John W. Gardner has been a member of the Florida Bar since April 20, 1988. He is admitted to practice before all the state courts of Florida as well as the courts of the United State District Court for the Middle District of Florida. Mr. Gardner graduated from Stetson University College of Law (St. Petersburg, Florida) in December 1987 and from Virginia Tech in 1983. Mr. Gardner has practiced law in Brandon, Hillsborough County, Florida since 1989.
Mr. Gardner began his legal career after graduating from Virginia Tech working as a legal assistant for one of the larger firms in Downtown Tampa. During law school, Mr. Gardner clerked for firms in Clearwater, St. Petersburg and Tampa, gaining valuable practical experience in many different areas of the law. After law school, Mr. Gardner joined a Tampa firm dedicated primarily to commercial litigation and collections. In 1989, Mr. Gardner joined a Brandon general practice law firm where he worked primarily in the areas of personal injury litigation and workers’ compensation. In 1993, Mr. Gardner founded his own independent general practice law firm in Brandon.
Since settling in Brandon in 1988, Mr. Gardner has been involved in various professional, civic and social organizations. His professional memberships include the Florida Bar Association, the Hillsborough County Bar Association, the Brandon Bar Association, and the Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers. He is a member of the Brandon Rotary Club, the Brandon Chamber of Commerce, and the 1st US Volunteer Calvary Rough Riders. He has served as president and director of the Leadership Brandon Alumni Association and as president and director of the Presidents’ Roundtable of Brandon. Mr. Gardner is the President-elect-elect of the Brandon Rotary Club and will take office in July 2012.
Mr. Gardner is married and has two adult children. His personal interests include sailing, SCUBA diving and community activities. He is an avid fan of the Virginia Tech Hokies football team and the Tampa Bay Rays baseball team.