Church of Jacksonville Florida

Damon is married and the proud father of two grown boys. He enjoys spending time with his family, reading, and fishing. Damon is also an avid fan of NASCAR.

More About Damon

First job after college

Grill cook at the Village Tavern in Winston-Salem, N.C.

Best advice a family member or mentor ever gave me

You can always try harder.

Sports team I root for most

Hendricks Motorsports' 24 Team.

What I would be if I wasn't a lawyer

Unemployed.

• "Recent Developments in Labor and Employment Law," Jacksonville Annual Labor & Employment Law Workshop, March 2019
• “Recent Developments in Labor and Employment Law,” presented at the Gainesville-Alachua County Employment Law Seminar, June 2017
• "Employment Discrimination," 47 Mercer Law Review, 797 (1996)
• "Employment Discrimination," 45 Mercer Law Review, 1259 (1994)
• "Employment Discrimination," 43 Mercer Law Review, 1124(1992)
• "Representing the Employer in the Unemployment Compensation Appeals Process," 67 Florida Bar Journal, 53 (1993)
• Jacksonville Best Places to Work - Jacksonville  Business Journal