Ben H. Cristal, Esq.
Attorney & Counselor-At-Law
Ben is originally from Long Island, NY where he received his Bachelor of
Science degree in the dual majors of Economics and Business Management
from the State University of New York at Stony Brook. After a couple of
years of working as a stockbroker, Ben turned his attention to the legal
obstacles faced by business. He then attended the Hofstra University School
of Law where he was published in the Hofstra Labor Journal in the Spring
1996 edition with a note entitled
Going Beyond the Judicially Prescribed Boundaries of the Americans with
Disabilities Act and also served as Notes and Comments Editor for the
Hofstra Labor Law Journal. Immediately following graduation, Ben moved to Florida and was admitted
to the Florida Bar in 1996.
Since Ben began his legal career, he has engaged in the exclusive representation
of Employers and Business Community throughout the State of Florida handling
all the legal needs of his clients. Ben’s focus has primarily been
in the defense of Florida Employers in matters involving Employment litigation,
Workers’ Compensation claims, Wage and Hour claims, Wrongful Termination
lawsuits, Charges of Employment Discrimination, Civil Rights under Title
VII and Public Accommodations, Sports Law, Management-side Collective
Bargaining Negotiations, Unfair Labor Practice litigation and cases falling
under the United States Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation
Act. Ben also prepares and handles litigation involving Employment Contracts
as well as Non-Compete Agreements.
Ben regularly advises employers on a full array of employment-related matters
as well as procedures and business plans. Ben helps Businesses manage
government regulation at all levels to include compliance and audits dealing
with the Division of Workers’ Compensation, the National Labor Relations
Board (NLRB) the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the Florida
Commission on Human Relations (FCHR) the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL)
and the Wage & Hour Division. He also assists in the drafting of Client
Service Agreement for PEOs and helps to create return-to-work programs.
Ben founded Cristal Law Group in December 2006 which primarily serves the
Tampa Bay business community but also handles cases in the counties of
Hillsborough, Pinellas, Manatee, Sarasota, Pasco, Hernando, Polk, Charlotte,
Lee, Marion, Alachua, Citrus, Levy, Hardee, Highlands, Desoto and Orange.
He regularly lectures throughout the State of Florida and routinely blogs
on the latest employment issues. Ben is certified by the Florida Department
of Financial Services as an instructor in Workers' Compensation as
well as General Lines (Property & Casualty) allowing him to offer
CEU credits for professionals throughout the insurance industry.
Ben is admitted to practice in all the Courts of the State of Florida including
the U.S. District Courts for the Middle and Southern Districts of Florida.
He is a member of the Hillsborough County Bar Association (Member, Workers'
Compensation Section); The Florida Bar (Member, Workers' Compensation,
Labor and Employment and Sports and Entertainment Law Sections).
Ben is a Board-Member and financial supporter of
Community Action Stops Abuse (CASA) which is the official domestic violence center for Pinellas County
and has provided lifesaving services to women, children, and men living
with domestic violence for over 40 years. Ben is also is a past Board-Member
and financial supporter of the
Lawyers for Autism Awareness Foundation.
Ben is married to Heather, the love of his life. Together Ben and Heather have
six (6) amazing children. Consequently, Ben has no hobbies.