With 38 years of Florida legal experience, Michael J. Babboni has spent nearly four decades representing people injured in car accidents, motorcycle crashes, and other serious motor vehicle cases, including catastrophic injuries and fatal accidents, as well as families pursuing wrongful-death claims.

Admitted to The Florida Bar in 1987, Michael has built his career as a trial lawyer in St. Petersburg, with motor vehicle accident cases making up a substantial part of his personal injury practice.

His experience includes major motor vehicle and wrongful-death cases, jury trials throughout West and Central Florida, and appellate litigation before Florida’s Second District Court of Appeal and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit.

Michael’s reported case history includes a 2023 motor vehicle accident settlement exceeding $15 million and a $1.74 million Pinellas County jury verdict in a disputed-liability wrongful-death case involving a motorcycle and automobile.

For nearly four decades, Michael’s legal career and civic involvement have been closely connected to St. Petersburg and Pinellas County. Today, he is a senior partner at Goldman Babboni Fernandez Murphy & Walsh — Justice Pays® and is closely associated with his longstanding professional identity, The St. Pete Lawyer.

38 Years Representing Car Accident and Serious Injury Clients

Michael began practicing law in St. Petersburg after being admitted to The Florida Bar on October 6, 1987.

Over the next 38 years, he developed an extensive litigation practice, with car accidents and other motor vehicle cases forming a major part of his personal injury work.

Michael has served as lead counsel in jury trials across West and Central Florida, including cases in courts from Pasco County through Sarasota County and from the Sanford area south through Central Florida.

Major Motor Vehicle and Wrongful-Death Results

Michael’s case history includes substantial recoveries in serious and catastrophic motor vehicle cases, including fatal accidents and wrongful-death claims.

In 2023, Michael obtained a settlement exceeding $15 million in a motor vehicle accident case.

In 2010, he obtained a $1.74 million jury verdict in Pinellas County in a wrongful-death case involving a motorcycle and automobile. Liability was heavily disputed, and Michael used an animated recreation of the collision to help present the evidence to the jury.

Past results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome. Every case depends on its own facts, applicable law, injuries, evidence, available insurance or assets, and procedural history.

Trial and Appellate Experience in Florida and Federal Courts

Michael’s litigation experience includes jury trials as well as appellate advocacy before Florida’s Second District Court of Appeal and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit.

In Elam v. Railroad Retirement Board, 921 F.2d 1210 (11th Cir. 1991), Michael represented the petitioner on appeal. The Eleventh Circuit reversed the denial of disability benefits and directed the Railroad Retirement Board to enter a finding of total disability.

His published appellate history also includes representation of wrongful-death plaintiffs before Florida’s Second District Court of Appeal.

His appellate experience complements a career that has also included decades of jury-trial work.

Nearly Four Decades as “The St. Pete Lawyer”

Michael’s longstanding association with St. Petersburg provides the foundation for his professional identity as “The St. Pete Lawyer.”

He has practiced in St. Petersburg since 1987, represented clients in Pinellas County courts, tried cases throughout the region, and spent decades representing people injured in car accidents and other serious incidents.

His connection to the city extends well beyond an office address. Michael has spent most of his professional life practicing law, trying cases, representing injured people, and participating in local civic life.

Direct Personal Involvement With Clients

Throughout his career, Michael has placed a strong emphasis on communication, preparation, and personal involvement with clients.

Clients have described working directly with Michael and his legal team, receiving regular communication, and having questions answered as their cases progressed. Some families have returned to Michael for representation in multiple matters and have referred family members and friends after their own experience with him.

NFLPA Contract Advisor and Player Representation

Michael’s professional experience also includes representing professional football players as an NFLPA Contract Advisor and Player Representative.

His work representing NFL players dates to 2006, adding another dimension to Michael’s experience with negotiation, contracts, and professional representation.

St. Petersburg Civic Leadership

Michael’s connection to St. Petersburg extends beyond his law practice.

He was selected by the St. Petersburg City Council as a charter member of the city’s Nuisance Abatement Board and has also participated in civic efforts involving Major League Baseball and stadium planning in St. Petersburg.

Those roles add to a longstanding professional and civic history closely connected to the city.

Education and Professional Background

Michael earned his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Wisconsin in 1984 and his Juris Doctor from Stetson University College of Law in 1987.

He was admitted to The Florida Bar later that year. In 1997, Michael became certified as a Florida Circuit Court Mediator, adding formal mediation training to his litigation background.

38 Years of St. Petersburg Legal Experience

For 38 years, Michael Babboni has built a Florida legal career closely associated with St. Petersburg, motor vehicle accident litigation, serious injury cases, jury trials, and appellate advocacy.

Today, Michael continues to represent injured clients as a senior partner at Goldman Babboni Fernandez Murphy & Walsh — Justice Pays®, supported by a firm whose partners bring more than 150 years of combined legal experience and whose attorneys have recovered more than $500 million for injured clients.

You Deserve More. More Care. More Support. More Confidence in Your Recovery. That’s the Justice Pays® promise.