About Phillip S. Howell

Phillip Howell’s twenty-plus years of litigation and trial experience allow him to provide clients with an accurate early case assessment, always with an eye toward what the verdict form will look like at trial and the critical issues at mediation. He has a firm grasp of the legal issues and knowledge of the venues in Florida and knows what it takes to achieve his clients’ goals. Phillip has represented diverse businesses to resolve their disputes through the most efficient means possible, from informal negotiations, mediation, and arbitration, to litigation, trial, and appeal.

Before practicing law, Phillip practiced public accounting and maintains his license as a Florida Certified Public Accountant. This background allows him to take the information from experts and cut through it quickly, with a deep understanding of the numbers.

Phillip practices in the areas of commercial and insurance litigation with an emphasis on first-party insurance, maritime, general negligence, construction defect, and professional negligence defense. He regularly defends clients in maritime, products liability, and general negligence claims, representing insurance companies, design professionals, contractors, materials manufacturers, and suppliers. He also regularly defends other professionals, including lawyers and accountants, in professional liability matters.

Phillip has experience litigating fire, explosion, and catastrophic damage cases on behalf of insurers, manufacturers, and equipment testing companies, requiring detailed forensic investigations and responses to regulatory investigators.

In addition to litigation matters, Phillip has handled a broad range of transactional matters, including business and commercial real property sales and purchases, re-financing, defeasance, and foreclosures. He is well-versed in corporate formation, governance, and tax matters. and is admitted to the United States Tax Court.

Phillip is “AV” rated by his peers from Martindale Hubbell, noted for his high professional ethics and preeminent legal ability.

Awards & Recognitions

The Best Lawyers in America - Commercial Litigation, Insurance Law, Litigation - Insurance, 2026

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Awards

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Services

Areas of Law

  • Construction Law 1
    • Construction Litigation
  • Premises Liability
  • Professional Liability
  • Transportation
  • Other 7
    • Insurance Defense & Coverage
    • Maritime Law & Admiralty
    • Product Liability
    • Trucking
    • Amusement, Entertainment, Hospitality & Sports
    • Construction
    • Maritime

Practice Details

  • Firm Information
    Position
    Director
    Firm Name
    Galloway, Johnson, Tompkins, Burr & Smith
  • Representative Cases & Transactions
    Cases
    Representative Matters: Represented a Managing General Agent in a $14 million lawsuit brought by a Florida auto insurer that went through a week-long arbitration. The result was a $12.5 million reduction in what was owed to the plaintiff.
    Represented an owner in connection with a $9 million defeasance transaction.
    Represented a national restaurant chain franchisee in complex business litigation matters involving an $11MM business purchase
    related long-term real property leases.
    Represented a developer in a $7 million foreclosure action
    related matters, including possible Florida DEP violations.
    Represents major insurance companies in first-party, multi-million-dollar breach of contract
    bad faith litigation involving commercial property
    condominiums.
    Represents lawyers, accountants, appraisers, insurance agents,
    real estate agents in professional negligence matters.
    Represents developers
    contractors in commercial construction defect
    lien law matters.
    Represents individuals
    companies in federal
    state tax matters.
  • Additional Links

Experience

  • Bar Admission & Memberships
    Admissions
    2000, Florida
    U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida
    U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida
    U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida
    U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
    U.S. Tax Court
    Not admitted in LA
    Memberships

    ASSOCIATIONS

    •Florida Certified Public Accountant License, 1991
    •Hillsborough Bar Association
    •Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants
    •Claims and Litigation Management Alliance

  • Education & Certifications
    Law School
    South Texas College of Law
    Class of 2000
    J.D.
    cum laude
    Other Education
    University of West Florida
    Class of 1987
    B.A.
    Accounting

Contact Phillip S. Howell

Director at Galloway, Johnson, Tompkins, Burr & Smith
4.6
15 reviews

Hancock Whitney Center701 Poydras Street, 40th FloorNew Orleans, LA 70139U.S.A.

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Fax: (813) 977-1288

118 East Garden StreetPensacola, FL 32502U.S.A.

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Fax: (813) 977-1288

400 N. Ashley Drive, Suite 1000Tampa, FL 33602U.S.A.

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Fax: (813) 977-1288

110 East Broward Boulevard, Suite 1700Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301U.S.A.

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Fax: (813) 977-1288
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Other Office Locations

Pensacola, FL

118 East Garden StreetPensacola, FL 32502U.S.A.

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Tampa, FL

400 N. Ashley Drive, Suite 1000Tampa, FL 33602U.S.A.

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Fort Lauderdale, FL

110 East Broward Boulevard, Suite 1700Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301U.S.A.

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Attorneys FAQs

  • What year was this attorney first admitted to the bar?
    Phillip S. Howell was admitted in 2000 to the State of Florida.
  • Is this attorney admitted to practice in any U.S. Federal Courts?
    Phillip S. Howell is admitted to practice before the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida, United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida, United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida and United States Tax Court.
  • Is this attorney Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review rated?
    Yes, Phillip S. Howell has a 4.6 Peer Rating from Martindale-Hubbell.
  • How many attorneys are in this law firm?
    Galloway, Johnson, Tompkins, Burr & Smith has 120 attorneys at this location.
  • What law school did this attorney attend?
    Phillip S. Howell attended South Texas College of Law.