ABOUT RICK LARSON - Larson has been an attorney since 1978, when he began law practice in Las Vegas, NV. Rick initially served as a prosecutor for Clark County (Las Vegas), NV handling high profile criminal cases. He then opened his own private law practice where he engaged in both civil and criminal litigation in state and federal courts. Rick then was recruited by Universal Studios, Inc., in Los Angeles, CA, where he served as Director of Human Resources, and led both unionized and non-union workforces.

Rick moved to Orlando, FL, in 1988 as a key member of the senior management team charged with the responsibility to open and operate Universal Orlando Resort. As Vice President Human Resources, Rick was responsible for the development of the Human Resources, Management Training and Development and Employee Relations functions, among others. For 15 years, Rick directed the employment policies and best Human Resources employment practices at the world-class visitor destination.

After a 20-year career with Universal, Rick was appointed Senior Vice President People Services and Organizational Development for Nickelodeon Suites Resort, Orlando, Florida, where he developed the Human Resources function and legal compliance strategies.

Rick subsequently joined a major Florida law firm as senior labor and employment counsel where he represented clients in state and federal courts on a variety of litigated workplace issues. He then began his own Human Resources consulting practice supporting Central Florida companies seeking to develop competitive best Human Resources legal compliance practices. Rick opened his Winter Garden law office in 2014 to serve growing client needs in Winter Garden, Clermont, Orlando and Greater Central Florida.

Rick is actively sought by business groups throughout Central Florida as a public speaker on current employment and labor issues. An active member of the Florida Bar since 2005, he has testified as an expert employment witness before the U.S. Civil Rights Commission in Washington, D.C. Rick also has served as an expert employment and Human Resources witness in civil litigation in Florida and Washington, D.C.

Rick is a current instructor at the University of Central Florida Office of Continuing Education where he teaches Employment Law to Human Resources professionals seeking Human Resources credential certification by the Society of Human Resources Management (“SHRM”). Rick is also an active SHRM member.

As an Orlando resident, Rick has been an active partner within the greater Central Florida Orlando community for more than 25 years. Rick has served on many community boards including the Metropolitan Orlando Urban League, the Orlando Science Center, Goodwill Industries of Central Florida and the Employers’ Association of Florida. Currently, he is on the Board of Directors of the Central Florida Employment Council, which provides support, and Human Resources networking opportunities to some 800 Central Florida companies. Rick is also an active member of the Rotary Club of Dr. Phillips that supports many worthy causes throughout the Central Florida Orlando region.

Education: Bachelor of Arts, Political Science and Geography (double major) University of California, Davis, CA; Masters in Journalism, University of California, Berkeley, CA; Juris Doctor, Southwestern Law School (Associate Editor, Law Review), Los Angeles, CA.