Richard A. Gilbert
Shareholder
A practicing lawyer in Tampa for more than 40 years, Rich has extensive experience in complex civil trials, is rated “AV” by Martindale-Hubbell and is board certified in civil trial law and was board certified in business litigation from 1997 to 2022. He has been selected by his peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America every year since 2003 in three categories: Commercial Litigation, Medical Malpractice Law – Plaintiffs, and Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs. He is one in a distinguished group of attorneys who have been listed in Best Lawyers for 10 years or longer. In 2021, Mr. Gilbert was recognized by Tampa Style Magazine as one of Tampa’s leading attorneys. He was recognized as the Best Lawyers 2022 “Lawyer of the Year” for Medical Malpractice Law – Plaintiffs.
Other awards include being selected as one of the leading 500 plaintiffs’ trial lawyers in America by Law Dragon Magazine in 2007 and one of the top one hundred Florida Super Lawyers in 2006 and 2007. In addition, Rich has been selected by his peers as a Florida Super Lawyer from 2006 through 2021, as well being listed in the top 100 lawyers in the State in 2006 and 2007. Rich has won multi-million dollar jury awards in commercial, personal injury, and professional liability litigation, and has served as lead trial counsel in four trials receiving national attention. He is a widely published legal author whose articles have appeared in the Hillsborough County Bar Association journal, the Lawyer, and in the Trial Lawyers Section of The Florida Bar publication, The Advocate.
Bar Admissions:
The U.S. Supreme Court – 1985
U.S. Court of Appeals, 11th Circuit – 1981
U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida – 1977
U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida – 1975
The Florida Bar – 1974
Ohio Bar – 1973
Representative Community Involvement:
Rich has an abiding interest in advancing ethics and professionalism, and in assuring that underprivileged citizens enjoy equal access to the justice system. To that end, he has chaired the Florida State Commission on Ethics, the Governor’s Task Force to Promote Ethics in Government (1990) and he chaired the Professional Standards Committee for the Hillsborough County Bar Association which led to the statewide adoption of the Guidelines for Professional Conduct. Rich also served as Chair of the Board of Directors of Southern Legal Counsel, Inc., a not-for-profit public interest law firm that provides representation to disadvantaged citizens on matters with broad implications for the legal system.
Representative Professional Affiliations:
Florida Bar Association
- Past Chairman of the Trial Lawyers Section (1998-1999)
- Board of Governors, Past Member (1999 – 2003)
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While serving on the Board of Governors, Rich was twice a member of the Executive Committee, Co-Chair of the Multidisciplinary Practice Committee, Chair of the Multijurisdictional Committee, and Chair of the Legislative Committee.
- Professionalism Committee (1992 – 1995)
Hillsborough County Bar Association
- Past President – 1995-1996 (Centennial Year)
- Board of Directors (1993 – 1997)
- Trial Lawyers Section, Chair (1996 – 1997)
- Trial Lawyers Section, Executive Council, member (1991 – 1997)
- Professional Standards Committee, Chair (1993 – 1994)
American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA)
- Past President of the Tampa Bay chapter (1997 – 1998)
- Fellow of the ABOTA Foundation (2003 – Present)
Stetson College of Law
- Adjunct Professor of Trial Advocacy (2003)
