Professional  Experience

A member of the Florida Bar since 1976, Mr. Tripp has devoted the primary emphasis of his practice to the trial of complex civil lawsuits in both State and Federal Courts. This trial experience includes acting as lead trial counsel in commercial litigation, land use disputes, and the representation of landowners, municipal and county governments in multi-million dollar litigation. In addition to commercial litigation, Mr. Tripp has litigated professional negligence actions and personal injury matters in both jury and non-jury trials. In addition to representation of individuals, he has provided representation to banking institutions, developers, contractors, and private individuals in both the trial and appellate review of complex civil disputes. 

Board Certification

The Florida Bar provides Board Certification to attorneys who possess specialized ability in a particular field of the law. In order to become Board Certified, attorneys must demonstrate substantial experience in an area of law, successfully complete a written examination, meet expanded continuing education requirements, and receive a favorable peer review from both attorneys and judges.

Mr. Tripp has been Board Certified since 1986, and is currently Board Certified as a specialist in three areas:

* Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyer since 1986;
* Board Certified Appellate Lawyer since 1994;
* Board Certified Commercial Litigator since 1997.

Mr. Tripp has also earned Certification by the National Board of Trial Advocacy as a Civil Trial Advocate. He has been admitted to the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, whose membership is limited to trial attorneys who have recovered over $1,000,000.00 for a client in a litigation matter.

Professional Rating

Mr. Tripp has achieved an “AV”® rating from attorneys and judges in the Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory. [1]   The “A” (very high) rating in Legal Ability and “V” (very high) rating in General Recommendations are the highest professional ratings available.  Garvin and Tripp, P.A. is listed among Florida’s Preeminent Attorneys, and Mr. Tripp is listed in Who’s Who in American Law.

Appellate Experience

Mr. Tripp had the opportunity to learn from, and practice law with, Tobias Simon, Esq. Mr. Simon was a noted constitutional and civil rights litigator who was widely respected for his expertise as an appellate advocate. While practicing with the firm in Miami, Mr. Tripp briefed and argued numerous matters in the United States Court of Appeals for both the Fifth and Eleventh Circuis, the Florida Supreme Court, and other Florida appellate courts.

Since moving to Ft. Myers, Mr. Tripp has maintained an active appellate practice, having served as lead counsel, briefed and argued cases in the United States Supreme Court, the United States Court of Appeals for both the Fifth and the Eleventh Circuit, the Florida Supreme Court, and four of five District Courts of Appeal. When Board Certification first became available in 1994, Mr. Tripp was among the first lawyers in Florida to earn that distinction.

Community Involvement

Mr. Tripp has been actively involved in community service, including past service as a Vice President and Member of the Board of Directors of Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida, Inc.; President and Member of the Board of Directors of the Lee County Legal Aid Society; President and Member of the Board of Trustees for DaySpring Episcopal Conference Center; President and member of the Standing Committee of the Episcopal Diocese of Southwest Florida; and President of the Diocesan Review Committee for the Episcopal Diocese of Southwest Florida.

Service to the Bar

Mr. Tripp has served as Chairman of the Judicial Nominating Committee for the Twentieth Judicial Circuit, and was appointed to serve on a Selection Committee for the United States Magistrate position by the Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida. He has served as Chairman of the Florida Bar Grievance Committee for the Twentieth Judicial Circuit; as a member of the Florida Bar Rules of Civil Procedure Committee, and on numerous other Bar committees. He actively participates in the Bar’s SCOPE program, acting as a mentor to lesser experienced attorneys.

Education

Mr. Tripp received a Juris Doctorate degree, magna cum laude, from Florida State University in 1976. Since that time, he has completed numerous continuing education courses related to advocacy in litigation, dispute resolution, and appellate advocacy.

Professional Affiliations

Mr. Tripp is a Sustaining Member of the Academy of Trial Lawyers of America, a member of the Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, and the Litigation Section of the American Bar Association. He is a founding Master, past President, and Emeritus Master of the Calusa Inn of Court, an organization devoted to improving civility and professionalism in young lawyers through a structured mentor program.

Mediation

Mr. Tripp was certified by the Florida Supreme Court as a Circuit Court Mediator in the Florida Court system in 1997. He has participated as both a mediator and an advocate in mediation, as well as the presentation of claims before the American Arbitration Association.

Personal

Born in Washington, D.C., Mr. Tripp has lived in Florida since 1950. He grew up on Anna Maria Island, Florida and has lived in Tallahassee and Miami before moving to Fort Myers in 1981. Mr. Tripp is married and has two children. The family is an active part of St. Hilary’s Episcopal church, where Mr. Tripp has served as Senior Warden, Vestry Member, and in numerous other capacities.