At John Bales Attorneys, we are devoted to offering unparalleled service. Our Florida accident lawyers provide a variety of legal fields, whether you seek a lawyer for any injury accident or an insurance dispute. Read about John Bales and our other qualified attorneys and find out how to contact them to discuss your case.
John Calhoun Bales
jbales@JohnBales.com
1-800-225-5564
John Bales practices primarily in the areas of personal injury, insurance coverage, construction, commercial, and professional liability matters. He received the highest rating for a lawyer, "AV,” that is given by Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory, which is based on the opinion of his professional peers. He is 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. He has been honored in Florida Trend by his peers as one of Florida’s legal elite. He has also been selected as a Florida “Super Lawyer” and recognized by Tampa Bay Magazine as one of Tampa Bay’s Top Lawyers.
He has lectured on various topics, including insurance coverage, personal injury, construction, litigation procedure, ethics, and professional liability for professional organizations, as well as for continuing education companies and national corporations. His courses have served as the training for understanding construction contracts and insurance policies.
John strives to enhance his profession and himself through participation in professional organizations. He is 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, Business Law Section, and Construction Industry Forum), 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.
He is 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. He was 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.
John is committed to serving his community. He provides pro bono legal services through Bay Area Legal Services. He is a committee member of the Bay Area Legal Services Annual Fundraiser Cup of Hope. He was a member of the Hillsborough County Charter Review Committee, which reviewed and made recommendations about the County Charter. 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 HeartWalks 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.
John is 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. John can be contacted at jbales@JohnBales.com.
Catherine C. Bonhomme
cbonhomme@JohnBales.com
1-800-225-5564
Catherine ("Catie") Bonhomme practices primarily in the area of Social Security Disability.
She was born and raised in Tampa, and is proud to call the Bay area home. She graduated from The University of Florida in 2008 with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, and also minored in communication and leadership. Catie received her Juris Doctor degree from Stetson University College of Law in May of 2011 with a Certificate of Concentration in Advocacy, and is a member of the Florida Bar. While in law school, Catie focused her studies on advocating for her clients and gaining practical experience in disability law. Catie can be contacted at cbonhomme@JohnBales.com.
Juanita Borton
jborton@JohnBales.com
1-800-225-5564
Juanita Borton practices primarily in the area of personal injury and insurance coverage. She is a member of the firm’s Trial Team. She is a member of both The Florida Bar and the Tennessee Bar.
Juanita was born and raised in Wisconsin, but has called the Tampa Bay area home for the past 13 years. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire and her Juris Doctor degree from the University of Florida – Levin College of Law. Juanita can be contacted at jborton@JohnBales.com.
James S. Curtis
jcurtis@JohnBales.com
1-800-225-5564
Jim Curtis practices primarily in the area of personal injury, wrongful death, products liability, traumatic brain injury, and insurance coverage. He is the firm’s Lead Trial Attorney. Prior to becoming a Florida personal injury attorney, Jim represented insurance companies and their insureds in liability, property, and casualty claims in both New York and Florida. Jim joined John Bales Attorneys in 2010, and is now proud to represent individuals and their families who have been wronged by the negligence of others, and believes that his prior legal experience in defending insurance companies will be a great asset to both the firm and its clients.
He is a member of The Florida Bar and the Middle District of Florida. He is also a member of the New York Bar and the Western District of New York. Jim graduated from the University at Buffalo School of Law and has been a practicing attorney since 1999. He began his career in New York, which is where he spent most of his life before moving to Florida in 2005. Jim can be contacted at jcurtis@JohnBales.com.
David S. Dougherty
ddougherty@JohnBales.com
1-800-225-5564
David Dougherty practices in the areas of insurance claims and coverage, personal injury, traumatic brain injury, wrongful death, medical malpractice, nursing home abuse and neglect, and products liability. Prior to joining the firm, he represented insureds in property claims against insurance companies and Florida motorists and their treating physicians in Personal Injury Protection (PIP) claims against insurance companies.
He is a member of The Florida Bar. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminology from the University of South Florida and his Juris Doctorate from the University Of Dayton School Of Law. David participated in the Annual Chief Judge Conrad B. Duberstein National Bankruptcy Memorial Moot Court Competition to be held at St. John's University. He is also a proud supporter of the Jesuit High School Alumni Association. David can be contacted at ddougherty@JohnBales.com.
Edwin P. "Ted" Gale
egale@JohnBales.com
1-800-225-5564
Edwin P. ("Ted") Gale practices primarily in the area of personal injury law, and is a member of the firm's Trial Team.
Ted began the practice of law in New Hampshire in 1989, and has practiced in Florida since 2002. He is member of the Bar in the State of Florida and the Federal Middle District of Florida, as well as State and Federal Courts in New Hampshire. Ted is a graduate of Yale University, where he earned a degree in history. He earned his law degree (J.D., summa cum laude) from Vermont Law School in 1989. Before joining John Bales Attorneys, Ted represented insurance companies and their insureds in liability and casualty claims, including extensive experience representing physicians in the defense of medical malpractice claims. While he was in New Hampshire, Ted represented individuals and their families who had been wronged by the negligence of others. He believes that his varied experience gives him a perspective that is an asset to the firm and its clients. Ted can be contacted at egale@JohnBales.com.
Ralph M. Guito, III
rguito@JohnBales.com
1-800-225-5564
Ralph practices primarily in the areas of personal injury, medical malpractice, nursing home abuse and product liability. He has 22 years of experience in complex multi-state and federal litigation. Ralph is a member of The Florida Bar and Middle District of Florida, and is a certified mediator in Circuit and Federal Court.
Ralph is a member of the Products Liability Section of the American Association of Justice, and is active in the Tampa Bay Human Rights Council, which is an outreach organization that addresses civil rights and discrimination issues that impact the Tampa Bay community. Ralph received his Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from the University of South Florida, and his Juris Doctor from the Cumberland School of Law at Samford University. He is a fourth generation Tampa native. Ralph can be reached at rguito@JohnBales.com.
Dalia M. Huddleston
dhuddleston@JohnBales.com
1-800-225-5564
Dalia Huddleston practices primarily in the areas of personal injury, medical malpractice, and nursing home abuse and neglect. She is a member of The Florida Bar and Middle District of Florida. Dalia was born in New Jersey and raised in Miami.
Dalia received her Bachelor of Arts in English from Florida International University, Miami, Florida in May 1993 and was on the Dean’s List and English Honor Society. She received her Juris Doctor from Stetson University College of Law, St. Petersburg, Florida in May 1997. Prior to receiving her Juris Doctor, Dalia clerked for the Honorable Elizabeth A. Kovachevich, Middle District of Florida. During law school, Dalia was the managing editor of Stetson Law Review and a member of Phi Delta Phi. She was also listed in Who’s Who of American Law Students, on the Honor Roll, received Honors Designation in Research & Writing, and was a teaching assistant for the Research and Writing Program. Dalia can be contacted at dhuddleston@JohnBales.com.
Nathaniel M. Jaye
njaye@JohnBales.com
1-800-225-5564
Nathaniel Jaye practices primarily in the area of personal injury, and is a member of the firm's Pre-Trial team.
He was raised in Tampa Bay and is a member of The Florida Bar. Nathaniel received his Bachelor of Arts degree in History, with honors, from the University of California Santa Cruz, and his Juris Doctor degree from Nova Southeastern University - Shepard Broad Law Center. During law school, Nathaniel developed his advocacy skills as a member of the Nova Trial Association and served as the President of the Student Health Law Society, graduating with a Certificate of Concentration in Health Law. Nathaniel can be contacted at njaye@JohnBales.com.
D. James Miles
jmiles@JohnBales.com
1-800-225-5564
D. James Miles practices primarily in the areas of personal injury, wrongful death, products liability, traumatic brain injury, and insurance coverage and other personal legal services. He is the managing attorney of the Pre-Trial Team. He has over 35 years of personal injury and insurance coverage experience. He was in insurance claims management for 11 years and was responsible for millions of dollars in losses and claims. He spent 14 years in plaintiff injury litigation and 11 years in first party insurance litigation. He is a member of The Florida Bar.
Jim received his Bachelor of Science from the University of Tampa and Juris Doctor from Florida A&M University, College of Law. He was born in New Jersey. Jim can be contacted at jmiles@JohnBales.com.
Frank J. Mora
fmora@JohnBales.com
1-800-225-5564
Frank Mora practices primarily in the areas of personal injury, insurance claims and coverage. He is a member of the firm’s Trial Team.
Frank was born and raised in Miami, Florida but now calls the Tampa Bay area his home. Frank received his Bachelor of Science degree in Economics and Political Science from Florida State University and his Juris Doctor degree from Nova Southeastern University – Shepard Broad Law Center. During law school Frank served as an intern to then Chief Justice R. Fred Lewis of the Florida Supreme Court. Throughout law school, Frank focused his studies around becoming an effective advocate for his clients at both mediation and trial. Frank can be contacted at fmora@JohnBales.com.
Jennifer J. Patel
jpatel@JohnBales.com
1-800-225-5564
Jennifer Patel practices primarily in the area of personal injury, wrongful death, products liability, traumatic brain injury, and insurance coverage and other personal legal services. She is a member of The Florida Bar Association and the American Bar Association.
She was born in South Carolina and raised in Florida. Jennifer received her Bachelor of Science degree in Computer and Information Science from the University of Florida in 2003 and her Juris Doctor from Barry University (Dwayne O. Andreas School of Law) in 2008. Jennifer can be contacted at jpatel@JohnBales.com.