Thomas F. Icard Jr.

Tom Icard focuses his practice on construction-related matters, from review of contract documents to claims negotiation and complex, multiparty litigation. He is also regularly engaged as a neutral in construction cases and in a broad range of other civil disputes.

Tom has represented public and private owners, developers, contractors, subcontractors, sureties, and design professionals in matters involving the construction of industrial facilities; airports, power plants, ports, highways, municipal sewer systems, underwater tunneling, and other infrastructure projects; hospitals; hotels; office buildings; and condominiums. His trial experience and his experience as a neutral also include employment, land use, condemnation, estates, securities, limited liability company issues, shareholder derivative actions, and other corporate and commercial disputes. He also has experience with respect to personal injury, wrongful death, products liability, medical device/implant claims, insurance coverage, and professional malpractice claims.

In addition to his litigation practice, Tom serves as a mediator, arbitrator, trial resolution judge, and court-appointed neutral (special master). He has served as the neutral in more than 500 construction and other matters, ranging from two to 19 parties and exposures over $600 million. He has served as a single arbitrator and as the chief arbitrator on a panel of three in matters involving major property damage claims, insurance coverage, securities, and other business disputes. He also has experience as a special master in federal proceedings. He has previously served on the Panel of Arbitrators of the American Arbitration Association and the Public Arbitration Panel of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority.

Tom is board certified by the Florida Bar in both civil trial law and construction law, and he is one of seven attorneys in Florida to hold both certifications. He is certified by the Florida Supreme Court as a circuit civil and appellate mediator and is a certified mediator in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida. He is also qualified to accept Florida circuit court appointments as a binding arbitrator or trial resolution judge.

• The Best Lawyers in America (2006–2027); Sarasota " Lawyer of the Year," Construction (2016, 2018, 2021, 2024), Tampa "Lawyer of the Year," Mediation (2012)
• Elite Top Attorneys, Sarasota Magazine (2020–2026)
• Florida Super Lawyers, Super Lawyers Magazine (2006–2025)
• Florida Legal Elite, Florida Trend (2011, 2014)
• Chambers USA (2003–2010)

• Academy of Court-Appointed Neutrals
  • Board of Directors
• American Bar Association
  • Special Masters Committee, Lawyers Conference, Judicial Division
• American Bar Foundation
  • Fellow
• FFLA
  • Fellow
• John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art Foundation
  • Board Member Emeritus
• Leadership Florida

• "Resolution of Claims Arising From the 2021 Collapse of the Champlain  Towers South Condominium Building in Surfside, Florida," Academy of Court-Appointed Neutrals, Fort Lauderdale, FL  (March 2024)
• "A Revolution That Doesn't Offend Anyone: A Plan for Making More Effective Use of Special Masters in Florida State Courts," Sarasota County Bar Association (April 2022)
• "The Appointment and Use of Special Masters in Federal Civil Litigation," Federal Bar Association and Tampa Bay Bankruptcy Bar Association, Tampa, FL (January 2020)
• "Florida Construction Lien Law: What You Should Know, What You Don't Know and Why It Matters," Gulf Coast Builders Exchange (May 2017)
• "Construction Contracts, Statutory Limitations, Warranties and Strategies to Avoid Disputes," Gulf Coast Builders Exchange, Sarasota, FL (October 2016)
• "Statutory Prompt Payment Provisions" and "Florida Construction Lien Law: Ethical Issues and Related Considerations," Lorman Education Services, Sarasota, FL (November 2011)
• "Mediation of Construction Disputes," Hillsborough County Bar Association Construction Law Section, Tampa, FL (February 2011)
• "Advanced Litigation Skills Training: Selecting, Preparing, Attacking and Defending Expert Witnesses," 3rd Annual Construction Law Institute, The Florida Bar, Orlando, FL (April 2010)
• "Florida Law for Design Professionals," Lorman Education Services, Sarasota, FL (2002)
• "Taking the High Road," The Florida Bar Trial Lawyers Section, Miami, Tampa, Jacksonville, and Orlando, FL (1997–2000)
• "Sick Building Syndrome: A Primer for Owners, Contractors, Designers and Attorneys," The Construction Superconference, San Francisco, CA (1994)
• "Sick Building Syndrome and Building-Related Illness Claims," Envirosense, St. Petersburg, FL (1993)
• "Indoor Air Quality: Liability Issues for the Construction Industry and Design Professionals," The Florida Bar, Tampa, FL (1993)
• "Bid Protests on Public Jobs," Annual Management Forum, Associated General Contractors of Mid-Florida, Tampa, FL (1992)
• "Florida Construction Lien Law," Hillsborough County Bar Association, Tampa, FL (1991)
• "State of the Forum/Overview of the U.S. Construction Industry and the Construction Bar," Annual Meeting, American Bar Association Forum on the Construction Industry, Boston, MA (1990)
• "Current Issues in the Construction Industry: Point and Counterpoint," Annual Meeting, American Bar Association Forum on the Construction Industry, Tampa, FL (1988)
• "Florida Construction Law: What Do You Do When...?," National Business Institute, Jacksonville, Orlando, Tampa, and Fort Myers, FL (1986–1994)
• "Voir Dire, Direct and Cross Examination," Hillsborough County Bar Association Civil Trial Seminar, Tampa, FL (1986)