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Practice Areas

Auto Accidents, Motorcycle Accidents, Premises Liability Incidents, Wrongful Death, Negligent Security, Dog Bites, Social Security Disability, All Other Negligence Cases Involving Serious Injuries

Legal Experience 

Josh is a respected leader in the legal community having served as the President of the Clearwater Bar Association. He currently represents the approximately 4,000 lawyers and judges of the Sixth Judicial Circuit on The Florida Bar Board of Governors, which as an arm of the Florida Supreme Court, regulates the practice of law in the State of Florida. Josh also serves on the Board of The Florida Bar Foundation.

Josh has risen to leadership on The Florida Bar Board of Governors including serving on the Board’s Executive Committee and chairing the Board’s Communications Committee in 2022-2023. Due to Josh’s hard work on the BOG and the respect he has gained from his peers, Josh has been appointed to many important roles for The Florida Bar including twice chairing the Florida Bar’s Judicial Nominating Commission Screening Committee, including for the Florida Supreme Court Judicial Nominating Commission. He has also been appointed to chair numerous Board subcommittees. Additionally, he was recently appointed by the Chief Justice of the Florida Supreme Court as the sole lawyer member of the Supreme Court’s Workgroup on Trial Court Technology Strategies.

Josh practices almost exclusively in the areas of personal injury and other tort actions, having represented clients in most all types of personal injury matters including auto accidents, motorcycle accidents, wrongful death, premises liability incidents, negligent security, dog bites, defective products and most other types of negligence actions involving serious injuries. Josh also does personal counsel work in the context of individuals or businesses being sued with no insurance and/or coverage issues.

During law school, Josh was selected for prestigious internships with then Chief Judge of Florida’s Third District Court of Appeal the Honorable David L. Levy and in the U.S. Department of Justice at the United States Attorneys’ Office for the Middle District of Florida. He is a member of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and has been recognized by multiple organizations for his legal skill and professionalism including Florida Super Lawyers, Florida Trend Magazine’s Legal Elite and the Clearwater Bar Association which awarded him its top honor, the 2016 Clearwater Bar Ralph Richards Award.

Professional and Civic Activities 

  • The Florida Bar
    • Board of Governors, Sixth Judicial Circuit Governor 2016-Present
    • Board of Governors, Executive Committee, 2022-2023
    • Board of Governors Communications Committee, Chair 2022-2023
    • Board of Governors Program Evaluation Committee
    • Board of Governors Liaison to the Elder Law Section of the Florida Bar
    • Board of Governors Liaison to the Florida Bar Journal & News Editorial Board
    • Sixth Judicial Circuit Attorney Grievance Committees 6A & 6B Designated Reviewer
    • Sixth Judicial Circuit Unlicensed Practice of Law Committees 6A & 6B Designated Reviewer
    • Client Security Fund Designated Reviewer
    • Past Board of Governors Liaison to the Labor and Employment Law Section of The Florida Bar
    • Past Board of Governors Liaison to the City, County & Local Government Section of The Florida Bar
    • Past Board of Governors Liaison to the Voluntary Bar Liaison Committee
    • Past Board of Governors Liaison to the Law Related Education Committee
    • Past Board of Governors Liaison to the Annual Convention Committee
    • Past Member Board of Governors Legislation Committee
    • Past Member Board of Governors Disciplinary Review Committee
    • Past Member Board of Governors Rules Committee
    • Past Chair of The Florida Bar Second DCA Judicial Nominating Commission Screening Committee
    • Two Time Florida Board of Bar Examiners New Member Screening Committee, 2019-2020 & 2021-2022
    • Two Time Past Chair of The Florida Bar Florida Supreme Court Judicial Nominating Commission Screening Committee, 2019-2020 & 2021-2022
  • The Florida Bar Foundation
    • Board of Directors, 2021-Present
  • Additional Judicial Branch Appointments/Service
    • Member, Florida Supreme Court Workgroup on Trial Court Technology Strategies, 2021-2023
  • Clearwater Bar Association
    • President (2014-2015)
    • Recipient 2016 Ralph Richards Award
    • Recipient of Three President’s Awards (2012, 2014 & 2019)
    • Board of Directors (2008-2016)
    • Past Chair Bench Bar Committee
    • Past Chair Civil Practice Section
    • Past Clearwater Bar Foundation Trustee
    • Past President of Clearwater Bar Young Lawyers Division

Professional Recognition 

  • Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum Member
  • Million Dollar Advocates Forum Member
  • Florida Super Lawyers 2017-2020
  • 2014-2015 President of the Clearwater Bar Association
  • 2016 Clearwater Bar Ralph Richards Award
  • Florida Super Lawyers Rising Star 2012-2016
  • Three Clearwater Bar President’s Awards (2012, 2014 & 2019)
  • Florida Trend Magazine Legal Elite Up & Comer Multiple Years
  • 2013 Leadership Pinellas Graduate
  • 2002-2004 Newman University National Alumni Board Member
  • 2003 Newman University Harvey Ablah Top Student Award
  • 2002-2003 Newman University Student Government Association President
  • 1999-2003 Newman University ASC Community Leader Scholar

Courts 

  • Supreme Court of the United States
  • Supreme Court of the State of Florida
  • U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida

Education 

  • Newman University, Bachelor of Science, Sociology & History (Double Major) (2003)
  • St. Thomas University, Juris Doctor (2006)

Personal 

  • Married to Michelle Chilson, Registered Nurse & Real Estate Property Manager since 2009; One daughter: Olivia, 8

By Joshua T. Chilson August 2018

Imagine you’re in an accident, sustain a serious injury, go see a lawyer and are told you can not recover the full value of your damages because the person who caused the accident didn’t have enough insurance. Unfortunately, as a Florida personal injury lawyer this is a scenario I see […]

Categories: Blogs, Personal Injury

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