Kari A. Metzger, ADR Attorney in Tampa, Florida
Over 34 years of legal practice · focused on ADR, Appellate, and General
PartneratRumberger, Kirk & Caldwell Professional Association
Tampa, FL
Practicing adr in Tampa since 1992.
- 34+
- Years practicing
- 2
- Bar admissions
Practices in
Are you Kari A. Metzger?
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Quick answer
Kari A. Metzger is a partner based in Tampa, FL. The practice focuses on ADR, Appellate, and General. Kari has over 34 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at Rumberger, Kirk & Caldwell Professional Association.
- Based in
- Tampa, FL
- Experience
- over 34 years
- Known for
- ADR · Appellate · General
- Handles ADR, Appellate, and General matters from Tampa, FL.
- Over 34 years of practice as a licensed attorney.
About Kari A. Metzger: Kari A. Metzger is a partner based in Tampa, FL. The practice focuses on ADR, Appellate, and General. Kari has over 34 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at Rumberger, Kirk & Caldwell Professional Association.
Areas of practice
Practice areas handled by Kari A. Metzger
Kari concentrates on adr, appellate, general, insurance, and litigation. Each area below outlines the kind of case Kari handles, typical outcomes to expect, and how the intake process starts.
ADR
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Appellate
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General
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Insurance
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Litigation
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ADR cases in Tampa, Florida
Kari takes adr matters in Tampa, Florida. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Kari agrees to represent you.
Appellate cases in Tampa, Florida
Kari takes appellate matters in Tampa, Florida. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Kari agrees to represent you.
General cases in Tampa, Florida
Kari takes general matters in Tampa, Florida. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Kari agrees to represent you.
Insurance cases in Tampa, Florida
Kari takes insurance matters in Tampa, Florida. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Kari agrees to represent you.
Litigation cases in Tampa, Florida
Kari takes litigation matters in Tampa, Florida. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Kari agrees to represent you.
Biography
About Kari A. Metzger — Over 34 years of Florida adr experience
Kari A. Metzger is a partner based in Tampa, FL. The practice focuses on ADR, Appellate, and General. Kari has over 34 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at Rumberger, Kirk & Caldwell Professional Association.
Kari is a certified mediator and arbitrator with more than 30 years of experience in civil litigation, dispute resolution, and law firm leadership. Her practice is devoted exclusively to helping parties resolve complex disputes efficiently, practically, and fairly through mediation and arbitration.
Throughout her career, Kari has handled a wide range of civil matters, with particular depth in insurance, commercial, and business disputes. Having spent decades litigating cases from inception through trial and appeal, she brings a thorough understanding of risk assessment, case valuation, and litigation strategy to the neutral’s role. This experience allows her to engage meaningfully with counsel and parties, identify the true drivers of conflict, and assist in navigating both legal and practical obstacles to resolution.
Kari is a Member of the National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals, reflecting her commitment to professionalism, impartiality, and excellence in alternative dispute resolution. As a neutral, she is known for being well-prepared, even-handed, and direct when appropriate, while always maintaining respect for the parties and the process. Her approach is primarily facilitative, informed by evaluative insight when helpful, with the goal of assisting parties in reaching durable, informed outcomes.
In addition to her work as a neutral, Kari previously served as managing partner of a litigation and ADR firm for more than 15 years. In that role, she led attorneys and staff, developed firm strategy, and worked closely with clients on complex and high-stakes matters. This leadership experience informs her ability to manage multi-party disputes, balance competing perspectives, and keep proceedings focused, professional, and productive.
Kari understands that successful dispute resolution requires more than knowledge of the law. It requires preparation, judgment, credibility, and the ability to earn the trust of both counsel and parties. She strives to create a process that is efficient, candid, and respectful, while remaining flexible enough to adapt to the needs of each case. Whether serving as mediator or arbitrator, her objective is to provide a fair, thoughtful forum in which disputes can be resolved with clarity and confidence.
Certifications
•Florida Certified Circuit Civil Court Mediator
•Florida Certified Appellate Court Mediator
•Certified United States District Court Middle District of Florida Mediator
Awards & Honors
•Listed in Best Lawyers in America, Personal Injury Litigation-Defendants, 2026
Articles & Presentations
•Author, 'Poorly Drafted ADR Clauses Turn Contract Provisions into New Disputes Rather than Solutions,' Tampa Bay Business Journal, April 2026
•Author, 'Viewpoint: How businesses are building proactive resolution into legal, risk strategy,' Jacksonville Business Journal, April 2026
•Author, 'Rethinking the Joint Session,' Attorney at Law Magazine, January 2026
•Author, 'Managing Your Client's Expectations At Mediation,' Daily Business Review, May 2025
•Presenter, 'Arbitration Strategy: Embrace Arbitration or Avoid It? Considerations for In-House Counsel,' ACC Tampa Bay, December 2024
•Author, 'Nonbinding Arbitration: Finding a Way to Resolution,' Daily Business Review, May 6, 2024
Kari's News and Insights
05.01.2026
Mediation & Arbitration
Poorly Drafted ADR Clauses Turn Contract Provisions into New Disputes Rather than Solutions
Alternative dispute resolution is no longer a backup plan; it...
04.27.2026
Mediation & Arbitration
Viewpoint: How Businesses are Building Proactive Resolution into Legal, Risk Strategy, in Jacksonville Business Journal
Escalating dispute activity across intellectual property, commercial, employment, and international...
01.08.2026
Mediation & Arbitration
Rethinking the Joint Session
If you’ve mediated a case in recent years, you’ve probably...
Photo: Shutterstock.com/hxdbzxy
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;”...
05.13.2025
Mediation & Arbitration
Managing Your Client’s Expectations at Mediation
Preparing your client for mediation in advance of the actual...
12.05.2024
Events
Arbitration Strategy: Embrace It or Avoid It, Considerations for In-House Counsel
Does your company have a comprehensive arbitration strategy as part...
05.09.2024
Mediation & Arbitration
Nonbinding Arbitration: Finding a Way to Resolution
It has become a trend in many circuit courts to...
03.11.2024
Firm News
Metzger Law Group Joins RumbergerKirk
Seasoned duo Kari and Joe Metzger and Associate Jenna Thompson...
How Kari handles adr matters
Kari is a certified mediator and arbitrator with more than 30 years of experience in civil litigation, dispute resolution, and law firm leadership. Her practice is devoted exclusively to helping parties resolve complex disputes efficiently, practically, and fairly through mediation and arbitration. Throughout her career, Kari has handled a wide range of civil matters, with particular depth in…
The kind of cases Kari takes
Kari reviews new inquiries case-by-case for adr, appellate, and general matters in Tampa and the surrounding Florida area.
Credentials
Kari A. Metzger's legal education and bar admissions
University of Miami School of Law
J.D. · 1992
University of Notre Dame
—
Jurisdictions
Kari's state bar admissions
Massachusetts U.S. D
1992 · ACTIVE
Florida
1992 · ACTIVE
Kari studied at J.D. in University of Miami School of Law and — in University of Notre Dame.
Law school and academic background
Kari completed J.D. in University of Miami School of Law and — in University of Notre Dame. Formal legal training is one signal of substantive knowledge — the day-to-day practice Kari runs in Florida is where that training gets applied to real client questions.
Affiliations
Kari's professional memberships and bar associations
Professional •National Association of Distinguished Neutrals (NADN) •Council on Litigation Management (CLM) •Hillsborough County Bar Association Former Section Chair, Mediation and Arbitration Section
membership
Locations
Kari A. Metzger's office in Tampa
Kari's primary office is at 100 North Tampa Street, Suite 2000, Tampa, FL, 33602. In-person meetings are by appointment; a phone intake usually comes first.
Rumberger, Kirk & Caldwell Professional Association
100 North Tampa Street, Suite 2000
Tampa, FL 33602
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Client reviews of Kari A. Metzger
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Schedule your consultationHiring guide
How to hire Kari A. Metzger — what to expect in your first consultation
Working with a new adr attorney should feel structured. Here's how the first two conversations with Kari usually go, from the moment you request a consult to the day representation begins.
Consultation formats and pricing
Kari charges for the initial consult. That fee is credited toward representation if you retain Kari's office.
What to bring to your first meeting
Bring any documents you already have — police reports, medical records, filed pleadings, correspondence from an insurer, a copy of the contract at issue. If you're not sure, err on the side of bringing everything; Kari will tell you what matters and what doesn't.
Questions to ask a adr attorney in Tampa, Florida
A short list to run through before you commit: How many adr matters have you handled in the last year? What's your fee structure? Who else in the office will work on this? What's your realistic estimate of timeline and range of outcomes? How do I reach you between meetings?
Fees & payment
Fees, payment methods, and consultation options for Kari
Kari discusses fees during intake so the arrangement fits the matter. Contingency, hourly, and flat-fee options are all common in adr practice — ask which fits.
Hourly rates, contingency fees, and flat-fee options
Every adr matter is priced differently. Simple document review might be a flat fee. Injury litigation is often contingency. Complex commercial disputes usually run hourly with a retainer. Kari confirms the model in the engagement letter before any work starts.
Payment methods and payment plans
Kari's office accepts standard payment methods. Ask about payment plans if the retainer is a stretch — many adr practices work with clients on structured schedules.
Frequently asked
Frequently asked questions about Kari A. Metzger
How much does it cost to hire Kari for a adr case?
Cost depends on the type of matter, the fee model (contingency, flat, hourly), and how contested the case becomes. Kari walks through the likely range during the consult so there are no surprises.
Does Kari offer a free consultation?
Kari charges for the initial consult; that fee is credited toward representation if you retain Kari's office. Some adr attorneys offer free consults — check Kari's current terms during booking.
How long do adr cases in Florida typically take?
Simple adr matters can wrap in a few weeks; disputed cases can run 6–18 months from intake to resolution, longer if the matter goes to trial. Kari gives a realistic estimate for your facts at the consult — vague answers here are a red flag.
Can Kari take my case if I'm outside Tampa?
Kari is licensed in Florida. Matters governed by Florida law are the natural fit. Out-of-state matters are handled case-by-case, sometimes with local co-counsel. Ask during intake — Kari will tell you if the case is a fit or refer you to someone closer to your court.
What should I bring to my first meeting with Kari?
Bring every document that touches the dispute: contracts, correspondence, police or medical reports, filed pleadings, invoices, photographs, insurance letters. Also bring a written timeline of what happened, in your own words. Kari will filter what matters — over-preparing at intake is always cheaper than needing a second meeting.
Is Kari accepting new adr clients right now?
Kari's intake status shifts week to week. Submit the form; the office will confirm availability or refer the matter out.
Areas served
ADR attorneys serving Tampa, Miami and Orlando in Florida
Kari handles adr matters throughout Florida. Each city below is a direct link into the search page for verified adr attorneys in that community.
- Tampa9,739 attorneys
- Miami15,918 attorneys
- Orlando7,352 attorneys
- Fort Lauderdale6,726 attorneys
- Jacksonville5,497 attorneys
- Tallahassee4,383 attorneys
- West Palm Beach3,699 attorneys
- Boca Raton3,668 attorneys
- Coral Gables3,397 attorneys
- Naples2,155 attorneys
- St Petersburg2,098 attorneys
- Sarasota1,994 attorneys
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