Michael Lewis Forte

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Michael Lewis Forte: Attorney with Rumberger, Kirk & Caldwell Professional Association
Attorney Awards
  • Martindale-Hubbell Peer AV Preeminent Rating
  • Gold Client Champion
About Attorney Awards

Biography

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.

Awards & Honors

•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
•Listed in Best Lawyers in America, Litigation-Insurance, 2022-2026

Articles & Presentations

•Author, 'A Quick Note Regarding Surveillance Reports in Florida,' October 2024
•Panelist, 'Auto & Transportation Committee Roundtable,' Florida Defense Lawyers Association, April 2024
•Author, 'Additur for Future Pain and Suffering Damages,' FDLA Trial Advocate, March 2024
•Co-Presenter, 'Investigating the How and Why of Motorcycle Accidents,' Florida Defense Lawyers Association, February 2024
•Author, 'A Quick Note about Removal with Less Than $75,000 in Medical Specials,' November 13, 2023
•Author, 'Tips for Young Lawyers: CME Location,' Trial Advocate, November 18, 2021
•Co-presenter, 'Claims Management Challenges and Settlement Strategies,' CEU Institute, November 11, 2021
•Co-Author, 'A Quick Note about Pain and Suffering Disclosures in Federal Court,' November 2021
•Co-Host, 'Automotive and Trucking Accidents in the U.S. with Foreign Defendants: What Insurers Need to Know,' Legally Qualified Podcast, August 2021
•Presenter, 'The Seven Privileges: Protecting Confidentiality of Florida Defendants,' Celesq Virtual Webinar, June 1, 2021
•Author, 'Landowner’s Duty of Care in Florida, and the Special Case of Contractors,' April 2021
•Author, 'A Quick Note About Florida PIP Setoffs Without PIP Insurance,' March 2021
•Author, 'The Seven Privileges: Protecting Confidentiality of Florida Defendants,' Daily Business Review, March 17, 2021
•Co-Author, 'Florida Car Accident Lawsuits: How to Apply the Brakes on Plaintiffs,' Without Prejudice, Official Journal of the Ontario Insurance Adjusters Association, Vol. 85. No. 7. March 2021
•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, '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

02.05.2026
Firm News

Pinellas County Jury Rejects $2M+ Damages Claim in Trucking Accident Case

In an admitted liability tractor-trailer accident case, a Pinellas County...

08.21.2025
Firm News

27 RumbergerKirk Attorneys Named to the 2026 edition of The Best Lawyers in America

Dan Gerber and Leonard Dietzen Named “Lawyer of the Year;”...

10.18.2024
Casualty Litigation

A Quick Note Regarding Surveillance Reports in Florida

In Florida, if you want to use surveillance footage at...

Photo: Shutterstock/Aleksandrkozak

08.15.2024
Firm News

Best Lawyers in America 2025 Edition Recognizes 24 RumbergerKirk Attorneys

Two Named “Lawyer of the Year” and Two Named “Ones...

04.08.2024
Casualty Litigation

Additur for Future Pain and Suffering Damages

When a jury’s verdict is unreasonably low, the presiding judge...

Shutterstock.com/sebra

01.16.2024
Media Mentions

DRI Members Share Their Victories, The Voice

DRI, the leading organization of civil defense attorneys and in-house...

11.13.2023
Casualty Litigation

A Quick Note about Removal with Less Than $75,000 in Medical Specials

Removing a case to federal court requires diversity of citizenship...

Photo: Shutterstock.com/Andrey_Popov

08.17.2023
Firm News

Best Lawyers in America Recognizes 24 RumbergerKirk Attorneys with Managing Partner Frank Sheppard Named Lawyer of the Year

ORLANDO, FL - August 17, 2023 - Best Lawyers has...

08.19.2022
Firm News

23 RumbergerKirk Attorneys Named to Best Lawyers in America 2023

Orlando, Fla., August 18, 2022 - RumbergerKirk is pleased to...

11.18.2021
Casualty Litigation

Tips for Young Lawyers: CME Location

You have analyzed the medical records, retained a medical expert...

Photo: Shutterstock.com/JOKE_PHATRAPONG

See more ›

Areas of Practice (13)

  • Casualty Litigation
  • Product Liability
  • Construction
  • Governmental and Administrative
  • Class Actions
  • Trucking Litigation
  • Retail & Hospitality
  • Government
  • Healthcare
  • Transportation
  • General Practice
  • Arbitration
  • Personal Injury

Education & Credentials

University Attended:
University of Florida, B.A., English and Political Science, with high honors, 1999
Law School Attended:
Stetson University, College of Law, J.D., cum laude, 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. LeemanAward 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, 2002
Year of First Admission:
2002
Admission:
2002, Florida; 2008, Ohio; U.S. Court of Appeals, 11th Circuit; U.S. District Courts of Florida (Middle)
Memberships:

Professional

•Risk Insurance Management Society, Executive Board Member
•Florida Defense Lawyers Association
•Automotive/Transportation Committee, Chair
•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

Birth Information:
Smithtown, New York, April 27, 1977
Reported Cases:
Notable Cases: McMichael v. Kee (January 2026): Admitted liability case in which a tractor trailer rear-ended the plaintiff's stopped car. The plaintiff's attorney asked the jury for $2 million. The jury returned a verdict of $76,635 triggering RumbergerKirk's entitlement to attorneys' fees under the proposal for settlement statute.; Dixon v. William (October 2025): Case regarding lane change accident involving tractor trailer. Plaintiff asked the jury for $1.7 million. The Court declared a mistrial when the jury reached an impasse after six hours of deliberating on question number one on the verdict form regarding whether the driver was negligent.; Huntley v. Simental (October 2025): Admitted liability case in which Plaintiff asked the jury for $3.4 million. The jury awarded a net verdict of $55,421, after which we filed motions for attorneys' fees, setoffs and remittitur.; Fair v. JLR Trucking (July 2025): 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.; Walton's v. TCCC (December 2023): 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.; Sinclair v. Degraw (February 2023): 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.; Hersh v Coke Florida: 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.; Key v. C.C. Calhoun (May 2022): 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.; Anderson v. Schroth (October 2018): 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.; Dorman v. Taylor (December 2016): 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.; Ciporkin v. Irwin Contracting (February 2013): 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.; Thorne v. Patricia Temples, Marshall Temples and Eric Wiseman (February 2011): 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.; Heinke v. Hi-Power (March 2006): 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.
ISLN:
917047785

Peer Reviews

5.0/5.0 (14 reviews)
Martindale-Hubbell® AV Preeminent Rating Badge

  • Legal Knowledge

    4.9/5.0

  • Analytical Capability

    5.0/5.0

  • Judgment

    5.0/5.0

  • Communication

    4.9/5.0

  • Legal Experience

    4.9/5.0

  • 4.8/5.0 Rated by a Associate on 09/30/13 in Personal Injury Defense

    Mike Forte is one of the most hard-working and proactive attorneys I know. If I was sued, I would trust him to represent me.

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  • 5.0/5.0 Rated by a Staff Lawyer on 09/30/13 in Civil Litigation

    Mr. Forte was a pleasure to deal with in any circumstance. For example, he was always professional even when we were representing co-defendants whose interests were not aligned. He is an asset to the legal profession. I wish more attorneys behaved li... Read more

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  • 5.0/5.0 Rated by a Partner on 09/20/13 in Tort Defense

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  • 5.0/5.0 Rated by a Partner on 09/12/13 in Litigation

    Mike Forte is an excellent attorney and very deserving of the highest ratings both in ethics and legal ability. I would rate him AV.

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  • 5.0/5.0 Rated by a Associate on 07/01/13 in Defense Litigation

    I have known Mr. Forte personally and professionally for over 13 years. He has an excellent reputation and is a well-respected member of the Florida Bar.

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  • 5.0/5.0 Rated by a Senior Associate on 07/01/13 in Personal Injury Defense

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  • 5.0/5.0 Rated by a Associate on 06/26/13 in Premises Liability Defense

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  • 5.0/5.0 Rated by a Associate on 06/26/13 in Personal Injury Defense

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  • 5.0/5.0 Rated by a Associate on 06/26/13 in Insurance

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  • 5.0/5.0 Rated by a Principal on 06/17/13 in Civil Litigation

    Mr. Forte is always well prepared and extremely thorough in all of the cases I have been involved with him.

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Peer reviews submitted prior to 2008 are not displayed.

Other Legal Directories

Lawyers Client Review
5.0/5.0 (6 reviews)
Gold Client Champion

Michael Forte provides us with superior legal representation in the greater Tampa Bay area.

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Client Reviews Write a Review

Location

Contact Michael Lewis Forte

Contact Information:

813-221-4752  Fax

www.rumberger.com

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