Richard M. Bales, Jr.

For over thirty years, Mr. Bales has focused his practice in the field of commercial litigation concentrating in the areas of complex contractual and business disputes, professional liability, securities litigation, and real estate litigation.

Mr. Bales’ practice has involved in approximately equal proportion both representation of Plaintiffs and Defendants. Although the majority of his work involves trials in state and federal courts, he has also tried numerous cases before NASD, FINRA, and American Arbitration Association Arbitration Panels.

Mr. Bales has been AV Rated by his peers in Martindale Hubbell for over 20 years.

Admitted:

The Florida Bar, United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida; United States Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals; United States Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Prior Professional Relationships:

• 1977 – 1978 – Law Clerk to the Honorable Peter T. Fay, United States Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.
• 1978 - 1992 – Kelly Black Black Byrne Beasley & Bales, P.A.
• 1992 – 1999 – Carlson & Bales, P.A.
• 1999 – Present – Bales, Sommers & Klein, P.A. (Predecessor firm name: Bales & Sommers, P.A.)

Law School:

Cumberland School of Law of Samford University, Magna Cum Laude, 1977.

College:

Stetson University, Magna Cum Laude, 1974.

Member:

The Florida Bar; The Alabama Bar.

Born:

Fort Monroe, Virginia (1952).