Robert E. Johnson Attorney At Law

Trial-ready litigator guiding clients through complex disputes and appeals. Known for expertise in banking, health care, insurance, and real estate sectors.

Robert Johnson has been defending businesses and individuals in Florida courts for more than 30 years. He has been involved in over 70 jury and non-jury trials as sole, associate, or chief counsel over the span of his accomplished career. He has also handled appeals in all five of the District Courts of Appeal in Florida. An unflappable client advocate, he is known for his exceptional legal ability and adherence to professional standards of conduct, ethics, reliability, and diligence. He handles a wide variety of civil actions and claims for clients operating in the banking, health care, insurance, professional services, and real estate sectors.

Robert represents clients in complex disputes involving bankruptcy, construction, contracts, fraud, intellectual property, labor and employment, and probate, among others. He carefully guides clients through the litigation process, ensuring transparent communication and mutual collaboration along the way. Robert understands the need for efficient and practical counsel in managing litigation timelines and expenses. He leverages the firm’s networks, resources, and technology to develop customized strategies with an eye toward advantageous resolution, as well as discretion. On appeal, his extensive trial and procedural expertise provides the depth and detailed approach necessary to analyze each case, argue effectively, or defend against appeal, if necessary.

A sought after thought leader on matters involving rules of procedure and ethics, Robert served as a member of The Florida Bar Civil Rules Committee, as pro bono attorney for the Guardian Ad Litem Program in the 13th Judicial Circuit, and as acting chair and panel member of the 13th Judicial Circuit Ethics and Fee Arbitration Committee. He routinely collaborates with GrayRobinson colleagues across practice lines to deliver fulsome litigation support for clients.

• Notable Work
  • Successfully represented the Plaintiff in a lien perfection lawsuit for architectural services. Jury ruled in Plaintiff's favor. Defendant settled by paying the jury verdict and trial attorney's fees, leading to the dismissal of the appeal.
  • Successfully defended Defendant Edward DeBartolo, Jr. in a liability claim where the Plaintiff sought over $400,000 at trial. The jury returned a verdict of $30,000, substantially less than the pre-trial offer. Plaintiff's motions for new trial and verdict setting were denied by the judge, and no appeal ensued.
• Recognition
  • Best Lawyers in America, Commercial Litigation, 2023-2024
• Insights
  • Co-author, "Chapter 13 Bankruptcy, The Mortgagor's Right to 'Deaccelerate' Their Mortgage," published in the Consumer Finance Law Quarterly Report, Volume 39, No. 1
• Affiliations
  • American Bar Association, Litigation Section
  • The Florida Bar, Trial Lawyers Section
  • Hillsborough County Bar Association, Trial Lawyers Section
  • Culbreath Isles Homeowners Association, Director and Treasurer
  • Navy League
  • Tampa Chamber of Commerce
  • The Spring of Tampa Bay
  • The Oaks of Clearwater, Director and Secretary
• Credentials
  • J.D., Stetson University College of Law, 1981
    • Associate Editor, Stetson Law Review
  • B.A., Syracuse University, 1978
• Admissions
  • Florida
  • Circuit Court of Appeals for the 7th and 11th Circuits
  • U.S. District Court for the Southern, Middle, and Northern Districts of Florida
  • U.S. Supreme Court