Justia Legal Services & Lawyers Directory

I have practiced law continuously since 1993, focusing almost exclusively on the employment relationship. I am admitted to practice law in Florida (Florida Bar) and Texas (State Bar of Texas). I am also admitted to practice law before the United States Supreme Court and numerous federal courts with jurisdiction in Florida and Texas. Since year 2000, I have been Board Certified, Labor & Employment Law, by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. I am a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA).

I attended the University of South Florida, in Tampa, Florida, and graduated with a undergraduate Bachelor of Arts degree (B.A., 1986) and a graduate Master of Arts degree (M.A., 1987). After graduate school, I worked for several years as an investigator for the federal government (EEOC & DOL). I then attended the Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law in Dallas, Texas, from which I graduated with a Juris Doctor degree (J.D., 1993).

After graduation from law school, I worked for an employment law firm, Gillespie, Rozen, Tanner & Watsky, PC. In 2000, I opened my own law practice, continuing my focus on employment law. Today, my employment practice includes Texas and Florida, with a particular focus on Gulf Coast and Central Florida as well as North and Central Texas. I represent both employers and employees.

Attorney Dale James Morgado brings diverse experience to the firm by combining large and boutique law firm experience, with an M.B.A. and J.D., effectively counseling clients in a business, defense, and plaintiff capacity. He began his legal career clerking for Phipps P.C. more than a decade ago; only to soon join one of Bostonâs 50 largest law firms, Deutsch, William, Brooks, Derensis & Holland. After attending law school in Connecticut, he began practicing as an attorney at the Hartford office of the nationally recognized ERISA plaintiffs firm Moukawsher & Walsh. After moving from New England to Florida, Attorney Morgado practiced with the 140-lawyer defense firm Gunster, Yoakley & Stewart in the firmâs Chambers recognized ERISA and Employee Benefit practice group. Attorney Morgado has focused his practice on ERISA and employment law throughout his entire legal career, both from a transactional and litigation standpoint and has worked on both sides of the bench, making him one of a few practioners to gain an understanding of these practice areas from the defendant, plaintiff, and business perspective. He leads the firm when it comes to ERISA and certain employment law matters.

Bar & Court Admissions

The Florida Bar
The Connecticut Bar
The United States Tax Court
Middle District of Florida
District of Connecticut
Southern District of New York

Published Works

Author of “Economic Consequences to Companies, States, and Municipalities Sponsoring Pension Plans from the Recent Market Losses and Potential ERISA Fiduciary Liability to Investment Advisers that Follow.” April 2009 Employee Benefit Plan Review


Author of “The Death Tax – How Will Obama’s Tax Plan Affect Your Estate Plan.” Published in December 2008 LeMieux Report

Co-Author of “Blessings Point to Cash Balance Prosperity for Interested Advisers.” Published in the September 2008 Employee Benefit Adviser


Author of “Sell it But Don’t Overstate it Unless You Want to Get Sued: When Does ERISA Liability Attach.” Published in the July 2008 Employee Benefit Adviser

Co-Author of “The Pension Protection Act Brings Sweeping Changes.” Published in the 2007 Connecticut Bar Association Employment Quarterly Vol. 13 Issue 2


Co-Author of “A Federal Agency Says You Are Disabled…And A District Court Agrees, The Relevance of Social Security Disability Findings in ERISA Disability Insurance Benefit Litigation.” Published in the 2007 Connecticut Bar Association Employment Quarterly Vol. 13 Issue 3


Contributor to American Bar Associations Subcommittee on Benefit Claims and Individual Rights for 2007 Mid-Winter Report of Claims Procedures and Remedies for Procedural Violations

Past or Present Professional Associations and Memberships

American Bar Association
American Society of Pension Professionals and Actuaries
The Greater Fort Lauderdale Tax Council
Connecticut Bar Association
Connecticut Trial Lawyers Association
Broward County Bar Association
Florida Bar Association
Hartford County Bar Association

Representative Matters

Richards v. Fleetboston Financial Corp et. al. , 3:04-cv-01638, (cash balance class action litigation regarding whipsaw, fiduciary duties, 204(h) disclosure, and age discrimination)

Pugliese v. United Tech Corp. , 3:06-cv-01013, (golden handshake litigation regarding breach of fiduciary duty and misrepresentation under ERISA 502(a)(3))

Sparveri v. Town of Rocky Hill , 3:05 -cv-00376, (42 U.S.C. 1983 action regarding breach of municipal pension plan terms)

Goldberg v. United Illuminating Company , 3:06 -cv-01358, (defined benefit plan claim under ERISA 502(a)(1)(B) to enforce pension plan terms)

Hospital for Special Care v. Donna Abram, et. al. , Doc. No. CV-07-5006097 (defense of contract collection on behalf of fiduciary)

Regan v. City of Torrington , Doc. No. CV-07-5005888-S, (breach of contract claim regarding medical and disability pension benefits)

Sublette et. al. v. FedEx, Doc. No. 04-3013 Ma/P, (golden handshake litigation involving breach of fiduciary duty and misrepresentation under ERISA 502(a)(3))

Kajda v. SNET , Doc. No. CV-07-5010107-S (severance litigation concerning fiduciary duties, misrepresentation and violation of employee fringe benefits under C.G.S. Sec. 31-76k)

Thompson, et al. v. Linvatec Corporation, et. al ., Doc. No. 06-cv-404 (class action ERISA claim for severance benefits involving breach of fiduciary duty under 502(a)(3), violation of ERISA summary plan description requirements under ERISA Sec. 102, and benefit claims under 502(a)(1)(B))

Arivella et. al. v. Lucent , C.A. No. 08-10398 , (claim for benefits under ERISA 502(a)(1)(B), common law fraud, and breach of fiduciary duty under 502(a)(3))

Lavoie v. SBC , Doc. No. 3:04-cv-1116, (litigation regarding serious consideration test, breach of fiduciary duty, and misrepresentation of severance plan benefits)

Morse v. Shape , Case No. 09-014965 (fraud, unjust enrichment, contract and civil theft action)

In Re United States Sugar Corporation Litigation CV- 08-80101 (ERISA class action against U.S. Sugar, company executives, board, fiduciaries and ESOP plan, alleging breach of fiduciary duties, breach of duty)

Maria is a native of Tarpon Springs, Florida and a graduate of Tarpon Springs High School. She also attended secondary school at the St. Nicholas Greek School where she was honored as a Lady's Philoptohos Fellowship recipient. She is bilingual in Greek.

Maria received her Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Central Florida with a 3.86 GPA. She received her Juris Doctor from Quinnipiac University School of Law in Hamden, Connecticut. Maria received honors for Academic Achievement in Juvenile Law, Service to the Community and the Connecticut Title Insurance Company.

Initially, Maria was a law clerk for Yale Law School where she conducted research and prepared updated policies to conform with Federal Regulations. Thereafter, she worked as an associate for a law firm in New Haven, Connecticut where she handled thousands of personal injury claims, as well as condominium administration cases. Because of the long winters, she relocated back to Daytona Beach, Florida and worked as an Assistant State Attorney throughout the 7th Judicial Circuit prosecuting such offenses as DUI, drug possession, theft and battery.

Maria went into private practice where she handles criminal law, personal injury, labor law, and family law cases. She has tried a variety of criminal cases ranging from simple misdemeanors to DUI with serious bodily injury. Maria’s civil experience ranges from contract work, auto accidents, dog bites, slip and falls, premise liability and various business law matters. Maria has represented thousands of injured persons.

She also served as General Counsel and Associate General Counsel to public employee labor unions representing members (mostly law enforcement) for duty related incidents, filing grievances and negotiating contracts. Her duties also included serving as the critical incident respondent and team legal participant for the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Law Enforcement League. Maria has trained and represented hundreds of law enforcement officers in matters involving the use of deadly force.

Maria is also a former Adjunct Professor of Keiser University where she taught Business Law and Criminal Law.

In her spare time, Maria volunteered by assisting the New Haven Housing Authority and the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice as their attorney. Maria also enjoys traveling and spending time with her family.