Biography

Austin T. Powell, Esq., is a Strategic Growth Officer for the firm and a Junior Partner in the Tampa office. He concentrates his practice on general liability, premises liability, negligent security, negligent training, hiring, and retention, transportation/rideshare, trucking, products liability, and construction site bodily injury litigation. Much of his practice focuses on catastrophic injury and wrongful death matters. He handles files from inception through trial, with strength in early case investigation, factual development, and prompt identification of end-goal defense strategies.

Austin has tried five cases, including two wrongful death matters. In addition to his litigation practice, Austin spends a significant amount of time researching and implementing Artificial Intelligence into the practice of law to help identify liability drivers, quantify exposure, and surface strategic vulnerabilities to inform defense planning early. The methodology fuels an innovative defense playbook through strategic mapping of adversary counsel and experts. He is an early adopter of AI-assisted litigation workflows, integrating emerging technology into case investigation, records review, and trial preparation.

In 2025, Austin was awarded the firm’s “Guiding Light Award” as the firm's Mentor of the Year. The award recognized Austin’s meaningful impact on colleagues across the firm and commitment to shaping the next generation of professionals. He also recently served as a Speaker for the Florida Defense Lawyers Association (FDLA), on the topic of “Beyond the Profile: Social Media, Preservation, and Fraud Networks.” His presentation highlighted implementation of a process-driven approach followed by advanced investigative techniques and claims analysis.

He is also a current member of the Florida Bar Trial Lawyers and Young Lawyers Sections, Defense Research Institute, Hillsborough County Bar Association, Tampa Bay Inn of Court, and a past member of the Clearwater Bar Association, and Barney Masterson American Inn of Court.

Austin received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, with a minor in Intelligence and National Security, from the University of Central Florida (2017). He obtained his Juris Doctor from Stetson University College of Law, graduating with a Certificate of Concentration in Advocacy (2021). While in law school, Austin served as a Judicial Intern to the Honorable Rex Barbas in the 13th Judicial Circuit in Hillsborough County. He also worked as a Certified Legal Intern for the Office of the State Attorney in the 6th Circuit in Pinellas County.

Austin is admitted in Florida (2021). He is also admitted to the United States District Court for the Middle (2022) and Southern (2022) Districts of Florida.

Practice Areas

Practice Areas

• Auto & Fleet Liability
• Excess | Wrongful Death
• General and Retail Liability
• Negligent Security
• Premises Liability
• Product Liability
• Sexual Misconduct Liability
• Trucking Liability

Experience

Awards & Honors

• Certificate of Concentration in Advocacy

Bar/Court Admission

• 2021, Florida
• 2022, United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida
• 2022, United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida

Education

• University of Central Florida, B.A., 2017
• Stetson University College of Law, J.D., 2021

Professional/Civil Memberships

• Barney Masterson Inn of Court
• Clearwater Bar Association
• Florida Bar Association, Young Lawyers Division

Industries Represented

Verdicts

Verdicts

Presentations

Presentations and Speaking Engagements

Publications

Articles