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Michael L. Forte

Partner
Tampa Office
813.472.7521
mforte@
rumberger.com
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Practices

  • Casualty Litigation
  • Product Liability
  • Trucking
  • Construction
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    Profile

    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.

    Details

    • Retail and Hospitality
    • Transportation

    • Risk Insurance Management Society, Executive Board Member
    • Florida Defense Lawyers Association, Trial Advocate Quarterly Chair of Editorial Board
    • The Florida Bar
      • Florida Bar Journal, Past Editorial Board Member
      • Thirteenth Circuit Unlicensed Practice of Law Committee A, Past Chairperson
      • Small Claims Rules Committee, Past Member
      • Trial Lawyers Section
    • Hillsborough County Bar Association
      • Young Lawers Division Professionalism and Ethics Committee, Past Member
      • Trial Lawyers Section

    Stetson University College of Law — J.D., cum laude, 2002

    • Notes and Comments Editor, Stetson Law Review 
    • Intern to the Honorable Magistrate Jenkins, Middle District of Florida
    • Stetson University Teaching Fellow
    • Stetson University Research Assistant
    • Elizabeth M. Leeman Award for best student article published in the Stetson Law Review, 2001-2002
    • First place in Stetson Law Review Write-On Competition for “Zadvydas v. Underwood: How to Ignore Substantive Due Process Rights in Two Easy Steps,” 2001

    University of Florida — B.A., English and Political Science, high honors, 1999

    • Ohio — 2008
    • Florida — 2002

    • U.S. District Courts of Florida (Middle)
    • U.S. Court of Appeals, 11th Circuit

    • Named a "40 under 40 Up & Comer" by the Tampa Bay Business Journal, 2014
    • Florida Defense Lawyers Association Trial Advocate Quarterly Award, 2014
    • AV-Rated by Martindale-Hubbell
    • Florida Super Lawyers Rising Star, Personal Injury Defense-General, 2009-2017

    • Co-Presenter, "COVID-19 Business Interruption Claims and Bad Faith," RIMS, The Risk Management Society, November 18, 2020
    • Author, "Using Vicarious Liability to Defeat Employer Negligence Claims," The Trial Advocate, a publication of The Florida Defense Lawyers Association, Volume 39. Number 2., June 2020
    • Author, "Combating Permanency Without a Defense Medical Expert," Trial Advocate Quarterly, Vol. 37, No. 1, Winter 2018
    • Co-Presenter, "Defense Strategies Giving You the Most Bang for Your Buck," Claims Education Conference, May 2018, New Orleans
    • Author, "Removal: An Important Defense Tool in U.S. Lawsuits against Canadians," Ontario Insurance Adjusters Association, Without Prejudice, September 2017
    • Co-Author, "Punitive Damages: When Are They Available in Premises Liability Lawsuits?," Trial Advocate Quarterly, Vol. 33. No.1, Winter 2014
    • Presenter, "Public Records and Sunshine Law," Tampa Bay Area Chiefs of Police Association, September 2014
    • Co-Author, “Rodriguez v. Miami-Dade County: The Florida Supreme Court Clarifies Certiorari Review in Sovereign Immunity Cases," Florida Bar Journal, Vol. 88, No. 1, January 2014
    • Author, “Admissibility of High-low Agreements in Multi-defendant Litigation,” Florida Bar Journal, Vol. 87, No. 1, November 2013

    Mike's News and Insights

    See All News See All Insights Read Beyond the Bio
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    11.18.2020
    Events

    COVID-19 Business Interruption Claims and Bad Faith

    The global health emergency caused by COVID-19 has either disrupted...

    06.22.2020
    Casualty Litigation

    Using Vicarious Liability to Defeat Employer Negligence Claims

    In lawsuits involving commercial trucking accidents, plaintiffs frequently sue the...

    02.14.2020
    Casualty Litigation

    Nuts and Bolts of Florida’s Seatbelt Defense

    Florida is a popular destination for vacations and second homes. ...

    Photo: Laborant/Shutterstock.com
    10.26.2018
    Firm News

    Rob Blank and Mike Forte Win Appeal Before Second DCA of Florida

    Dorman v. Mid-State Plumbing, Inc. and Gregory Taylor, Case No....

    10.16.2018
    Firm News

    Attorneys Rob Blank and Mike Forte Win Defense Verdict in St. Petersburg

    Attorneys Rob Blank and Mike Forte and paralegal Susan McClugage...

    07.10.2018
    Firm News

    Mike Forte and Jacey Kaps Featured on the Ontario Insurance Adjusters Association (OIAA) WP Radio Monthly Podcast

    Mike Forte and Jacey Kaps were interviewed on WP Radio,...

    05.16.2018
    Firm News

    Mike Forte and Suzanne Singer Talk Defense Strategies at Claims Education Conference

    Michael Forte and Suzanne Singer presented “Defense Strategies that Give...

    03.15.2018
    Casualty Litigation

    Combating Permanency Without a Defense Medical Expert

    Originally published in Trial Advocate Quarterly, Winter 2018, Volume 37,...

    11.01.2017
    Casualty Litigation

    Removal: An Important Defense Tool in U.S. Lawsuits against Canadians

    Orignally published in the Ontario Insurance Adjuster Association’s Journal, Without...

    06.05.2017
    Firm News

    Florida Super Lawyers Names Nine RumbergerKirk Attorneys to 2017 List

    FLORIDA – June 5, 2017 – RumbergerKirk is pleased to...

    See All News See All Insights Read Beyond the Bio

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