John Bales

John Bales is the founding partner of John Bales Attorneys and a highly respected trial lawyer with decades of experience representing individuals and businesses in complex litigation matters. His practice focuses on personal injury, insurance disputes, traumatic brain injuries, child injuries, employment claims, mass torts, construction litigation, and commercial and professional liability matters. Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Business Litigation, Mr. Bales has earned some of the legal profession’s highest distinctions. He holds an AV Preeminent® rating from Martindale-Hubbell, has been recognized as a Florida Super Lawyer, named among Florida Trend’s Legal Elite, and selected by Tampa Bay Magazine as one of Tampa Bay’s Top Lawyers. He is also a member of both the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum. Beyond his litigation practice, Mr. Bales is a frequent lecturer and educator who has presented on personal injury law, insurance coverage, construction disputes, litigation procedure, ethics, and professional liability. His training programs have been used by organizations and corporations to help professionals better understand construction contracts, insurance policies, and risk management. A dedicated leader within the legal profession, Mr. Bales has served in numerous leadership roles with the Hillsborough County Bar Association, including President, President-Elect, Treasurer, and Immediate Past President. He has also served as Vice Chair of The Florida Bar’s Standing Committee on Advertising, chaired grievance and fee arbitration committees, and held leadership positions with the Florida Justice Association and other prominent legal organizations. Mr. Bales has been deeply involved with the American Inns of Court, where he was elected as a Trustee of the American Inns of Court Foundation and served on its Executive Committee. He was also instrumental in organizing the Tampa Bay Inn of Court and remains committed to advancing professionalism, ethics, and excellence within the legal community. His commitment to service extends beyond the courtroom. Throughout his career, Mr. Bales has served on numerous nonprofit, educational, and civic boards, including the University of Florida Law Center, Bay Area Legal Services, the American Heart Association, the March of Dimes, and various community leadership organizations. He has also contributed significant pro bono service and participated in Leadership Tampa and Leadership Tampa Bay. Mr. Bales earned both his Juris Doctor, with honors, and his Bachelor of Science in Accounting, with honors, from the University of Florida. He is admitted to practice before The Florida Bar, the United States Supreme Court, the U.S. Courts of Appeals for the Eleventh and Federal Circuits, and the U.S. District Courts for the Northern, Middle, and Southern Districts of Florida.

• Languages
  English
• Education
  University of Florida