Michael J. Bradford

Mike Bradford is a Board-Certified Civil Trial Lawyer. He has significant experience defending the nation's leading insurance companies and Fortune 500 corporations, having tried both bench and jury trials throughout Florida in state and federal court, and handled multiple arbitrations and appeals. Mike focuses his trial practice on the areas of insurance defense, insurance coverage, non-profit D&O, property and casualty, construction negligence, commercial litigation, and admiralty and maritime claims. Additionally, he defends organizations and their board members in directors and officers (D&O) liability matters, including claims involving mismanagement of funds, breach of fiduciary duty, employment practices, regulatory noncompliance, and other alleged wrongful acts.

Mike is rated AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell, the highest peer review rating for professional competence. He has also been selected by his peers to Florida Trend Magazine's Legal Elite 'Up and Comers' and Civil Trial lists, and he has been selected a Florida Super Lawyer by the Super Lawyers organization. Michael is also a member of the Maritime Law Association of the United States (MLA), the Propeller Club (Port of Tampa), the Tampa Bay Mariners Club and a member of the Florida Bar Admiralty Committee.

Born and raised in the Tampa area, he served four years in the United States Army prior to attending college. Mike is active in his community and numerous professional organizations. He is a past member of the Board of Directors of the Hillsborough Head Start Community Foundation, a past member of the Board of Directors of Teaching Tools for Hillsborough Schools (formerly A Gift for Teaching of Tampa), and a former volunteer youth coach with the Tampa Metro Area YMCA and East Point Little League. Mike also served seven years as the Cubmaster for Cub Scout Pack 79, Brandon, Florida, Greater Tampa Bay Area Council, and now volunteers as an Assistant Scout Master for Troop 79, of which both of his sons are members.

Honors & Awards

•AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell
•The Best Lawyers in America, Admiralty and Maritime Law; Commercial Litigation; Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants (2022-2026)
•Florida Super Lawyers (2016-2025)
•Florida Super Lawyers Rising Star (2009)
•Florida Trend's Legal Elite - Civil Trial (2019, 2022)
•Florida Trend’s Up & Coming Legal Elite

Classes/Seminars Taught

•Here Comes the Boom: Cranes and Accidents, FDLA 26th Annual Florida Liability Claims Conference, Orlando, FL, June 15, 2023
•Community Associations - Exposures Close to Home, Marshall Dennehey Client Presentation, September, 2020
•Best Practices For Testifying Experts In Litigation, American Board of Vocational Experts (ABVE) Annual Conference, August, 2020
•Crew Longshore Harbors Workers’ Compensation Act State Worker’s Comp Liabilities, Tampa Bay Mariner’s Club 2019 Annual Maritime Industry Marine Insurance Seminar, Tampa Bay, FL, May 22, 2019
•Property Insurance Law Update, Ft. Lauderdale 10th Annual CE Seminar, Coral Springs, FL, March 2, 2018

Published Works

•“Where Does Florida End? It Depends,” Defense Digest, September 2018, Vol. 24, No. 3

Certifications

•Board Certified Specialist, Civil Trial, The Florida Bar

Results

Summary Judgment Obtained in an Auto Negligence Case Involving a Peer-to-Peer Car Sharing App

We secured summary judgment in an auto negligence case, in which we represented a car sharing app and an individual vehicle owner who rented our his car using the app. The plaintiff alleged that, under Florida’s Dangerous Instrumentality Doctrine, the app and the owner were vicariously liable for the renter of the vehicle, who allegedly struck the plaintiff’s vehicle. We successfully argued that the Graves Amendment preempts the application of the dangerous instrumentality doctrine and exempts our clients from vicarious liability for the alleged negligence of the driver.

Defense Prevails in Jury Trial on Underinsured Motorist Claim

We prevailed in a jury trial on a UM claim in Hillsborough County’s 13th Judicial Circuit. The plaintiff claimed he suffered permanent and debilitating injuries in a rear-end collision in Tampa, Florida. Liability was admitted, but the extent of the plaintiff’s injuries was in dispute. The plaintiff asked the jury to award him $500,000 for past and future damages. The jury found there was no permanent injury and awarded $25,000 for past medical expenses only.

News

98 Marshall Dennehey Attorneys Recognized in the 2026 Editions of The Best Lawyers in America and the Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America

August 20, 2025

Eight Marshall Dennehey Attorneys Selected to the 2025 Florida Super Lawyers & Florida Rising Stars Lists

June 26, 2025