Joshua T. Chilson

Practice Areas

Civil Litigation, 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 

For nearly two decades, Josh Chilson has devoted his practice to helping individuals and families recover after life-altering injuries and losses. A tenacious and experienced civil trial lawyer, he handles cases where the facts are complex, the injuries are severe, and clients are often facing the hardest moments they have ever experienced. Josh brings disciplined preparation and clear, strategic thinking to matters involving catastrophic auto and motorcycle collisions, negligent security, wrongful death, and significant premises liability incidents, along with the insurance disputes that often accompany them.

Josh is known for his ability to transform complicated, emotionally charged situations into a focused legal strategy. He works closely with medical specialists, forensic experts, and reconstruction professionals to develop evidence-based narratives that withstand scrutiny in negotiations and at trial. Clients value his steadiness, his transparency, and his ability to chart a path forward with clarity when their circumstances feel overwhelming. His approach is practical, measured, and built around achieving outcomes that genuinely improve his clients’ lives.

Josh’s work in the courtroom is matched by his extraordinary commitment to strengthening Florida’s legal profession. As a long-serving member of The Florida Bar Board of Governors, he plays an active role in shaping statewide policy for the nearly 4,000 lawyers and judges of the Sixth Judicial Circuit. He has held influential leadership positions, including service on the Bar’s Executive Committee, chairing major Bar committees, and guiding judicial nominating processes at the highest levels. His appointment by the Chief Justice of the Florida Supreme Court to the Workgroup on Trial Court Technology Strategies underscores his reputation for thoughtful analysis and forward-looking leadership.

Representative Matters

• Seven-Figure Wrongful Death Settlement (State Court). Represented the family of an individual tragically killed in a multi-vehicle collision. Coordinated accident reconstruction, medical causation analysis, and insurance-layer negotiations that resulted in a significant policy-limits recovery.
• Negligent Security Litigation Involving Violent Assault. Brought claims against a commercial property owner following a nighttime attack caused by inadequate lighting and failed security protocols. Obtained a confidential settlement after extensive discovery into prior incidents and industry-standard safety measures.
• Catastrophic Motorcycle Crash—Liability Dispute Resolved. Represented an injured motorcyclist facing disputed liability after a commercial driver made an improper left turn. Developed expert testimony on visibility and roadway design that led to a favorable pre-trial resolution.
• Premises Liability Case Involving Severe Injuries. Successfully resolved a claim for a client injured due to a property owner’s failure to maintain a safe walking surface. Demonstrated the defendant’s notice and failure to correct the condition through deposition testimony and maintenance-record analysis.
• Insurance Coverage & Bad-Faith Counseling. Advised individuals and small businesses facing complex insurance coverage conflicts, including denials based on rental exclusions, permissive-use disputes, and stacked-coverage issues. Frequently negotiates with carriers to secure defense and indemnity obligations.

Professional and Civic Activities 

• The Florida Bar
  • Board of Governors, Sixth Judicial Circuit Governor 2016-Present
  • Board of Governors, Budget Committee, Co-Chair 2025-2026
  • Board of Governors, Executive Committee, 2022-2023, 2025-2026
  • 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
  • Founding Glorida Legal Aide

• Additional Judicial Branch Appointments/Service
  • Member, Florida Supreme Court Workgroup on Trial Court Technology Strategies, 2021-2023
  • Contact Attorney, the Sixth Judicial Circuit Local Professional’s Panel, 2024-Present

• 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
• 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

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)

Outside the Office

Away from the office, Josh enjoys traveling with his wife—often escaping to their properties in Tennessee, New Hampshire, and Maine to cool off from Florida’s heat. They recently spent two months in the Northeast, where Josh enjoys the slower pace, the scenery, and the chance to reset.

He values time with family, exploring new places, and the perspective that comes from stepping outside daily routines.