Attorney Profile

Elizabeth M. Oakes

Elizabeth Mitchell Oakes is an employment law attorney with an intense passion for justice and a deep sense of compassion for people who have been wronged by their employers. In a typical employment case, the employer enjoys a significant advantage, having power over an important aspect of people’s lives -- their careers, their professions, their jobs, their livelihoods.

If you are, have been, or want to be a licensed professional or an employee in Duval, St. Johns, or Clay County, or throughout the state of Florida, Ms. Oakes can help you assess your specific situation, recommend appropriate action for pursuing any legal claims you may have, and assertively advocate on your behalf, striving to meet your goals and to achieve a just remedy.

Areas of focus 

Education/employment history

Ms. Oakes earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law, in 1994. She was admitted to the California state bar the same year. Ms. Oakes began her legal career in San Francisco, where she worked as a labor and employment litigation associate for a large California law firm, Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton.

After several years, Ms. Oakes accepted an opportunity to work as a career law clerk within the federal judiciary. She worked for U.S. Magistrate Judge Wayne D. Brazil, in the Northern District of California, for the next several years. She was admitted to the Florida state bar in 2006 and has practiced employee-side labor and employment law in Jacksonville since that time. Most recently, Ms. Oakes was the senior attorney for Delegal Law Offices, P.A., in Jacksonville, from March 2006 until the recent launch of her solo practice.

Memberships

Ms. Oakes serves on the executive boards of the Florida Chapter of the National Employment Lawyers Association and the Jacksonville Women Lawyers Association. She is licensed to practice in both Florida and California. She is a member of the American Bar Association, the Jacksonville Bar Association, and the Federal Bar Association. She is active in several sections and committees within these associations, focused on meeting the needs of employees and children with special needs.

• Federal Bar Association (Jacksonville chapter), 2005–present
• Florida Association for Women Lawyers (Jacksonville chapter), Board Member, 2005–present
• Jacksonville Bar Association, 2005–present
• Jacksonville Bar Association, Labor/Employment Law Section, 2005–present
• National Association of Women Lawyers, 2005–present
• American Bar Association, 2006–present
• Florida Bar, Administrative Law Section, 2006–present
• Florida Bar, Labor and Employment Law Section, 2006–present
• Florida Chapter National Employment Lawyers Association, Middle District Representative, 2006–present
• SPED (Special Education) Lawyers of Florida, 2006–present
• Jacksonville Bar Association, Special Needs of Children Committee, Chair of Publications Subcommittee, 2008–2009

Biography

Prior to her law career, Ms. Oakes attended Buchholz High School in Gainesville, Florida, and later graduated with High Honors from the University of Florida in 1978, earning a Bachelor of Science in Journalism and Communications. She and her husband Mike, who met as students at UF and graduated together, embarked on post-college careers, which took them to Tampa, Illinois, Wisconsin, San Francisco, and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They returned home to Florida with their two young sons in 2005. The family now resides in Fruit Cove, just south of Jacksonville, near Julington Creek and Mandarin. They enjoy rooting for the Gators, the Jaguars, and the Steelers, camping in Florida's wonderful state parks, and exploring the state's beaches and other natural wonders.

Let us help

From our modern new office, conveniently located near the intersection of State Road 13 (San Jose Blvd.) and Race Track Road, the Law Offices of Elizabeth M. Oakes, P.A. can represent you in your employment law matter in any administrative, state, or federal court in Duval, St. Johns, or Clay counties, and in administrative and state courts throughout the state of Florida. Contact us by calling 904-436-6211 or online.

It's your career. Fight for it.