About J. Michael Grimley, Jr.

Mike Grimley has more than 30 years of experience in representing insurance companies, corporations, business entities, and individuals in a wide variety of litigation. Mike believes that the interests and goals of his clients are paramount. He has learned that the best way to achieve those goals is through a proactive approach that involves developing an early case assessment through focused discovery, targeted motion practice, and timely dispute resolution, and if the case can not be resolved favorably, then through an aggressive defense at trial. Having tried numerous jury and bench trials throughout the State and Federal Courts in Florida, Louisiana, Texas (ad hoc), and Alabama (ad hoc), Mike has developed the skills to successfully try a wide variety of cases in diverse jurisdictions. That extensive experience in knowing what it takes to prove a case at trial also provides invaluable insight into how to thoughtfully and skillfully develop a case from the beginning to achieve a favorable outcome.

Mike’s experience and success have earned him an “AV Preeminent” rating with Martindale-Hubbell, the directory’s highest rating for attorneys, and a significant accomplishment that only two percent of all attorneys achieve. Mike has also been selected as one of Tampa’s Top Lawyers as recommended by his peers and seen in the National Law Journal.

Mike handles first and third-party claims throughout the State of Florida for primary and excess carriers. He handles matters involving premises liability, auto and trucking claims, professional liability, products liability, admiralty, and maritime law, construction defect claims, employment practices claims, and environmental claims. He also handles the insurance coverage and bad faith claims associated with those areas of practice.

Mike’s first-party practice involves the defense of claims, including bad faith by homeowners; condominium associations; HOAs; commercial building and property owners; and restoration and remediation contractors. Mike has handled those claims at all stages, from pre-suit EUO’s to appraisals and arbitration.

Mike’s representative clients include domestic and foreign insurers (both standard and surplus lines); attorneys; doctors and other health care providers; insurance agents; architects and engineers; developers and contractors; various vessels owners and marine interests; businesses and entrepreneurs; short and long haul trucking companies; and all types of premises owners.

His extensive experience in handling high-exposure claims at the trial and appellate level has afforded him a critical perspective in the understanding of complex legal issues, coordination of multi-disciplined expert discovery, and synthesis of that information into a successful litigation strategy. His high-exposure trials have included cases involving wrongful death; paraplegia; burn victims; serious orthopedic injuries with multiple surgeries and life care plans; class actions; and a multi-million dollar environmental claim.

Mike is admitted to practice in all State and Federal Courts in Florida and Louisiana and is a member of the Florida Bar Association, Claims and Litigation Management Alliance (CLM), and the Florida Surplus Lines Association. Mike is a licensed instructor with the Florida Bar and frequently gives seminars to claims adjusters and attorneys on topics ranging from first and third-party bad faith, managing outside counsel, updates on the law, insurance coverage, negotiations, and ethics. He also has conducted seminars for clients in the areas of loss control and claims investigation. Mike is also a former President of the Bay Area Propeller Club.

Awards & Recognitions

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

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71 Galloway Attorneys Recognized in 2026 Best Lawyers in America

71 Galloway Attorneys Recognized in 2026 Best Lawyers in America

Michael Grimley Presenting at Construction Risk Conference in San Diego

Michael Grimley Presenting at Construction Risk Conference in San Diego

Galloway Attorneys Named to 2025 Best Lawyers in America

Galloway Attorneys Named to 2025 Best Lawyers in America

New Lawyers and Sisters Following Father’s Footsteps in Practicing at Galloway

New Lawyers and Sisters Following Father’s Footsteps in Practicing at Galloway

31 Galloway Attorneys Recognized in the 30th Edition of Best Lawyers in America

31 Galloway Attorneys Recognized in the 30th Edition of Best Lawyers in America

 

Awards

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Services

Areas of Law

  • Commercial Litigation
  • Premises Liability
  • Products Liability
  • Professional Liability
  • Insurance
  • Other 10
    • Construction
    • Amusements, Sports & Recreation
    • Employment Law
    • Environmental & Toxic Tort
    • Hospitality, Entertainment & Leisure
    • Insurance Defense & Coverage
    • Maritime & Admiralty
    • Retail & Restaurant
    • Trucking & Transportation
    • Hospitality, Entertainment, and Leisure

Practice Details

  • Firm Information
    Position
    Special Counsel
    Firm Name
    Galloway, Johnson, Tompkins, Burr & Smith
  • Representative Cases & Transactions
    Cases
    Representative Matters: Tried a premises liability case involving a paraplegic injured on the client's property
    obtained a defense verdict on the basis that the hazard the Plaintiff encountered was open
    obvious
    that he caused his own accident.
    Have h
    led multi-party, personal injury
    death claims, including one involving a pile up on an Interstate in which our client was the lead truck
    there were over 30 injuries
    the total claim value exceeded $50 million.
    Have h
    led many serious bodily injury claims including instances in which the plaintiffs were electrocuted, or sustained 3rd degree burns over most of their body or sustained debilitating brain injuries.
    I have h
    led large construction defect claims, including those involving commercial projects
    multi building condominiums, in which represented the general contractor or the architect, engineers
    the developers,
    a variety of subcontractors including stucco applicators, framers, painters
    window installers
    manufacturers.
    Tried a benzene exposure case brought by an industrial plant worker against our client who was an environmental service provider
    obtained a defense verdict.
    Tried an asbestos claim brought by a Longshoreman as a result of alleged exposure over years of working in shipyards
    obtained a defense verdict.
    Have defended
    tried class action cases associated with a well blowout
    associated l
    remediation claims in which the dem
    s exceeded $30 million.
  • Additional Links

Experience

  • Bar Admission & Memberships
    Admissions
    2003, Florida
    2019, Texas
    U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida
    U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida
    U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida
    U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
    Memberships

    ASSOCIATIONS:

    •Florida Surplus Lines Association
    •The Claims and Litigation Management Alliance (CLM)
    •Florida Bar Association
    •Defense Research Institute (DRI)
    •State Bar of Texas

  • Education & Certifications
    Law School
    Louisiana State University
    Class of 1990
    J.D.
    Other Education
    Louisiana State University
    Class of 1987
    B.S.

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Attorneys FAQs

  • What year was this attorney first admitted to the bar?
    J. Michael Grimley, Jr. was admitted in 2003 to the State of Florida.
  • Is this attorney admitted to the bar in more than one state?
    Yes, J. Michael Grimley, Jr. is admitted to practice in Florida and Texas.
  • Is this attorney Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review rated?
    Yes, J. Michael Grimley, Jr. has a 5.0 Peer Rating from Martindale-Hubbell.
  • Does this attorney maintain a practice in more than one location?
    Yes, J. Michael Grimley, Jr. has a presence in Fort Lauderdale, FL and Pensacola, FL.
  • What law school did this attorney attend?
    J. Michael Grimley, Jr. attended Louisiana State University.