H. Hamilton (Chip) Rice III

H. Hamilton (Chip) Rice III

Managing Partner

Location: Tampa, Florida
Phone: 813-228-7000
Fax: 813-273-0091
Email: crice@bgrhlaw.com

 

Chip Rice received his Bachelor of Science degree from the United States Military Academy in 1982 and was commissioned as an Armor officer in the United States Army. He served six years on active duty and resigned his commission as a Captain in 1988 to attend the University of Kentucky College of Law. While attending law school, Chip was selected as a Notes Editor of the University of Kentucky Law Review. He received his Juris Doctor degree in 1991. Upon graduation, he began his practice with a large law firm in Nashville, Tennessee and subsequently moved to Tampa in 1993. Chip joined Bush Graziano Rice & Hearing in 2000.  He is currently the Managing Partner.

Chip is an experienced trial attorney whose practice is focused on the defense of medical malpractice (hospitals and physicians) claims, products liability with an emphasis on children’s products claims, professional liability, general and premises liability claims.  He has tried a number of cases to verdict in Florida in both state and federal court.  He is rated “AV” by the Martindale Hubbell Law Directory, was named to the Florida Super Lawyers lists from 2008-2021, and is also a member of Florida Trend’s Florida Legal Elite 2021.  Chip has been named one of “The Best Lawyers in America” by Best Lawyers since 2013.

Chip is admitted to practice in the States of Florida and Tennessee, the U.S. District Court for the Middle, Eastern and Western Districts of Tennessee and the U.S. District Court for the Middle, Northern and Southern Districts of Florida.

Areas of Practice

  • Medical Malpractice (hospitals and physicians)
  • Products Liability (with an emphasis on children’s products)
  • Professional Negligence
  • General and Premises Liability

Litigation Percentage

  • 100% of Practice Devoted to Litigation

Bar Admissions

  • Florida 1993
  • Tennessee 1991
  • U.S. District Court Middle District of Florida
  • U.S. District Court Northern District of Florida
  • U.S. District Court Southern District of Florida

Education

  • University of Kentucky College of Law, Lexington, Kentucky
    • Juris Doctor – 1991
    • Law Review: University of Kentucky Law Review, Notes Editor
  • United States Military Academy
    • Bachelor of Science – 1982

Honors and Awards

  • AV by the Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory
  • Florida Super Lawyers, 2008 – 2021
  • Florida Trend’s Florida Legal Elite 2021
  • Named one of “The Best Lawyers in America” by Best Lawyers since 2013

Professional Associations and Memberships

  • The Florida Bar, Member
  • The Florida Bar Grievance Committee (2012-2015)
  • Tennessee Bar Association, Member
  • American Bar Association, Member
  • Defense Research Institute, Member

Past Employment Positions

  • United States Army, Armor, Captain, 1982 – 1988