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    Karl Brandes photograph

    Karl J. Brandes

    Partner

    Tampa
    813-472-7862
    karl.brandes@phelps.com
    Areas Of Focus
    Franchise and DistributionReal Estate

    Karl Brandes practices in the areas of civil trial and commercial litigation. His trial and mediator experience includes state and federal court work in the following areas: petroleum marketing, franchise and other trade regulation; trademark disputes; class actions; environmental; construction for engineer, architect, contractor and developer clients; condominium; ADA accessibility; professional liability for lawyer and engineer clients; non-compete agreement disputes; computer; personal injury, including insurance and self-insured defense; toxic tort; product liability; insurance coverage disputes; and real property, which includes extensive land use work. His experience as a mediator in state (where he is Supreme Court certified in Circuit Civil) and federal court is even more diverse and includes labor and employment disputes. Karl currently serves as the firm’s Florida Pro Bono partner.

    Insights

    • March 29, 2025

      Becky's Bash for Education 2025…

    • August 15, 2024

      185 Phelps Lawyers Chosen for Best Lawyers in America, 20 Named "Lawyer of the Year," 26 Added to “Ones to Watch” List…

    More +
    • June 24, 2024

      Super Lawyers Recognizes 13 Phelps Florida Lawyers on 2024 Lists…

    • October 27, 2023

      Becky's Bash for Education 2023…

    • August 17, 2023

      Best Lawyers in America Selects 208 Phelps Lawyers, Names 12 "Lawyer of the Year," Adds 47 to "Ones to Watch" List…

    • August 15, 2023

      MOSI, Tampa Boys & Girls Clubs Team Up to Offer Summer STEAM Fun…

    • June 26, 2023

      14 Phelps Lawyers Named to 2023 Florida Super Lawyers Lists…

    • April 19, 2023

      Karl Brandes Honored Among Franchise Times’ Legal Eagles…

    • October 28, 2022

      Becky's Bash for Education…

    • August 18, 2022

      Best Lawyers in America Selects 158 Phelps Lawyers, Names 10 "Lawyer of the Year," Adds 40 to "Ones to Watch" List…

    • July 29, 2022

      Diversity Spotlight: How the Boys & Girls Clubs of Tampa Bay Gives Children the Tools to Achieve Their Dreams…

    • June 28, 2022

      Five Phelps Lawyers Honored as Florida Trend’s 2022 Florida Legal Elite…

    • June 24, 2022

      Florida’s 2022 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Recognizes 17 Phelps Attorneys …

    • June 28, 2021

      Seven Phelps Lawyers Make 2021 Florida Legal Elite, John Phillips Joins Hall of Fame…

    • June 24, 2021

      16 Phelps Attorneys Make Florida’s 2021 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Lists…

    • December 11, 2024

      Boys & Girls Clubs of Tampa Bay Great Futures Breakfast 2024…

    Recognition

    • AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
    • ​Commercial Litigation (2009-2025), Litigation - Construction (2011-2025), Litigation - Environmental (2011-2019), Litigation - Land Use and Zoning (2011-2025), The Best Lawyers in America
    • Florida Super Lawyers List, Super Lawyers (2006-2024)
    • Board Member of the Year, Boys and Girls Clubs of Tampa Bay
    • Outstanding Pro Bono Service Award, 13th Judicial Circuit Court's Pro Bono Committee, H.A.V.E. A HEART and Bay Area Legal Services Volunteer Lawyers Program
    • Legal Eagle, Franchise Times Magazine (2018-2023)
    • Legal Elite, Florida Trend (2019-2022)
    • AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
    • ​Commercial Litigation (2009-2025), Litigation - Construction (2011-2025), Litigation - Environmental (2011-2019), Litigation - Land Use and Zoning (2011-2025), The Best Lawyers in America
    • Florida Super Lawyers List, Super Lawyers (2006-2024)
    • Board Member of the Year, Boys and Girls Clubs of Tampa Bay
    • Outstanding Pro Bono Service Award, 13th Judicial Circuit Court's Pro Bono Committee, H.A.V.E. A HEART and Bay Area Legal Services Volunteer Lawyers Program
    • Legal Eagle, Franchise Times Magazine (2018-2023)
    • Legal Elite, Florida Trend (2019-2022)

    Education

    • Golden Gate University School of Law, J.D., 1981
    • University of California, Berkeley, A.B., Economics, 1977
    • Golden Gate University School of Law, J.D., 1981
    • University of California, Berkeley, A.B., Economics, 1977

    Credentials

    • Florida
    • U.S. Supreme Court
    • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
    • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Florida
    • U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida
    • U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida
    • Florida
    • U.S. Supreme Court
    • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
    • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Florida
    • U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida
    • U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida

    Memberships and Affiliations

    Professional

    • American Bar Association, Environment, Energy and Resources Section
    • The Florida Bar
    • Florida Supreme Court Certified Circuit Civil Mediator
    • Hillsborough County Bar Association

    Civic

    • Tampa’s Bay Area Legal Services, Pro Bono Legal Services
    • Boys and Girls Club of Tampa Bay - Executive Board of Directors
    • WMNF Community Radio

    Professional

    • American Bar Association, Environment, Energy and Resources Section
    • The Florida Bar
    • Florida Supreme Court Certified Circuit Civil Mediator
    • Hillsborough County Bar Association

    Civic

    • Tampa’s Bay Area Legal Services, Pro Bono Legal Services
    • Boys and Girls Club of Tampa Bay - Executive Board of Directors
    • WMNF Community Radio
    • Overview
    • Insights
    • Recognition
    • Education
    • Credentials
    • Memberships and Affiliations

    Related Services

    • Franchise and Distribution
    • Real Estate
    • Products Liability
    • Toxic Tort Litigation
    • Construction/Design
    • Environmental
    • Litigation
    • Oil and Gas and Minerals
    • Mediation
    • Real Estate and Construction
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