Bud Kirk

One of the firm’s founders, Bud Kirk concentrates his practice in the areas of product liability, commercial litigation and professional liability.

A significant portion of Bud’s practice is devoted to the representation of clients in commercial litigation matters. He represents clients in commercial cases including those involving claims of contract breach, fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, negligence, and professional malfeasance. Among his clients are local and nationally known companies in the fields of law, accounting, real estate development and communications.

A seasoned trial lawyer with a national reputation, Bud’s product liability practice centered on high profile cases in which plaintiffs seek recovery of millions of dollars. He represented domestic and foreign manufacturers of passenger cars and trucks throughout the United States, as well as manufacturers in the aviation and heavy equipment industry. Bud represented clients in hostile territory in Florida and throughout the United States including Louisiana, Wisconsin, Maine, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, and West Virginia.

Bud’s decades of defending professionals in the legal and accounting fields against malpractice claims earned him the moniker of the “Lawyer’s Lawyer.”

In 1996, Bud’s prowess in the courtroom was recognized by The National Law Journal in its annual edition of “Winning” which highlights ten top litigators in the country. Bud was asked to share his strategies for achieving success in the courtroom which he did in the article featuring him, “In Hostile Territory, Show You Trust the Jury.” In 1999, he was recognized by The National Law Journal again as being one of the “Top Litigators.” He has since been recognized for his advocacy skills in numerous articles and publications, including designation by Florida Trend magazine as one of the “Top Defense Counsel.” In 2010, Bud was named “Trial Lawyer of the Year” by the Central Florida Chapter of American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA), and as a “Lawyer of the Year” in the area of personal injury litigation-defendants for Orlando by Best Lawyers in America in 2013 and 2018.

Recognized for his successful trial career, Bud was inducted as a fellow into the American College of Trial Lawyers, a prestigious by-invitation-only organization composed of the best of the trial bar from the United States and Canada.

In February of 1991, Bud was appointed by former President George H. W. Bush to the Board of Directors of the Legal Service Corporation which administers nearly a half billion dollars to programs throughout the United States rendering legal services to the poor. He served in that position for three years. He has served on the Board of Directors of the Florida Defense Lawyers Association and is a former member of the International Association of Defense Counsel.

Within the firm, Bud formerly served on the Executive Committee and as Managing Partner for thirteen years. In addition to his professional activities, Bud is active in the community in the After School Outreach program for Howard Middle School children. For many years, he served as a member of the Board of Directors for WMFE, the local public radio and television stations. He is also a member of Florida A&M University (FAMU) College of Law’s Dean’s Advisory Council.

Following graduation from law school, Bud served as an assistant professor teaching courses in real property, legislation and water law.

Community

•WMFE Board of Directors

Former member, Board of Directors

•Florida A&M University (FAMU) College of Law’s Dean’s Advisory Council
•University Club
•Board of Directors, 2007-Present

Certifications

•AV Rated by Martindale-Hubbell

Awards & Honors

•Best Lawyers 'Lawyer of the Year' for Personal Injury- Defendants in Orlando, 2013, 2018, 2025
•Listed in Best Lawyers in America. Personal Injury Litigation-Defendants; Insurance Law; Litigation - Insurance. 2010-2026
•Listed in Florida Super Lawyers, Business Litigation, 2006-2018, 2020
•Listed in Florida Trend Legal Elite 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2012, 2013
•Listed in Who's Who Legal of Product Liability Defense Lawyers 2009, 2010
•2010 Trial Lawyer of the Year by the Central Florida Chapter of American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA)
•Recognized in Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for General Commercial Litigation

Articles & Presentations

•Speaker, Orange County Bar Association Member Perks, November 2020
•Florida Trend article “Florida Trend’s Florida Legal Elite” - Spotlighted - July 2004 and July 2005
•Florida Trend article regarding the top defense litigators - Spotlighted - February 2004
•In Hostile Territory, Show You Trust Jury,” in The National Law Journal’s annual edition of “Winning,” which presents the top ten litigators in the nation and their strategies for success in the courtroom - Featured in article - May 1996
•Justice Holmes and the Trial Lawyer: Malicious Prosecution, Bad Faith and . . . Excellence,” - Co-author - 1981
•Public Finance: New Test for Public Purpose,” - Author - 1967

Bud's News and Insights

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;”...

08.15.2024
Firm News

Best Lawyers in America 2025 Edition Recognizes 24 RumbergerKirk Attorneys

Two Named “Lawyer of the Year” and Two Named “Ones...

08.17.2023
Firm News

Best Lawyers in America Recognizes 24 RumbergerKirk Attorneys with Managing Partner Frank Sheppard Named Lawyer of the Year

ORLANDO, FL - August 17, 2023 - Best Lawyers has...

03.01.2023
Beyond the Bio

Celebrating Women’s History Month: Honoring a Legend of Our Own

A Closer Look at RumbergerKirk’s First Female Attorney - Lori...

08.19.2022
Firm News

23 RumbergerKirk Attorneys Named to Best Lawyers in America 2023

Orlando, Fla., August 18, 2022 - RumbergerKirk is pleased to...

08.19.2021
Firm News

Eighteen RumbergerKirk Attorneys Named to Best Lawyers in America 2022

ORLANDO - August 19, 2021 - RumbergerKirk is pleased to...

06.24.2021
Firm News

Florida Super Lawyers Names RumbergerKirk Attorneys to 2021 List

Three Attorneys Named “Rising Stars” RumbergerKirk is pleased to announce...

11.04.2020
Events

Bud Kirk Speaks at Orange County Bar Association Member Perks Virtual Event

One of the firm’s founders and Board Certified Civil Trial...

08.20.2020
Firm News

18 RumbergerKirk Attorneys Named to Best Lawyers in America 2021

ORLANDO, FL - August 20, 2020 - Eighteen RumbergerKirk attorneys...

06.04.2020
Firm News

Florida Super Lawyers Names RumbergerKirk Attorneys to 2020 List

FLORIDA - June 4, 2020 - RumbergerKirk is pleased to...