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Rumberger, Kirk & Caldwell Professional AssociationPartner
Joseph T. Metzger
Pro

Joseph T. Metzger

4.9
1 review

100 North Tampa Street, Suite 2000, Tampa, FL 33602

Casualty Litigation, Trucking, Professional Liability and 5 more

About Joseph T. Metzger

Joe Metzger is a Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyer concentrating his practice in the areas of casualty, trucking and professional liability litigation. Joe has tried numerous jury trials to verdict. He is well respected by clients for his high percentage of defense verdicts. Also highly respected by his peers, Joe is an AV preeminent Peer Rated Attorney by Martindale-Hubbell. His primary focus has been in civil defense, including automobile and trucking liability, professional liability, product liability, premises liability and general casualty defense litigation. He also practices in the areas of medical liability and nursing home litigation.

Certifications

•Certified County and Circuit Court Mediator by Florida Supreme Court
•Board Certified Civil Trial Attorney by The Florida Bar
•AV-Preeminent Rating by Martindale-Hubbell

Awards & Honors

•Invited into American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA)
•Listed in Best Lawyers in America, Personal Injury Litigation-Defendants; Product Liability Litigation-Defendants, 2026

Joseph's News and Insights

01.27.2026
Firm News

Joe Metzger Elected to the American Board of Trial Advocates

RumbergerKirk partner Joe Metzger was elected into the American Board...

08.21.2025
Firm News

27 RumbergerKirk Attorneys Named to the 2026 edition of The Best Lawyers in America

Dan Gerber and Leonard Dietzen Named “Lawyer of the Year;”...

02.21.2025
Firm News

RumbergerKirk Secures Defense Verdict in Florida Trucking Accident Case

RumbergerKirk attorneys obtained a defense verdict in a trucking accident...

05.16.2024
Firm News

RumbergerKirk New Addition Joe Metzger Secures Major Defense Verdict

Nicole Jacobs v. Raving Fans Restaurant Group d/b/a Moe’s Southwest...

03.11.2024
Firm News

Metzger Law Group Joins RumbergerKirk

Seasoned duo Kari and Joe Metzger and Associate Jenna Thompson...

 

Joseph T. Metzger (Tampa, Florida) View website

Awards

AV Preeminent Peer Rated
This elite award is granted to attorneys who have been recognized by their peers for their very high ethical standards, with an average peer review score of 4.5 or higher.
Martindale-Hubbell Peer AV

Client Champion Awards

Client Champion awards recognize those attorneys who excel at service as affirmed by their clients. The awards, based on the quantity and quality of an attorney’s Martindale-Hubbell client reviews, demonstrate an ongoing commitment to delivering excellent client service. Award recipients stand out from their peers with a platinum, gold or silver icon.

Champion Badge Silver

At least three reviews and a score of 4.0 or higher.

Champion Badge Gold

At least six reviews and a score of 4.2 or higher.

Champion Badge Platinum

At least ten reviews and a score of 4.5 or higher.

Martindale Peer Awards

A lawyer who receives a minimum threshold of qualifying responses from fellow attorneys can qualify for one of three prestigious Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings:

Martindale-Hubbell Peer AV Preeminent Rating

AV Preeminent®: The highest peer rating standard. This rating signifies a large number of the lawyer’s peers rank him or her at the highest level of professional excellence for their legal knowledge, communication skills and ethical standards.

Joseph T. Metzger got this award in 2021

Martindale-Hubbell Peer Distinguished Rating

Distinguished: An excellent rating for a lawyer with some experience. This rating indicates the attorney is widely respected by their peers for high professional achievement and ethical standards.

Martindale-Hubbell Peer Notable Rating

Notable: This rating indicates that the lawyer has been recognized by a large number of their peers for strong ethical standards.

Avvo Awards

Avvo Top Contributor

Avvo Top Contributor: The Avvo Top Contributor Award is granted to attorneys who have earned significant contribution points in a given year on our sister site, Avvo.com. Contribution points are earned by answering questions in Q&A, publishing Legal Guides, and other useful contributions to the Avvo community.

Avvo Client Choice

Avvo Client’s Choice: The Avvo Client's Choice Award Badge is granted to attorneys with a significant number of 4+ star reviews in a given year.

Reviews for Joseph T.

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Overall Rating
4.9
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1
Lawyers.com
Not yet reviewed
4.9
Martindale
1
Avvo
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Services

Areas of Law

  • Professional Liability
  • Transportation
  • Insurance
  • Other 5
    • Casualty Litigation
    • Trucking
    • Product Liability
    • Mediation & Arbitration
    • Retail and Hospitality

Practice Details

  • Firm Information
    Position
    Partner
    Firm Name
    Rumberger, Kirk & Caldwell Professional Association
  • Representative Cases & Transactions
    Cases
    Notable Cases: Ary v. Gomez Orantes
    Bonus Transportation Inc. (February 2025): The plaintiff claimed neck
    back injuries from a rear-end collision that occurred on August 17, 2022. Plaintiff's counsel asked the jury to award just under $1 million in damages. The trial team led by partner Joe Metzger overcame Florida law's presumption of negligence against a rear-end driver
    convinced the Polk County jury there was no negligence on the part of the defendant driver.
  • Additional Links
    https://www.rumberger.com/people/jmetzger/

Experience

  • Bar Admission & Memberships
    Admissions
    1991, Florida
    U.S. District Courts of Florida (Middle, Southern)
    United States Supreme Court
    Memberships

    Professional

    •International Amusement & Leisure Defense Association (IALDA)
    •Council on Litigation Management (CLM)
    •Hillsborough County Bar Association
    •The Florida Bar, Trial Lawyers Section
    •American Bar Association
    •Florida Defense Lawyers Association

  • Education & Certifications
    Law School
    University of Miami School of Law
    Class of 1991
    J.D.
    cum laude; Member of the National Trial Team, University of Miami School of Law Honor Council and Order of the Barristers; Managing Editor, University of Miami Entertainment & Sports Law Review
    Other Education
    College of the Holy Cross
    Class of 1985
    B.A.
  • Personal Details & History
    Age
    Born in 1963
    Coral Gables, Florida, October 21, 1963

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Attorneys FAQs

  • Is this attorney admitted to practice in any U.S. Federal Courts?
    Joseph T. Metzger is admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court.
  • Is this attorney Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review rated?
    Yes, Joseph T. Metzger has a 4.9 Peer Rating from Martindale-Hubbell.
  • How many attorneys are in this law firm?
    Rumberger, Kirk & Caldwell Professional Association has 87 attorneys at this location.
  • What law school did this attorney attend?
    Joseph T. Metzger attended University of Miami School of Law.
  • What year was this attorney's law firm established?
    Rumberger, Kirk & Caldwell Professional Association was established in 1978.

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• AV Preeminent®: The highest peer rating standard. This rating signifies that a large number of the lawyer’s peers rank him or her at the highest level of professional excellence for their legal knowledge, communication skills and ethical standards.

• Distinguished: An excellent rating for a lawyer with some experience. This rating indicates the attorney is widely respected by their peers for high professional achievement and ethical standards.

• Notable: This rating indicates that the lawyer has been recognized by a large number of their peers for strong ethical standards.

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