Lucas, David P.

Mr. Wenzel is a board certified specialist in the area of Labor & Employment. He was admitted to the Florida Bar in 1973 following completion of law school at the University of Florida where he was Chairman of the International Appellate Moot Court Board and a member of the Editorial Board of the University of Florida Law Review.

For a period of fourteen years, Mr. Wenzel served as General Counsel and Vice President for Employee Relations and Legal Affairs at the University of South Florida with administrative responsibility for the University's legal, human resources, diversity and medical school functions. He served as chief negotiator for the university in its relationships with 6,600 employees in eleven collective bargaining units. While at USF, Mr. Wenzel taught Constitutional Law and Business Law in the Graduate School. Mr. Wenzel then joined the firm of Thompson, Sizemore and Gonzalez practicing labor law in the healthcare and education industries. Thereafter, Mr. Wenzel served as President and CEO of a hospital system where, among other things, he presided over the planning, design, construction, licensure, staffing, opening and accreditation of a new hospital serving West Central Florida.

Since 1993, Mr. Wenzel has been engaged in the private practice of law in matters arising out of the employment relationship. Drawing on his broad background, Mr. Wenzel also handles commercial transactions, real estate purchases and sales and related financial transactions.

Mr. Wenzel has published a number of professional articles on employment law, healthcare and education. He is a frequent lecturer before professional groups on these topics.

In addition to being a member of the Florida Bar, Mr. Wenzel has practiced before the Federal Courts for the Middle and Southern Districts of Florida, the Western District of Washington, the Fifth and Eleventh Circuit Courts of Appeals and the United States Supreme Court.

In 2001, in its inaugural selection of attorneys to be distinguished as specialists in the in the field of Labor and Employment law, The Florida Bar awarded board certification to Mr. Wenzel in recognition of his long standing experience and knowledge in this legal specialty. Mr. Wenzel has also been selected by his peers as a Florida Super Lawyer, denoting status as one of the top 5% of Florida's lawyers. Mr. Wenzel was recognized by his peers as a Top Attorney for Employment Law for Plaintiffs.