Profile
Alicia M. Chiu has a wide range of experience representing employers in all areas of the employment relationship. Alicia is an experienced employment litigator, having defended employers in single-plaintiff, multi-plaintiff and class action litigation involving defense of discrimination, retaliation, wrongful discharge, and whistleblower claims, as well as wage and hour and employee misclassification litigation, trade secret disputes, and enforcement of restrictive covenants. She regularly represents employers in both federal and state courts, as well as before administrative agencies and in employment arbitrations.
In addition to litigation, Alicia provides advice on all aspects of the employment relationship, including advising on performance and leave management, terminations, and reductions in force. Alicia partners with employers of all sizes to help them pursue their legal goals while developing practical strategies with the aim of minimizing litigation risk. She has deep experience conducting internal investigations on behalf of employers across a variety of industries. Alicia regularly conducts compliance training for management on a broad array of issues, including harassment, discrimination, and managing employee leaves of absence under the Family and Medical Leave Act and Americans with Disabilities Act.
Concentrations
- Labor and employment
- Internal investigations
- Management training
- Employment litigation and trials
Capabilities
Experience
- Won unanimous jury verdict in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida on behalf of a major retailer in case alleging race discrimination and retaliation.°
- Obtained summary judgment in United States District Court on behalf of a large oil refinery involving claims of race discrimination, disability discrimination, failure to accommodate, and retaliation and successfully defended plaintiff’s appeal to the United States Circuit Court of Appeals.°
- Obtained summary judgment in United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio on behalf of manufacturer in case involving claims alleging wrongful discharge, discrimination, and violations of the FMLA.°
- Successfully defended multi-plaintiff appeal to the United States Circuit Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit alleging claims of hostile work environment and retaliation.°
- Obtained dismissal and findings of “no probable cause” in numerous employment discrimination charges filed with the EEOC and various state fair employment practice agencies.°
- Negotiated settlement in class action litigation involving claims of breach of fiduciary duty under ERISA as it related to the purchase and sale of ESOP stock.°
- Conducted sensitive internal investigations involving allegations of harassment and discrimination lodged against clients’ executive and upper leadership.°
- Successfully defended numerous disability access matters for hospitality, retail and other public-facing clients.°
- Conducted inspections of nationwide retailers for compliance with Title III of the ADA.°
- Counseled clients on a variety employment issues, including hiring and interviews, background checks, employee discipline, wage and hour compliance, reductions in force, disability and leave management, terminations and separations, restrictive covenant enforcement, trade secrets, internal investigations, policy development and risk avoidance best practices.°
- Reviewed and revised client handbooks, contracts, employment policies, offer letters and applications.°
°The above representations were handled by Ms. Chiu prior to her joining Greenberg Traurig, P.A.
- Judicial Intern, Hon. Judge Algenon Marbley, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, 2004
Recognition & Leadership
- Listed, The Best Lawyers in America, “Employment Law – Management,” “Labor Law – Management,” “Litigation - Labor and Employment,” 2023-2024
- Listed, Super Lawyersmagazine, “Florida Rising Stars,” 2013-2017
- Member, Central Florida Association for Women Lawyers
- Member, Greater Orlando Asian American Bar Association
- Member, Orange County Bar Association
Credentials
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J.D., cum laude, The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law, 2004
- Order of the Coif
- Associate Editor, The Ohio State University Journal on Dispute Resolution
- B.S., magna cum laude, Vanderbilt University, 1999
- Hon. Judge Norah McCann King, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, 2004-2005
- Florida
- U.S. Virgin Islands