Christopher Knopik

Chris Knopik is a board certified civil trial lawyer with more than 35 years of experience as a trial lawyer. Throughout his career, he has handled a wide array of complex cases, including matters involving professional liability, personal injury, wrongful death, product liability, and commercial and construction disputes in state and federal courts. He has represented both plaintiffs and defendants in numerous trials as lead counsel. Chris has been mediating and arbitrating for years while maintaining an active law practice and now practices as a full-time neutral.

Chris has been continuously recognized by Best Lawyers in America since 2007 in three separate fields – medical malpractice, personal injury, and commercial litigation. A proud graduate of the University of Virginia Law School, Chris is also a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) and has received ABOTA’s Joseph P. Milton Award for “conducting himself with professionalism, civility, and the highest degree of ethics.” He has also been recognized with the George C. Carr Memorial Award for “excellence in federal practice” and the Michael A. Fogarty Award for “excellence in civil litigation”. He is also recognized as a Florida “Super Lawyer”.

In addition to his extensive experience as a litigator, Chris has unique experience in the corporate setting. His tenure as general counsel and as a c-suite executive in a multi-state health care company provides tremendous insight and sensitivity into the corporate approach to litigation, health care regulatory issues, organizational decision making, compliance, contracts, governance, employment, insurance, and shareholder relations. Chris also served as national trial counsel for one of the world’s largest product manufacturers and as trial counsel for three of Florida’s largest electric utilities.

Chris is admitted to practice in the United States Supreme Court, the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, the United States District Court for the Middle and Southern Districts of Florida as well as the state Courts of Florida. Chris has received the highest rating --“AV” -- by Martindale-Hubbell, and in addition to being Board Certified in Civil Trial Advocacy by the Florida Bar, he is Board Certified in Civil Trial Advocacy by the American Board of Trial Advocates and the National Board of Legal Specialty Certification.

Chris is a member of The Tampa Bay Federal Bar Association and has previously served as an appointee of the Chief Judge of United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida to the Merit Selection Panel regarding the selection of United States Magistrates and to the Grievance Committee for the Tampa/Fort Myers Division. Chris has also served as an appointee of the Chief Judge of Florida’s Thirteenth Judicial Circuit to the Judicial Rotation Committee regarding the evaluation of policies governing judicial assignments.

Chris is a Florida Supreme Court Certified Circuit Civil Mediator and has been, and continues to be, a sought-after speaker, author, and editorial board member on litigation and dispute resolution topics. He has held leadership positions in many professional organizations. He is also active in his community, serving as a legacy member of Warrick Dunn Charities and as a member of Class XVIII of Leadership Florida.