For the past 12 years, the Women’s Committee of Big Brothers Big Sisters has honored outstanding community leaders for their commitment to bettering the lives of children. All honorees have made and continue to make fine contributions to the community. The Award honors those who by virtue of their good deeds and energetic force really make a positive impact on the lives of children.

The tasting will showcase medal-winning wines from the Festival’s second annual Best in Glass Wine Challenge, where more than 30 local sommeliers and restaurant wine directors selected their top picks from nearly 300 entries. Guests will also have the opportunity to bid on excellent wines in a silent auction.  All event proceeds support United Way of Miami-Dade’s work in the areas of education, financial stabilityand health. Valet and self-parking available at the Mary Brickell Village complex. Rsvp by Friday, January 20, 2012. Space is limited and rsvps will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.

Visit UnitedWayMiami.org or call (305) 640-7029. We hope to see you there !

Peter Valori was recently acknowledged in the 2012 Edition of the South Florida Legal Guide.  Mr. Valori was recognized for his practice in Business Litigation and Employment Law.

The South Florida Legal Guide, now in its 12th edition, will publish this December its annual listings of Top Lawyers, Up & Comers, Law Firms, CPAs and Financial professionals and Government attorneys. Our top professionals are nominated by their peers and carefully reviewed prior to inclusion to ensure that our list includes the best of the best.

The South Florida Legal Guide, now in its 12th edition, will publish this December its annual listings of Top Lawyers, Up & Comers, Law Firms, CPAs and Financial professionals and Government attorneys. Our top professionals are nominated by their peers and carefully reviewed prior to inclusion to ensure that our list includes the best of the best.

Hourly wages are set to increase in Florida on January 1, 2012. Employers who do not pay their employees the minimum wage risk a civil action from employees. Florida’s minimum wage law, and the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), authorize civil suits against an employer or any individual person violating minimum wage laws – including owners, supervisors and managers. Under such suits, the employee is entitled to recover double the amount of unpaid wages, along with any attorney’s fees and costs incurred in recovering the unpaid wages. The Florida Attorney General and the United States Department of Labor may also bring an enforcement action to enforce the minimum wage laws.

Beginning January 1, 2012, Florida’s minimum wage will increase from the current rate of $7.31 to $7.67 per hour.  Employers must pay their employees the hourly state minimum wage for all hours worked in Florida, and Florida law requires the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity to periodically recalculate Florida’s minimum wage based upon the increase in the federal Consumer Price Index for Urban Earners and Clerical Workers in the Southern Region. This minimum wage will remain in effect until January 1, 2013, then the rate will be recalculated.

For companies employing individuals outside the State of Florida, the Federal minimum wage will stay at $7.25 per hour. Each state, however, may have laws maintaining a minimum wage higher than the Federal rate. A chart of those states may be found at http://www.dol.gov/whd/minwage/america.htm.

Also, beginning January 1, 2012, Employers must pay tipped employees entitled to receive a tip credit under the FLSA a direct wage of $4.65 per hour, but may apply a tip credit of $3.02 per hour.

The FLSA also requires employers to keep accurate records of the hours worked by employees entitled to overtime. Failure to keep accurate records amounts to a violation of the statute.

Also, Florida Statutes require employers to post a minimum wage notice in a conspicuous and accessible place in each establishment where employees work. This poster requirement is in addition to the federal requirement to post a notice of the federal minimum wage. Employers may download Florida’s minimum wage poster in both English and Spanish from the Agency for Workforce Innovation’s website at http://www.floridajobs.org/workforce/posters.html.

The federal poster can be downloaded from the U.S. Department of Labor’s website at http://www.dol.gov/whd/regs/compliance/posters/flsa.htm.

If you have any questions regarding minimum wage, overtime, or employee compensation issues, please do not hesitate to contact Russell Landy at (305) 371-3960, or at rlandy@dvllp.com.

About – Russell Landy is an employment and business litigation attorney with the law firm of Damian & Valori LLP. Mr. Landy has significant experience in handling wage and hour disputes.

Proceeds from ticket sales, auction items and donations will directly benefit Educate Tomorrow. The gala will feature an extraordinary selection of wines and liquor. Passed hors d’oeuvres will also be served throughout the evening. Guests will also enjoy a silent auction, featuring an amazing selection of items that will include: jewelry, exceptional works of art, cruises, vacation getaways, fine wines, sporting goods, gift certificates and much more.

Purchase your tickets early to receive early bird pricing.  $125 before November 15, 2011!

Click to Purchase General Tickets:  $150  (Early Bird Price:  $125.00)

Click to Purchase VIP Tickets:  $250.00

NAWJ is the nation’s leading voice for women jurists dedicated to preserving judicial independence, ensuring equal justice and access to the courts for women, minorities and other historically disenfranchised groups, providing judicial education on cutting-edge issues, and advancing the interests of women judges, both in numbers and status at all levels to more accurately reflect their full participation in a democratic society.