Justin W. Pimenta

Justin began his practice as a defense lawyer for one of the largest and most prestigious insurance defense law firms in the State of Florida. His experience representing large corporations and insurance companies has given him unique insights into how the other side may be evaluating a case. He has now been exclusively representing injured clients for the past twenty years.

One of Justin’s proudest career accomplishments was achieving board certification in civil trial law by the Florida Bar on his first attempt. Only 1-2% of attorneys in Florida are board-certified. Certification involves a rigorous peer-review process where the attorneys you practice against, and the judges you practice in front of, are called upon to evaluate your skill and knowledge in the courtroom. Candidates are also asked to support their application by listing their experience and trial outcomes and then must pass an exhaustive written examination.

After achieving board certification, Justin was selected by the Florida Bar President to serve on the Civil Trial Law Board Certification Committee from 2019-2022 and was re-selected for a second term from 2022-2025. The committee is comprised of 12 board-certified trial lawyers who are responsible for writing and grading the tests that trial lawyers must take before becoming board certified. The committee also conducts the peer review and judicial review of all candidates for certification.

Education

• Graduated with a dual Juris Doctorate (JD) and Masters of Business Administration (MBA) from the Kogod School of Business from American University in Washington, D.C.
• Law school in Washington, D.C. and graduated with honors from American University Washington College of Law in 2001. Was the first student in school history to graduate from American University with both a JD and MBA in just a three-year period.
• Bachelor of Arts from American University, cum laude in 1999.

Board Certifications

• Florida Bar Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyer since 2014
• National Board of Trial Advocacy – Civil Trial since 2014

Memberships/Committees

• Appointed by Florida Bar President to the Florida Bar Civil Trial Law Board Certification Committee for 2019-2022 and 2022-2025. Committee members are responsible for writing and grading the tests that trial lawyers must take before becoming board certified in civil trial. The Committee also conducts peer review and judicial review of all candidates for Board Certification in Civil Trial.
• Hillsborough County Bar Association and The Florida Bar in 2002
• Admitted to practice in the Northern, Southern, and Middle District of Florida Federal courts
• Member, Southeastern Admiralty Law Institute (SEALI) – 2015-Present
• Florida Justice Association
• Tampa Bay Trial Lawyers Association

Recognitions

• Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America for work in Personal Injury Litigation from 2021 – 2025.
• In 2021-2024 was selected for inclusion in the Florida Super Lawyers listing for Plaintiff’s Personal Injury. Super Lawyers is a rating service of outstanding lawyers who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. The selection process includes independent research, peer nominations, and peer evaluations.
• In 2010, 2016, and 2017 was selected for inclusion in the Florida Super Lawyers: Rising Stars listing for Plaintiff’s Personal Injury.
• In 2015-2024, attained an AV Preeminent® rating by Martindale-Hubbell, a national law firm rating system. The “AV” rating is the highest possible rating from Martindale-Hubbell. The “A” signifies legal ability to be “very high to preeminent.” The “V” represents “very high” ethical standards.
• In 2017-2024, was selected for inclusion in the National Trial Lawyers “Top 100” trial attorney’s group for the State of Florida.
• In 2018 was admitted to lifetime membership in the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and in 2019 was admitted to lifetime membership in the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, one of the most prestigious groups of trial lawyers in the United States. Membership is limited to attorneys who have won multi-million-dollar verdicts and settlements.  Fewer than 1% of U.S. lawyers are members.
• Avvo nationwide attorney rating service score of “Superb” – 10.0 out of 10.0.
• In 2017-2024 was selected by the National Academy of Personal Injury Attorneys for inclusion in the “Top 10” trial attorney’s group for the State of Florida.
• In 2013- 2016 was selected for inclusion in the National Trial Lawyers “Top 40 Under 40” trial attorney’s group for the State of Florida.
• In 2015 and 2016 was selected by the National Academy of Personal Injury Attorneys for inclusion in the “Top 10 Under 40” trial attorney’s group for the State of Florida.
• In 2015-2021 was selected for inclusion in Legal Leaders – Tampa’s Top Rated Lawyers as published in the Tampa Tribune.
• In 2017 was selected for inclusion in Top Attorneys/Outstanding Young Lawyers in the Tampa Bay Area as published in Tampa Bay Magazine.
• In 2022 was selected by Tampa Style Magazine as one of Tampa’s Top Attorneys.  Justin W. Pimenta – Tampa Style Magazine

Advanced Trial Advocacy

• Completed the “National Session”, an advanced trial advocacy course presented by the National Institute of Trial Advocacy (NITA) in Boulder, Colorado July 25-August 2, 2012.
• Twice completed the Florida Bar Trial Lawyer’s Section “Advanced Trial Advocacy” course at the University of Florida May 10-14, 2011 and May 14-18, 2024.

Background

• Born in Milford, Connecticut on January 25, 1977.
• Justin has lived and studied in six countries, including Saitama, Japan; Madrid, Spain; Buenos Aires, Argentina; and Haifa, Israel. He is an avid traveler and has travelled to over 160 countries and territories around the world.
• Member of the Traveler’s Century Club, one of the most unusual clubs in the world, which is open to people who have visited one hundred countries.  Travelers’ Century Club – World Travel: The passport to peace through understanding (travelerscenturyclub.org)
• Member of the All 50 States Club for people who have visited all 50 U.S. States.  Home – All Fifty Club
• On December 28, 2023, Justin successfully summitted Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.  Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa at 19,341 feet and is one of the “Seven Summits” (the highest mountains on the seven continents).