TAMPA, Fla. – October 23, 2014 – Michael L. Forte, a partner with RumbergerKirk in Tampa, has been named to the Tampa Bay Business Journal’s 2014 “Up and Comers,” an annual program recognizing outstanding young professionals in all facets of business throughout the Tampa Bay area.

Forte is a litigator who practices in the areas of casualty, transportation and products liability. He also has significant experience litigating construction defect and casualty cases.  His retail and hospitality clients include national retailers and property management companies. In his construction law practice, Forte represents contractors and subcontractors sued for commercial and residential construction products. He has defended against claims of alleged construction defects, as well as related mold claims allegedly resulting from water intrusion. His product liability work includes the defense of automobile and aviation manufacturers, as well as the defense of automobile and boat manufacturers in breach of warranty matters.

Forte also defends law enforcement officers in both federal and state courts in cases involving 42 U.S.C. Section 1983 allegations and state law claims and litigates appeals hearings resulting from internal affairs investigations.

Among his many honors, Forte received Florida Defense Lawyers Association’s TAQ Award for outstanding service on the editorial board of the Trial Advocate Quarterly. He has also been named a Florida Super Lawyers Rising Star since 2009.

Active in the community, Forte is a member of the Tampa Bay Area Chiefs of Police Association, Florida Defense Lawyers Association, Risk Insurance Management Society, Florida Bar Journal Editorial Board, and the Hillsborough County Bar Association. He is also an All Children’s Hospital Voice4AllKids Advocate.

Forte earned a juris doctor, cum laude, from Stetson University College of Law.

RumbergerKirk provides litigation and counseling services in a wide range of civil practice areas including product liability, commercial litigation, construction, real estate, intellectual property litigation, securities litigation, labor and employment law, bankruptcy, insurance coverage, professional liability and administrative law. Offices are located in Orlando, Tampa, Miami, Tallahassee and Birmingham, Alabama. For more information, please visit www.rumberger.com.