Ben H. Cristal, Esq.

Ben is originally from Long Island, NY where he received his Bachelor of Science degree in the dual majors of Economics and Business Management from the State University of New York at Stony Brook. After a couple of years of working as a stockbroker, Ben turned his attention to the legal obstacles faced by business. He then attended the Hofstra University School of Law where he was published in the Hofstra Labor Journal in the Spring 1996 edition with a note entitled Going Beyond the Judicially Prescribed Boundaries of the Americans with Disabilities Act and also served as Notes and Comments Editor for the Hofstra Labor Law Journal. Immediately following graduation, Ben moved to Florida and was admitted to the Florida Bar in 1996.

Since Ben began his legal career, he has engaged in the exclusive representation of Employers and Business Community throughout the State of Florida handling all the legal needs of his clients. Ben’s focus has primarily been in the defense of Florida Employers in matters involving Employment litigation, Workers’ Compensation claims, Wage and Hour claims, Wrongful Termination lawsuits, Charges of Employment Discrimination, Civil Rights under Title VII and Public Accommodations, Sports Law, Management-side Collective Bargaining Negotiations, Unfair Labor Practice litigation and cases falling under the United States Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act. Ben also prepares and handles litigation involving Employment Contracts as well as Non-Compete Agreements.

Ben regularly advises employers on a full array of employment-related matters as well as procedures and business plans. Ben helps Businesses manage government regulation at all levels to include compliance and audits dealing with the Division of Workers’ Compensation, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the Florida Commission on Human Relations (FCHR) the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) and the Wage & Hour Division. He also assists in the drafting of Client Service Agreement for PEOs and helps to create return-to-work programs.

Ben founded Cristal Law Group in December 2006 which primarily serves the Tampa Bay business community but also handles cases in the counties of Hillsborough, Pinellas, Manatee, Sarasota, Pasco, Hernando, Polk, Charlotte, Lee, Marion, Alachua, Citrus, Levy, Hardee, Highlands, Desoto and Orange. He regularly lectures throughout the State of Florida and routinely blogs on the latest employment issues. Ben is certified by the Florida Department of Financial Services as an instructor in Workers' Compensation as well as General Lines (Property & Casualty) allowing him to offer CEU credits for professionals throughout the insurance industry.

Ben is admitted to practice in all the Courts of the State of Florida including the U.S. District Courts for the Middle and Southern Districts of Florida. He is a member of the Hillsborough County Bar Association (Member, Workers' Compensation Section); The Florida Bar (Member, Workers' Compensation, Labor and Employment and Sports and Entertainment Law Sections).

Ben is a Board-Member and financial supporter of Community Action Stops Abuse (CASA) which is the official domestic violence center for Pinellas County and has provided lifesaving services to women, children, and men living with domestic violence for over 40 years. Ben is also is a past Board-Member and financial supporter of the Lawyers for Autism Awareness Foundation.

Ben is married to Heather, the love of his life. Together Ben and Heather have six (6) amazing children. Consequently, Ben has no hobbies.