L. Robert Bourgeois

L. Robert Bourgeois practices in the areas of personal injury and property damage defense with emphasis on vehicular torts, aviation torts, products liability, toxic torts and construction litigation. His clients range from individuals and small manufacturers to Fortune 500 companies.

Representative Experience

•Banker Lopez Gassler P.A., Tampa, FL
Shareholder, November 2008 to Present
•Fowler White Boggs Banker P.A., Tampa, FL
Attorney, August 1988 to October 2008

Presentations and Publications

Mr. Bourgeois is a frequent lecturer and author on aviation and products liability issues and trial techniques.

•“The Warsaw Convention v. The Montreal Convention,” guest lecturer, Law for Hospitality Operations, The Florida State University; April 2015
•“Cross-Examination Techniques,” Speaker and Author, The Florida Bar CLE, Basic Trial Practice, Tampa, FL, March 2012
•“The Amazing Case - Defending the Multi-Million Dollar Lawsuit,” Speaker, 2008 Young Lawyers Seminar, Defense Research Institute, Lake Buena Vista, FL, June 2008
•“The Advent of Passenger Rights-Is Legislation in the Offing?”, Author and Speaker, Annual Seminar of the American Bar Association Aviation & Space Committee, Washington, D.C., October 2007
•“Pilot Error? Stories Behind Celebrity Plane Crashes,” Speaker, Middleton Academy of Aeronautics & Astronautics, Tampa, FL, October 2007
•“Prosecution and the Defense of a Products Liabilty Case,” Author and Speaker, Hillsborough County Bar Association, Tampa, FL, September 2007
•“How to Successfully Defend a Multimillion Dollar Case: A Look Behind the Scenes of Estate of Payne Stewart v. Lear,” Author, IADC Annual Meeting, Bermuda, July 2007
•“Current Trends in Products Liability and Aviation Law,” Author & Speaker, 2006 Annual Education Seminar, Tampa Bay Paralegal Association, September 2006
•“Cross-Examination of the Plaintiff at Trial,” Author, 2006 Florida Defense Lawyers Association, Defense Manual
•“High-Tech Courtroom Demonstrations: Do’s and Don’ts,” Author & Speaker, ABA Section of Litigation Products Liability Breakfast Meeting, Los Angeles, CA, April 2006
•“The Trial of the Payne Stewart Case,” Speaker, 2006 Knights of Columbus Council Meeting, Tampa, FL
•“Forum Non-Conveniens in Aviation Cases,” Author and Speaker, Annual Products Liability Conference Aviation/Aerospace Committee, Las Vegas, NV, February 2006
•“Current Trends in Products Liability Law and The Defense of the Payne Stewart Case,” Speaker, Florida Law for Insurance Professionals Seminar, Tampa, FL, October 2005
•“Trial Techniques for Defending Manufacturers in Product Liability Cases,” Speaker, Hillsborough County Bar Association Products Liability Seminar, Tampa, FL, January 2004
•“Proper Hearing Techniques,” Speaker, Bridge The Gap Seminar, Tampa, FL, 2000-2003

Distinctions

AV Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell

The Best Lawyers in America, 2008-2014, 2016-2026

Best Lawyers, Lawyer of the Year 2026, Aviation Law, Tampa

Best Lawyers, Lawyer of the Year 2025, Aviation Law, Tampa

Best Lawyers, Lawyer of the Year 2021, Aviation Law, Tampa

Best Lawyers, Lawyer of the Year 2020, Products Liability Litigation - Defendants, Tampa

Best Lawyers, Lawyer of the Year 2013, Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants, Tampa

Florida Legal Elite, Florida Trend Magazine, 2004, 2009 - 2014, 2016; ranked in the top 2% of practicing Florida Bar Members

Florida Super Lawyers, 2006-2022

Tampa’s Top Attorneys,2011