Tampa personal injury lawyer John C. Austin was raised in St. Petersburg, Florida. He is a graduate of the class of 2000 from St. Petersburg High School. He then attended the University of Florida for both his undergraduate work as well as law school. He received a Bachelor’s of Science degree from the Fisher School of Accounting in 2004 and his Juris Doctorate from the Levin College of Law in 2008.
Being a native of Tampa Bay, nothing gives him greater pride than being able to represent members of this great community.
From 2009 through 2016 John worked for a local insurance defense firm representing insurance companies and individuals in personal injury claims.
From 2016 through 2021 John worked as an in-house attorney for the Corporate Law Department of State Farm’s Claims Litigation Counsel in St. Petersburg.
John has also received the Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) designation. Held by less than 4% of the insurance industry, the CPCU designation is widely considered the gold standard and most distinguished designation offered in the insurance industry. Navigating a claim with an insurance company can be extremely complicated and challenging, which makes it an added benefit having an attorney with this type of credential.
John’s experience working as both a private defense attorney, as well as an in-house defense attorney, means that he knows exactly what defendants, their attorneys and their insurance company will do in handling your case. That experience and insight will give you an advantage in obtaining the best possible recovery in your case.
During his career he has handled thousands of personal injury lawsuits, wrongful death claims, attended hundreds of depositions of both lay and expert witnesses, as well as hundreds of hearings and mediations. He has tried numerous cases to verdict as both first chair and second chair trial attorney. John has handled all kinds of negligence claims including automobile accidents, slip and fall claims, bicycle accidents, dog bite claims, property damage and diminished value claims.
John is a member of the Florida Bar, as well as the St. Petersburg Bar Association.
In his free time John enjoys spending time with his wife, Katie, and their two daughters, Gwen and Julia. He is an active runner, cyclist and triathlete having qualified for, and run in the Boston Marathon, as well as having completed an Ironman triathlon.
