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More Than a Lawyer Podcast: Law, Leadership, and the Power of Teamwork with Jason Imler
From the More Than a Lawyer Podcast with Christy Crow
On this episode of More Than a Lawyer, host Christy Crow sits down with Jason Imler, a plaintiff-side employment lawyer from Tampa, Florida, and founder of Imler Law. Jason's firm stands up for employees against large employers on issues like wrongful termination, discrimination, retaliation, unpaid wages, and workers' comp. In this conversation, he breaks down what "at-will employment" really means, why community networks matter, and how the lessons he learned on the football field still shape how he practices law today.
What "At-Will" Really Means
Florida, like Alabama, is an at-will employment state and Jason says that leads to a lot of confusion. At-will means an employer can terminate someone at any time, for any reason (or no reason at all). But it does not mean an employer can discriminate based on age, race, gender, national origin, religion, disability, or sexual orientation. Employers also can't retaliate against employees for taking FMLA leave, filing a workers' comp claim, or blowing the whistle on illegal conduct.
Jason's advice: if a termination doesn't pass the "smell test", a longtime great employee suddenly gets written up, or a role is eliminated and then quietly refilled by someone much younger, it's worth having an employment lawyer take a look.
The Road to a Discrimination Claim
Discrimination cases don't start with a lawsuit. In Florida, the first step is filing a charge with the EEOC within 300 days of the adverse employment action. From there, the EEOC has 180 days to investigate, often issuing a "notice of suit rights" that gives the employee 90 days to file in federal court. Jason walks through how the EEOC's mediation and investigation process, including the employer's official "position statement", helps his firm evaluate whether a termination was truly lawful or just dressed up to look that way.
When One Workplace Injury Becomes Three Cases
Jason and Christy also dig into what happens when a workplace injury overlaps with other areas of law. A single incident can trigger a workers' comp claim, an ADA failure-to-accommodate claim or retaliation claim, and if a car accident or defective product was involved, a separate personal injury case entirely. Jason's firm stays focused on the employment side and partners with personal injury attorneys, like the team at Jinks Crow, to make sure clients have the right lawyer handling every piece of their case.
Building a Network to Do More Good
As president of the Florida chapter of the National Employment Lawyers Association (FLNELA) and an active member of the Hillsborough County Bar Association, Jason has seen firsthand how professional networks create more than referrals. They build trust with opposing counsel, open doors to community projects like back-to-school supply drives, and multiply the good that one firm alone could never do on its own.
Lessons from the Football Field
A former football player and now a sports dad three times over, Jason sponsors youth football, baseball, and basketball teams so cost is never the reason a kid sits out. He sees a direct line between the lessons of team sports such as you're only as strong as your weakest link, and you protect the people around you. This is the way he leads his firm and represents his clients, many of whom come to him at the lowest point of their careers.
More Than a Lawyer
For Jason, being "more than a lawyer" means recognizing the platform that comes with the profession. "We try to share the wealth as much as possible," he says whether that's through community involvement, mentorship, or simply showing up for the people who need help getting back on their feet.
Watch or listen to the full episode to hear more about:
The EEOC "smell test" for spotting pretextual firings
How workers' comp exclusivity works and the exceptions that matter
Why bar association involvement pays off inside and outside the courtroom
Jason's approach to youth sports sponsorship and cost barriers
What "more than a lawyer" means to him
Learn More About Jason Imler
Visit Imler Law's website: imlerlaw.com
Connect with Jason on LinkedIn
About More Than a Lawyer
The More Than a Lawyer podcast highlights amazing acts of service that lawyers perform all over the country. Your host, Christy Crow, is Managing Attorney at Jinks Crow, PC., a woman-owned personal injury law firm located in Alabama, with offices in Union Springs and Montgomery. Jinks Crow is big enough to fight, small enough to care, representing clients in personal injury, wrongful death, accidents, and product liability cases.
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