Overview
Howard Hunter heads the Healthcare Litigation Team. His practice emphasizes the defense of medical negligence cases as well as legal professional liability, sexual abuse and drug and medical device litigation.
Since beginning practice in 1979, he has handled the defense of hundreds of medical negligence matters all over Florida representing physicians, hospitals, allied health personnel, and insurers at both the trial and appellate levels. His experience includes the defense of virtually every type of case that involves medical or scientific issues.
Howard is a past president of the Florida Chapters of the American Board of Trial Advocates (FLABOTA), as well as of the Tampa Bay Chapter of ABOTA. He continues to serve on the Executive Committee of both Tampa Bay ABOTA and FLABOTA, as he has for several years, and co-chairs FLABOTA's committee to preserve Florida's courts. He is a member of the Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel, and affiliated with the Defense Research Institute, the Florida Defense Lawyers Association, and the Florida Association of Hospital Attorneys. He has chaired both a Florida Bar Grievance Committee and the Judicial Nominating Commission for Florida’s Thirteenth Judicial Circuit. He has experience as an analyst and staffer for the Florida Legislature. Howard is a certified circuit court mediator and a member of the Florida Academy of Professional Mediators.
Howard was honored with the 2018 FLABOTA Trial Lawyer of the Year award.
Howard and his wife, Sharon, a practicing veterinarian, have five children, ages 24 through 39. He is an Eagle Scout, and has served as a Cub Scout Packmaster, Scout Troop Committee Chair, Philmont Crew Guide and Chair of Timucua District, Gulf Ridge Council, B.S.A. He continues to serve on the Gulf Ridge Council Board of Directors. He has also served on the Board of Florida State University Seminole Boosters and the Florida State University Alumni Association.
In his leisure time, Howard is an avid but underutilized scuba diver, shot gunner, bird hunter, and boater. His career as an underrated youth football coach ended several years ago.
Honors
- AV Preeminent® Rating, Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review
- Certified Circuit Mediator, State of Florida
- FLABOTA Trial Lawyer of the Year (2018)
- Florida Super Lawyers (2006-2024)
- Florida Trend’s Legal Elite (2008-2009, 2011-2012, 2016)
- Super Lawyers Business Edition (2013)
- The Best Lawyers in America® (2007-2025)
- 2024 Tampa Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants Lawyer of the Year
- 2019 Tampa Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants Lawyer of the Year
- TAMPA Magazine's Top Lawyers (2025)
- Mediation