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Michelle Bartels, Personal Injury Attorney in Tampa, Florida

Tampa, FL

Trusted personal injury attorney serving Tampa.

Practices in

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Quick answer

Michelle Bartels is an attorney based in Tampa, FLORIDA. The practice focuses on Personal Injury.

Based in
Tampa, FLORIDA
Experience
attorney
Known for
Personal Injury
  • Handles Personal Injury matters from Tampa, FLORIDA.
  • Recognized with Best Lawyers in America — Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants (2026).

About Michelle Bartels: Michelle Bartels is an attorney based in Tampa, FLORIDA. The practice focuses on Personal Injury.

Areas of practice

Practice areas handled by Michelle Bartels

Michelle concentrates on personal injury. Each area below outlines the kind of case Michelle handles, typical outcomes to expect, and how the intake process starts.

Personal Injury cases in Tampa, Florida

Michelle takes personal injury matters in Tampa, Florida. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Michelle agrees to represent you.

Biography

About Michelle Bartels — Attorney of Florida personal injury experience

Michelle Bartels is an attorney based in Tampa, FLORIDA. The practice focuses on Personal Injury.

Michelle Bartels is a partner in Cole, Scott & Kissane, P.A.’s Tampa office and a Board Certified Civil Trial Attorney. Ms. Bartels' practice focuses in the areas of catastrophic and personal injury, general civil litigation, premises liability, trucking defense, professional malpractice, security negligence, vehicle negligence, significant wrongful death, defective products, foster care lead agency and community based care defense.

Ms. Bartels earned a Bachelor of Arts degree, magna cum laude, from the University of Tampa, where she majored in Government and World Affairs, with a minor in Mathematics. Upon graduation, Ms. Bartels earned her Juris Doctor degree from Stetson University College of Law, graduating cum laude. Ms. Bartels received the highest-grade distinction in Property and Corporations and was a recipient of the William F. Blews Pro Bono Service Award and the Attorneys’ Title Insurance Fund Award. During her second year of law school, Ms. Bartels clerked for the Honorable Judge James D. Whittemore of the Middle District of Florida.

Michelle's approach to personal injury cases

Michelle Bartels is a partner in Cole, Scott & Kissane, P.A.’s Tampa office and a Board Certified Civil Trial Attorney. Ms. Bartels' practice focuses in the areas of catastrophic and personal injury, general civil litigation, premises liability, trucking defense, professional malpractice, security negligence, vehicle negligence, significant wrongful death, defective products, foster care lead…

Clients Michelle works with

Michelle reviews new inquiries case-by-case for personal injury matters in Tampa and the surrounding Florida area.

Credentials

Michelle Bartels's legal education and bar admissions

  • Stetson University

    J.D. · 2013

Michelle studied at J.D. in Stetson University.

Law school and academic background

Michelle completed J.D. in Stetson University. Formal legal training is one signal of substantive knowledge — the day-to-day practice Michelle runs in Florida is where that training gets applied to real client questions.

Recognition

Awards, publications, and recognition of Michelle Bartels

Michelle has received 1 formal recognition from bar associations, industry bodies, and peer-review services.

  • Best Lawyers in America — Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants

    2026

Legal awards and honors

Best Lawyers in America — Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants (2026).

Locations

Michelle Bartels's office in Tampa

Michelle's primary office is at 500 North Westshore Boulevard, Suite 700, Tampa, Florida, 33609. In-person meetings are by appointment; a phone intake usually comes first.

Main office

500 North Westshore Boulevard, Suite 700

Tampa, Florida 33609

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Client feedback

Client reviews of Michelle Bartels

Michelle has not yet collected verified client reviews on LawyersListed. Reviews here are all from confirmed clients; anonymous ratings are moderated out.

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Hiring guide

How to hire Michelle Bartels — what to expect in your first consultation

Working with a new personal injury attorney should feel structured. Here's how the first two conversations with Michelle usually go, from the moment you request a consult to the day representation begins.

Consultation formats and pricing

Michelle charges for the initial consult. That fee is credited toward representation if you retain Michelle's office.

What to bring to your first meeting

Bring any documents you already have — police reports, medical records, filed pleadings, correspondence from an insurer, a copy of the contract at issue. If you're not sure, err on the side of bringing everything; Michelle will tell you what matters and what doesn't.

Questions to ask a personal injury attorney in Tampa, Florida

A short list to run through before you commit: How many personal injury matters have you handled in the last year? What's your fee structure? Who else in the office will work on this? What's your realistic estimate of timeline and range of outcomes? How do I reach you between meetings?

Fees & payment

Fees, payment methods, and consultation options for Michelle

Michelle discusses fees during intake so the arrangement fits the matter. Contingency, hourly, and flat-fee options are all common in personal injury practice — ask which fits.

Hourly rates, contingency fees, and flat-fee options

Every personal injury matter is priced differently. Simple document review might be a flat fee. Injury litigation is often contingency. Complex commercial disputes usually run hourly with a retainer. Michelle confirms the model in the engagement letter before any work starts.

Payment methods and payment plans

Michelle's office accepts standard payment methods. Ask about payment plans if the retainer is a stretch — many personal injury practices work with clients on structured schedules.

Frequently asked

Frequently asked questions about Michelle Bartels

  • How much does it cost to hire Michelle for a personal injury case?

    Cost depends on the type of matter, the fee model (contingency, flat, hourly), and how contested the case becomes. Michelle walks through the likely range during the consult so there are no surprises.

  • Does Michelle offer a free consultation?

    Michelle charges for the initial consult; that fee is credited toward representation if you retain Michelle's office. Some personal injury attorneys offer free consults — check Michelle's current terms during booking.

  • How long do personal injury cases in Florida typically take?

    Simple personal injury matters can wrap in a few weeks; disputed cases can run 6–18 months from intake to resolution, longer if the matter goes to trial. Michelle gives a realistic estimate for your facts at the consult — vague answers here are a red flag.

  • Can Michelle take my case if I'm outside Tampa?

    Michelle is licensed in Florida. Matters governed by Florida law are the natural fit. Out-of-state matters are handled case-by-case, sometimes with local co-counsel. Ask during intake — Michelle will tell you if the case is a fit or refer you to someone closer to your court.

  • What should I bring to my first meeting with Michelle?

    Bring every document that touches the dispute: contracts, correspondence, police or medical reports, filed pleadings, invoices, photographs, insurance letters. Also bring a written timeline of what happened, in your own words. Michelle will filter what matters — over-preparing at intake is always cheaper than needing a second meeting.

  • Is Michelle accepting new personal injury clients right now?

    Michelle's intake status shifts week to week. Submit the form; the office will confirm availability or refer the matter out.

Areas served

Personal Injury attorneys serving Tampa, Miami and Orlando in Florida

Michelle handles personal injury matters throughout Florida. Each city below is a direct link into the search page for verified personal injury attorneys in that community.

More counsel

If Michelle's intake is full or the fit isn't right, these personal injury attorneys in Tampa handle similar matters. Every profile below is verified and open to consultations.