Matthew John Jowanna

Matthew J. Jowanna obtained his Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree, majoring in Broadcasting and Mass Communications, from the University of South Florida. While at the University of South Florida, Mr. Jowanna was a member of the Golden Key National Honor Society and the Outstanding College Students of America.

Before attending law school, Mr. Jowanna worked for several Tampa Bay area radio and television stations as an announcer, news anchor, news assignment editor, producer, reporter and writer.

Mr. Jowanna obtained his Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from Nova Southeastern University, graduating Summa Cum Laude (with Highest Honors) and achieving the distinction of graduating in the top two percent (2%) of his law school class. While in law school, Mr. Jowanna was the recipient of academic scholarships; was a Senior Staff Member, and published author, of the Nova Law Review; was awarded the Attorneys’ Title Insurance Fund, Inc. Prize (for scholarly writing on an issue of real property law); was an associate member of the Moot Court Society; was a student member of ATLA (Association of Trial Lawyers of America); was a member of the Phi Delta Phi Honor Fraternity; was named to the law school’s Dean’s List every semester; received the Dean’s Award for Academic Excellence; received the Highest Grade Awards (Book Awards) for Florida Constitutional Law and Torts; received the West Publishing Corporation Award for Outstanding Scholastic Achievement; and was listed in Who’s Who Among American Law Students, 13th and 14th Editions, and The National Dean’s List, 17th Edition. Also during law school, Mr. Jowanna served as a Federal Judicial Intern for a Federal District Court Judge; was a Law Clerk for a County Court Judge; and was a Certified Legal Intern with the Office of the State Attorney for the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit in Fort Lauderdale, Broward County, Florida where he prosecuted cases before both bench and jury.

Mr. Jowanna obtained his Legum Magister (LL.M.) degree from the University of Notre Dame, graduating Magna Cum Laude (with High Honors). While pursuing his Master of Laws degree at Notre Dame Law School, Mr. Jowanna served as the LL.M. Representative on the Executive Board of the NDLS Student Bar Association.

Practicing law in the Tampa Bay area since 1994, Mr. Jowanna’s legal practice has included Appellate Law; Civil Rights; Class Actions; Construction Litigation; Contract Litigation; Insurance Coverage; Insurance Defense; International Law; Medical Malpractice; Personal Injury; Products Liability; Professional Errors and Omissions; and Wrongful Death. Along with his litigation and trial work, Mr. Jowanna has also argued numerous civil appeals.

Prior to opening The Law Offices of Matthew J. Jowanna, P.A., Mr. Jowanna was a partner with one of the largest law firms in the state of Florida, and was next then a partner with a mid-sized, multi-office Florida law firm. In addition to his litigation practice, Mr. Jowanna is also a certified mediator for County and Circuit State Courts of Florida, as well as being a certified federal mediator for the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida.

Mr. Jowanna is a member of The Florida Bar and the Hillsborough County Bar Association, and is also admitted in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida; the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida; the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida; the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit; and the Supreme Court of the United States. Being “AV” rated by Martindale-Hubbell, Mr. Jowanna has also obtained the peer review rating of “preeminent” for his legal ability. Only the top seventeen percent (17%) of all lawyers across the nation receive this pinnacle rating.

Matthew J. Jowanna is the only attorney in Wesley Chapel, Zephyrhills and Dade City Rated by Avvo.com as “Superb” (with a 10 out of 10 Rating) for the legal practice categories of Personal Injury, Bankruptcy and Estate Planning. Mr. Jowanna and The Law Offices of Matthew J. Jowanna, P.A. are the only lawyer and law firm principally located in New Tampa and Wesley Chapel listed in Tampa’s Top Rated Lawyers. Mr. Jowanna is also a platinum member of The Verdict Club; a member of The Top Trial Lawyers in America; and a member of both the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum. Platinum membership in The Verdict Club and membership in the Million Dollar Advocates Forum is limited to trial lawyers who have obtained million dollar verdicts and settlements for their clients. Membership in the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum is limited to trial lawyers who have obtained multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements for their clients.

The Law Offices of Matthew J. Jowanna, P.A. is listed in A.M. Best’s Directories of Insurance Professionals and Recommended Insurance Attorneys. Shortly after establishing The Law Offices of Matthew J. Jowanna, P.A., the Firm was listed in the Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers, as published by Martindale-Hubbell. Fewer than five percent (5%) of all law firms in the United States of America qualify and are included in the Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers. Mr. Jowanna is extremely proud of this accomplishment and honored recognition.

Some of Mr. Jowanna’s Publications and Lectures include the following:

• Shirking the Duty to Defend in Florida: Is Assignment the Exception to Argonaut?, 30 No. 4 Trial Advoc. Q. 36 (2011);
• Torture, American Style: A Recipe for Civil Tort Immunity, 42 McGeorge L. Rev. 243 (2011);
• 42 U.S.C. § 1983: A Legal Vehicle with No International Human Rights Treaty Passengers, 9 U.N.H. L. Rev. 31 (2010);
• Trial Exhibits, Subject Address at the Florida Defense Lawyers Association Symposium: Trial from the Defense Perspective – A Primer for the Defense, Tampa, Fla. (Apr. 9, 1999);
• Florida Practice Handbook: Products Liability 1994 Supp. (Supp. 1994); and
• Restrictions Against the Use of Hurricane Shutters: Are They Enforceable After Hurricane Andrew?,17 Nova L. Rev. 1191 (1993).

You may send Mr. Jowanna an email at [email protected].