Michael Forte practices in the areas of casualty defense, construction and product liability. In his casualty defense practice, Michael prepresents national retailers as well as local apartment complexes. He also represents contractors and subcontractors sued for commercial and residential construction projects. Michael's product liability work includes the defense of automobile and aviation manufacturers, as well as the defense of manufacturers in breach of warranty matters.

Honors

· Florida Super Lawyers Rising Star 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012

Notable Cases

· Chery v. Haines City

· Mason v. Peabody & Arnold, LLP

· Hall v. Kmart Corporation

· Thorne v. Temples

· Messing v. Mazda Motor of America, Inc.

· Austin v. Sears Home Improvement Products, Inc.

· Ciporkin v. Irwin Contracting, Inc. v. Mark 1 Contracting, Inc

· May v. Kmart

Professional & Civic Activities

· The Florida Bar
- Thirteenth Circuit Unlicensed Practice of Law Committee
- Small Claims Rules Committee
- Trial Lawyers Section

· Hillsborough County Bar Association
- Professionalism and Ethics Committee, Past Member
- Trial Lawyers Section

· Risk Insurance Management Society

· Florida Defense Lawyers Association

· Defense Research Institute

Articles & Presentations

· "Police Chief Named in Lawsuit: What Now?," Police Chief Magazine, Vol. 37, No. 2, Spring 2013, Author

· "Lessons Learned from a Close Call: Releasing Intoxicated Persons from Custody," Police Chief Magazine, Vol. 36, No. 3, Summer 2012, Author

· "The Expanding Safety Responsibilities of Crane Operators," Greater Constructor Magazine, Q1, P15, 2005, Co-Author

· "DUI Crashes & Officer Liability: The Sovereign Immunity Doctrine Is Limited," Law Officer Police & Enforcement, lawofficer.com/article/patrol/dui-crashes-officer-liability, August 16, 2011, Author

· "DUI Crashes: Officer Liability," Police Chief Magazine, Vol. 25, No. 4, Summer 2011, Author

· "Mold: Why the Lawsuits Have (Almost) Disappeared," Bay Area Apartment Association Bayline Magazine, P. 12, July 2011, Author

· "Sexual Assaults at Work: When Can the Employer Be Held Liable?" Florida Underwriter Magazine, Vol. 28, No. 7, August 2011, Author

· "Defending against Res Ipsa Loquitur in Personal Injury Lawsuits," Florida Apartment Association Multifamily Florida Magazine, P. 19, Summer 2011, Author

· "Protecting Yourself against a Personal Injury Lawsuit," Florida Apartment Association E-Connect Newsletter, http://www.naylornetwork.com/fap-nwl/articles/index-v4.asp?aid=144538&issueID=23471, May 2011, Author , 5/1/2011

· "Sunshine Auto Coverage," Canadian Underwriter Magazine, P. 66, August 2011, Author

· "DUI Crashes: Trooper Liability," Florida Association of State Troopers Fast Forward Newsletter, Vol. 24, No. 8, August 2011, Author

· "Sliding Glass Doors: Defending against Claims of Excessive Pull Forces," DRI Critical Path Newsletter, Vol. 16, No. 2, July 2012, Author

· "Balcony Puddles," Concrete Construction Magazine, http://www.concreteconstruction.net/concrete-flatwork/balcony-puddles.aspx, February 2012, Author

· "Drafting Wills for Clients Who Move to Florida: How Long Is Florida's Long Arm Statute for Legal Malpractice?," The Underwriter's Insider, Vol. 9, Issue 1, January 2012, Author

· "Out-of-State Incapacitated Plaintiffs: Are They Really 'Parties' for the Purposes of Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.380(d)?," Trial Advocate Quarterly, Vol. 31, No. 1, January 2012, Author

· "Misreading the Recipe: How the Court in Santa Fe Independent School District v. Doe Failed to Appreciate the 'Ingredients' of Equal Access and Student Choice in a Policy Providing for After-School Religions Speech," Stetson Law Review, Vol. 31, No. 2, Winter 2002, Author

· "Exception to Rule Allows Employees to Sue in Tort," National Law Journal, Vol. 25, No. 48, July 2003, Co-Author

· "Corporate Clients in Explaining Excusable Neglect," Lawyer Magazine, Vol. 19, No. 8, May 2009, Author

· "Are Salespeople Responsible for Their Customers' Injuries?," Sales & Marketing Magazine, www.trainingmag.com, June 2009, Co-Author

Community Involvement

· All Children's Hospital, Voice4AllKids Advocate

Selected Industries

Retail & Hospitality

Construction

News

Twelve RKC Attorneys Named Florida Super Lawyers: Seven Named as Rising Stars

Thirteen Rumberger Kirk & Caldwell Attorneys Named Florida Super Lawyers: Seven Named as Rising Stars

Rob Blank and Mike Forte Convince Jury to Find No Permanent Injury

Rumberger Kirk & Caldwell Names Two New Partners: LaShawnda K. Jackson And Michael L. Forte

Twelve Rumberger Kirk & Caldwell Attorneys Named Florida Super Lawyers: Seven Named as Rising Stars

Rumberger Kirk & Caldwell Attorney Mike Forte Wins Appeal for Kmart

Fifteen Rumberger Attorneys Named Florida Super Lawyers: Seven Named as Rising Stars

Articles

Sliding Glass Doors: Defending against Claims of Excessive Pull Forces

DUI Crashes: Officer Liability

"Are Sales People Responsible for Their Customers' Injuries?"

"Corporate Clients in Explaining Excusable Neglect"

The Expanding Safety Responsibilities of Crane Operators, Constructor Magazine

"Exception to Rule Allows Employees to Sue in Tort", National Law Journal, vol. 25 no. 48

ShopTalk

Safeguarding against Litigation for Property Management Companies