28 RumbergerKirk Attorneys Named to the 2026 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®
Dan Gerber and Leonard Dietzen Named “Lawyer of the Year;” Three Named “Ones to Watch” ORLANDO, FL – August 21,...
Mike Forte practices in the areas of trucking, casualty and product liability. He defends clients in trucking accidents involving negligence, catastrophic injury and wrongful death in both state and federal courts. A large portion of his practice involves defending Canadian drivers in lawsuits stemming from Florida accidents. Mike has written and lectured extensively on cross-border issues important to Canadians. He also defends manufacturers of medical equipment and exercise equipment, as well as automobile and airplane manufacturers in product liability matters, and represents retail companies across the state in matters involving negligent security and premises liability.
Plaintiff rear-ended a stopped commercial vehicle, resulting in the implantation of a spinal cord stimulator and over $600,000 in past medical specials. After the end of the first day of trial in Orange County Circuit Court with the jury sworn, the Plaintiff settled for less than the most recent pre-trial demand.
This breach of contract case involved work performed at a juice processing plant. Tried in Pinellas County Circuit Court with Judge Michael Andrews, the jury awarded just $20,000 of the Plaintiff’s request for $72,000.
In this automobile admitted liability and permanency case, the Plaintiff’s spleen ruptured and required emergency surgery. The Plaintiff attorneys asked the Seminole County Circuit Court jury to award $2,562,819.23. The jury award no future medical specials and no future pain and suffering, resulting in a verdict of $190,000.
Obtained a final summary judgment on judicial estoppel grounds in Polk County on behalf of Coke Florida. Plaintiff claimed he was injured at a grocery store. Shortly after the alleged incident took place, Plaintiff filed a “no asset bankruptcy” representing to the bankruptcy court he had no potential claims or assets despite the fact that he was simultaneously pursuing claims for alleged damages against Coke Florida and the grocery store. The Circuit Court held judicial estoppel applied because Plaintiff used intentional self-contradiction to obtain an unfair advantage in litigation, entering final summary judgment in Coke Florida’s favor.
An automobile accident resulted in neck strain and $66,971 in past medical specials. The case was tried in Polk County Clerk of Court with Judge James Yancey. Plaintiff’s attorneys requested the jury to award $300,000 to $600,000, but instead, the jury awarded a net verdict of $65,354.73, with no pain and suffering.
A rear-end collision resulted in a two-level lumbar discectomy and fusion with over $500,000 in past medical bills. The Pinellas County Circuit Court jury returned a defense verdict for our clients.
An automobile accident between a commercial van and the Plaintiff’s SUV resulted in a rollover of the SUV with the Plaintiff being ejected. The Polk County Circuit Court jury found no permanent injury and 75% comparative negligence on the Plaintiff for failure to wear her seatbelt, resulting in a verdict of $162,500. The Plaintiff’s counsel asked the jury to award $2.275 million and rejected Defendants’ proposal for settlement resulting in payment of attorneys’ fees and costs and Plaintiff owing $138,758.49 to Defendants after applicable set-offs.
In this construction defect case in Pinellas County Circuit Court, Plaintiff’s counsel asked the jury to award $2.2 million. The jury returned a defense verdict for our client.
In this automobile accident case tried in Hillsborough County Circuit Court, the Plaintiff’s counsel asked the jury to award $2.2 million. The jury found no permanent injury, resulting in an $18,000 judgment.
In this burn case resulting from a brake cleaning explosion, a settlement was reached on day four of the trial in Hillsborough County Circuit Court for less than Plaintiff’s most recent demand before trial.
Stetson University College of Law — J.D., cum laude, 2002
University of Florida — B.A., English and Political Science, high honors, 1999