John Calhoun Bales

I work  priarily in the areas of personal injury, auto accidents, insurance disputes, traumatic brain injuries, child injuries, employment, social security benefits, mass torts, construction, commercial, and professional liability matters.  

I have received numerous honors for my legal achievements, including an “AV” rating, the highest honor awarded by the Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory, which is based on the opinion of his professional peers.  I was also certified by The Florida Bar as a specialist in Business Litigation Law.  Certification is the highest level of recognition given by The Florida Bar for competency and experience within an area of law.  I have been selected as a Florida “Super Lawyers,” honored in Florida Trend as one of Florida’s legal elite, and recognized by Tampa Bay Magazine as one of TampaBay’s Top Lawyers.  I am a member of the Million Dollar Advocated Forum and the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum.

In addition, I have lectured on various topics, including insurance coverage, personal injury, construction, litigation procedure, ethics, and professional liability for organizations, continuing education companies, and national corporations.  My courses have served as the training for understanding construction contracts and insurance policies.

I strive to enhance his profession and himself through participation in professional organizations. I am a member of the Hillsborough County Bar Association and has served as President, President Elect, Immediate Past President, and Treasurer, and in leadership roles as a member of the Board of Directors, Editor of the monthly Lawyer Magazine, Chair of the Justice Television Committee, Chair of the Bill of Rights Bicentennial Committee, Chair of the Speakers Committee, and a member of other committees.  John is a member of The Florida Bar and served on the Standing Committee on Advertising as Vice Chair. He was a member of The Florida Bar Grievance Committee for the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit (13A) and ultimately became Chair of that committee.  He acted as Chair of an arbitration panel on legal fee disputes for the Thirteenth Circuit Fee Arbitration Committee and is active with the Trial Lawyers Section.  Additionally, he is a member of the St. Petersburg Bar Association, the Clearwater Bar Association, the American Bar Association (Trial Lawyers Section., and the Federal Bar Association.  He is also a member of the Florida Justice Association (served on its Board of Directors) and the American Association for Justice.  He has been a member of the Public Investors Arbitration Bar Association and the National Crime Victims Bar Association.

I am an active participant in the American Inns of Court, which has a mission of fostering excellence in professionalism, ethics, civility, and legal skills for judges, lawyers, academicians, and students of law in order to perfect the quality, availability, and efficiency of justice in the United States.  He was elected to a national position as a Trustee of the American Inns of Court Foundation's Board of Trustees, and served as Treasurer and Executive Committee member.  I am a Barrister with the Justice William Glenn Terrell Inn of Court. He is proud to have participated in organizing the Tampa Bay Inn of Court.  He has served as its Secretary, Treasurer, Executive Director, and is a founding Master.

I am committed to serving his community.  I currently serves on the Board of Trustees at the University of Florida Law Center and on the Board of Directors of the University of Florida Gator Boosters.  Go Gators!  I have alsoprovided pro bono legal services through Bay Area Legal Services.  He was a committee member of the Bay Area Legal Services Annual Fundraiser Cup of Hope.  I am a member of the Hillsborough County Charter Review Committee, which reviewed and made recommendations about the CountyCharter.  He is involved in the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office Enrichment Grant Program.  He served on the City of Tampa Variance Review Board as Chair and on the Tampa-Hillsborough Cable Advisory Committee.  John was a participant in the Board of Directors of the Florida Bay Chapter of the March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation and was Chair of the Executive Committee, the Board of Directors, the Recruiting Committee, the Long Range Planning Committee, and the Campaign Committee.  He was a member of the Fund Raising Committee of the Gulf Ridge Counsel of the Boy Scouts of America. He was a member of the Board of Directors for the American Heart Association, Florida Affiliate, Inc. and was Chair of the inaugural Tampa HeartWalk, which was one of the most successful first year HeartWalk in the history of the American Heart Association.  John also participated in the Leadership Tampa and Leadership Tampa Bay Programs.  He has been a member of the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Tampa Alumni Association, Leadership Tampa Bay Alumni Association, United Way, Keel Club, and several social organizations.

I am a member of The Florida Bar and is admitted to (1) U. S. Supreme Court; (2) U. S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit (3) U. S. Court of Appeals, Federal Circuit; (4) U.S. District Court, Northern District Court of Florida; (5) U. S. District Court, Middle District of Florida; and (6) U.S. District Court, Southern District.  He received his Bachelor of Science in Accounting, with honors, from the University of Florida and his Juris Doctor, with honors, from the University of Florida, where he was elected to Phi Eta Sigma and Phi Kappa Phi Honor Societies. John also was Vice Chair of the Justice Campbell Thornton National Moot Court Board and honored as an outstanding member. 

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