Overview

Jesse Bannon is a senior associate in the Jacksonville office's Litigation Department. Jesse focuses his practice on advising and defending his clients in state and federal court in discrimination, retaliation, whistleblower, harassment, non-compete, trade secret, breach of contract, wage and hour, medical leave, defamation, constitutional, and other civil rights disputes.

Before joining Constangy, Jesse served the people of Florida as an Assistant State Attorney in the Tenth Judicial Circuit, where he gained extensive courtroom experience and tried several jury trials to verdict.

Honors & Recognitions

  • Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® for Employment Law – Management (2021-2022, 2024-2025)
  • Florida Legal Elite (2017-2018)
  • Rising Star, Florida Super Lawyers® (2018-2019)

Professional & Civic Associations

  • Florida Bar, Labor & Employment Law Section
  • Jacksonville Bar Association
  • Galinsky Academy, Board of Directors (2012-present)

About Me

Jesse is a movie buff and foodie and enjoys traveling and spending time with his wife Shylie and his one-year-old son Ari.

Representative Matters

Representative Matters

  • Hudson v. Florida Dep’t of Corrections. USDC, Northern District of Florida (2017). Represented state agency in race retaliation lawsuit. Successfully obtained dismissal on summary judgment.
  • Hughes v. Santa Rosa County School Board. USDC, Northern District of Florida (2015). Represented school board in a gender discrimination lawsuit. Successfully obtained dismissal on summary judgment.
  • Ice v. Matthew Shirk, Public Defender for the Fourth Judicial Circuit. USDC, Middle District of Florida (2015). Represented Public Defender in his official and individual capacities in a gender discrimination, sex harassment, libel, and §1983 lawsuit. Successfully obtained dismissal of claims with prejudice.
  • Mitcham v. University of South Florida Board of Trustees. USDC, Middle District of Florida (2014). Represented state university in a race and gender discrimination and retaliation lawsuit. Successfully obtained dismissal on summary judgment.
  • Mann v. St. Johns County School Board. USDC, Middle District of Florida (2014). Represented school board in a disability discrimination, retaliation, and accommodation lawsuit. Successfully obtained dismissal on summary judgment.
  • Schoppman v. University of South Florida Board of Trustees. USDC, Middle District of Florida (2012). Represented state university in a retaliation lawsuit. Successfully obtained dismissal on summary judgment. Successfully upheld on appeal to United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit (2013). Certiorari denied on appeal to Supreme Court of the United States (2014).
  • Burns v. City of Cape Coral. USDC, Middle District of Florida (2012). Represented city in a race and gender discrimination lawsuit. Successfully obtained dismissal on summary judgment. Successfully upheld on appeal to United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit (2013).
  • Ruud v. University of South Florida Board of Trustees. Circuit Court of the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit (2011). Represented university in a breach of contract and promissory estoppel lawsuit. Successfully obtained dismissal on summary judgment. Successfully upheld on appeal to Florida’s Second DCA (2012).
  • Represented non-profit hospital in grievance arbitration hearings (2010-2016). Several decisions for defense.
  • Represented large defense contractor in grievance arbitration hearings (2011-2015). Several decisions for defense.
  • Represented state university in grievance arbitration hearings (2016). Decision for defense.

News & Analysis

Speaking Engagements & Industry Publications

  • “Ethics in Public Employment,” presented at 7th Annual Gainesville Employment Law Seminar, June 2017
  • “Anticipated Effects of Florida’s Legalization of Medical Marijuana for Employers,” presented at Constangy Jacksonville’s Annual Labor & Employment Law Workshop, March 2017
  • “2016 Employment & Labor Laws Update,” presented at Florida Labor-Management Conference, August 2016
  • “Measure Twice, Cut Once: Protecting Your Company from a Lawsuit,” presented at Constangy Jacksonville’s Annual Labor & Employment Law Workshop, March 2016
  • “Effective Documentation, Discipline, and Discharge,” presented at SHRM 3rd Annual Supervisor Training, October 2015
  • “FLSA Intensive Series: Preparing for the anticipated changes to the White Collar Exemptions,” presented at Constangy Breakfast Briefing, August 2015
  • “Flying High: Drugs in the Workplace,” presented at Florida Labor-Management Conference, August 2015
  • "An essential element of effective advocacy is knowing when to raise your voice, when to whisper, and when to just listen."

Practice Emphasis

  • Trade Secret Protection
  • Defense of Non-Profits, Public Entities, and Hospitality
  • ADA, FMLA, and Leave Issues
  • Internal Investigations and Defense
  • Hiring and Firing
  • EEOC and FCHR Charge Response and Defense
  • Drug Testing
  • Effects of Marijuana Legalization for Employers
  • Grievance Arbitration Hearings and Briefs
  • Administrative Proceedings and Hearings

Education

University of Florida College of Law

  • J.D., cum laude, 2009
  • Dean's List
  • Book Awards: Legal Research & Writing, Evidence, and Trial Practice
  • Teaching Assistant: Legal Research & Writing, Appellate Advocacy, and Trial Practice
  • William A. Jacob Scholarship Recipient
  • Clifford W. Crandall Memorial Scholarship Recipient
  • Criminal Law Association
  • John Marshall Bar Association

University of South Florida

  • B.A., Mass Communications, magna cum laude, 2000
  • Dean's List
  • Top Scholar Award
  • Kappa Tau Alpha Honor Society

Bar & Court Admissions

  • Florida, 2009
  • Supreme Court of the United States
  • United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
  • United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida
  • United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida
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