Alberto “Al” F. Gomez, Jr.

With more than 35 years of experience in bankruptcy, insolvency, and creditors’ rights, Al Gomez has earned a reputation as one of Florida’s go-to attorneys for navigating complex financial distress. Known for his pragmatic, results-focused approach, Al helps businesses, lenders, fiduciaries, and individuals find a path forward in the most challenging of financial circumstances. His calm demeanor and strategic clarity make him a valued advisor to clients facing overwhelming legal and financial complexity.

A partner in Johnson Pope’s Tampa office, Al concentrates his practice on Chapter 11 reorganizations, receiverships, assignments for the benefit of creditors (ABCs), secured transactions, and litigation involving complex financial disputes. He represents debtors, secured and unsecured creditors, commercial landlords, lenders, buyers of distressed assets, trustees, assignees, and court-appointed receivers across a broad spectrum of industries—including healthcare, construction, logistics, financial services, retail, and real estate.

Al brings a depth of knowledge and courtroom skill shaped by decades of work on high-stakes matters throughout Florida. He has handled large-scale corporate restructurings, opposed involuntary bankruptcy petitions, recovered significant assets in fraudulent transfer cases, and guided parties through the sale and liquidation of complex businesses. He is often sought out for his nuanced understanding of Florida’s assignment for the benefit of creditors statute and regularly serves as lead counsel in ABC proceedings across the state.

AV Preeminent® rated by Martindale-Hubbell, Al is widely respected by peers and clients alike. He has served on the board of the Tampa Bay Bankruptcy Bar Association and is an active member of the American Bankruptcy Institute and the Business Law Section of The Florida Bar.

Before joining Johnson Pope, Al spent nearly two decades as a shareholder at one of Florida’s most prominent insolvency law firms, where he helped build and lead the bankruptcy and creditors’ rights group. Al combines his professional rigor with an approachable, client-centered style that reflects his deep roots in the community and his longstanding relationships with business leaders throughout the region.

Whether he’s leading a distressed M&A transaction, resolving a high-dollar commercial dispute, or advising a client on how to avoid litigation through thoughtful restructuring, Al is known for delivering steady guidance, strategic foresight, and practical legal solutions.

Representative Matters

• Corporate Reorganizations. Represented companies such as Yellow Cab of Tampa and ACC Recycling in Chapter 11 proceedings, achieving successful debt restructuring and enabling continued operations and job preservation.
• High-Profile Bankruptcy Cases. Participated in the Bi-Coastal Company bankruptcy (formerly the Singer Company), one of the largest reorganizations in Florida at the time.
• Asset Protection Counseling. Delivered presentations to physician groups and business owners on structuring personal and corporate assets to minimize exposure during financial distress.
• Cross-Industry Workouts and Settlements. Advised high-net-worth individuals and professional services firms on negotiation strategies in insolvency-related disputes.

Bar Admissions

• Florida, 1989

• United States District Courts, Southern (1989), Middle (1990) & Northern (2011) Districts of Florida

Education

• Stetson University College of Law, J.D., 1988

• University of Florida, B.A., Political Science, Minor in History, 1985

Awards & Recognition

• Received The Douglas P. McClurg Professionalism Award 2025, reserved for the most respected leaders in the Tampa Bay Bankruptcy Bar
• Top Lawyers List in Bankruptcy, Creditor Rights, Insolvency & Reorganization Law; Litigation: Bankruptcy, TAMPA Magazine, 2025, 2026
• AV Preeminent Rating, Martindale-Hubbell
• The Best Lawyers in America® in Bankruptcy and Creditor | Debtor Rights, Insolvency and Reorganization Law, 2013 – Present
• Florida Legal Elite, Florida Trend Magazine, 2020, 2022,
• Florida Super Lawyer® in Bankruptcy and Business, 2015 – Present

• Florida Top Attorney, The Wall Street Journal

Community & Professional Organizations

• The Florida Bar
  • Member, 1989 – Present
• Hillsborough County Bar Association
  • Former President, 2023 – 2024
• American Bankruptcy Institute
  • Member
• Tampa Bay Bankruptcy Bar Association
  • Member
• Hillsborough County Bar Foundation
  • Board of Trustees Member, 2013 – Current
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay
  • Former Member
• St. Michael’s Legal Center
  • Former Member
• Federal Bar Association
  • Former Member
• Consumer Protection Law Committee
  • Former Member
• Christ the King Catholic School

  • Former Advisory Board Member

Outside the Office

Outside of his legal practice, Al enjoys an active lifestyle and values time spent with family. He’s an avid tennis player and keeps a regular workout routine to stay energized. A history enthusiast, Al is often immersed in books that explore Florida’s past, American politics, or the evolution of legal thought. He especially cherishes downtime with his wife and their three adult children, whether it’s over a family dinner, a walk through Tampa’s historic neighborhoods, or simply catching up on life. His appreciation for tradition, discipline, and strong relationships carries through both in and out of the office.