ATTORNEY
Roger L. Johnson
Roger is a member of the General Liability practice group at Cobb & Gonzalez, P.A., where his practice focuses on premises liability and automobile negligence matters. He routinely represents both national and local retailers in the hospitality industry and defends personal injury claims arising from automobile accidents on behalf of commercial carriers, ride-share companies, and individual clients. With a strong background in both civil and criminal litigation, Roger brings a wealth of experience to his current role, having previously served as in-house counsel for major insurance carriers and as an Assistant Public Defender in Florida’s Ninth Judicial Circuit. A native of Tampa, Florida, Roger earned his Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies with a minor in Psychology from the University of Central Florida in 2010 and his Juris Doctor from Florida A&M University College of Law in 2013.
Roger currently serves the National Bar Association as Treasurer and CLE Committee Chair for the NBA Insurance Law Section and as a member of the Constitution and Bylaws Committee. He is also a member of the Board of Directors for the Orange County Bar Association Foundation and serves on The Florida Bar Standing Committee on Professionalism.
Previously, Roger served as Director of Region XI of the National Bar Association. He is a past president of the Virgil Hawkins Florida Chapter of the National Bar Association. Under his leadership, the organization was named the National Bar Association’s “Outstanding Affiliate of the Year.” For his service, Roger was honored with the Brandes S.G. Ash/Toya Carmichael Leadership Award by the National Bar Association Young Lawyers Division. Additionally, he is a past president of the Paul C. Perkins Bar Association and was recognized with its Outstanding Service Award in 2021. In 2020, he received the National Bar Association’s 40 Lawyers Under 40 Award and in 2023, he was selected for The Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division’s inaugural “36 Under 36” Professionalism Awards.
PRIOR RESULTS DO NOT GUARANTEE A SIMILAR OUTCOME
- Represented a tractor rental company in a negligence action arising from a construction site accident in which a rented tractor was involved in a motor vehicle collision. Filed a motion for summary judgment establishing that the rental company bore no legal responsibility for the operator’s conduct. The case resolved prior to trial for a nominal amount.
- Represented a janitorial services contractor retained by a major airport in a slip-and-fall action involving an alleged foreign substance in a parking garage. Developed a strong defense based on the plaintiff’s prior knowledge of the condition and the open and obvious nature of the alleged hazard, as well as lack of evidentiary support (including failure to document the condition). After filing a motion for summary judgment, the case was resolved prior to trial for significantly less than the plaintiff’s demand.
Professional, Trade & Philanthropic Affiliations
- National Bar Association
○ Current:
▪ Treasurer & CLE Committee Chair, Insurance Law Section
▪ Member, Constitution & Bylaws Committee
○ Previous:
▪ Board of Governors (2023–2025)
• Region XI Director (2024–2025)
• Affiliate Chapter Representative (2023–2024) - Virgil Hawkins Florida Chapter, National Bar Association
○ President (2023–2024) - Paul C. Perkins Bar Association
○ President (2019–2020) - Orange County Bar Association Foundation Board of Directors
○ Secretary (2025–Present) - The Florida Bar
○ Member, Standing Committee on Professionalism
Honors & Awards
National Bar Association
○ 40 Lawyers Under 40 Award (2020)
○ Young Lawyers Division Ash/Carmichael Leadership Award (2024)
○ Outstanding Affiliate of the Year (on behalf of the Virgil Hawkins Florida Chapter NBA – 2024)
○ Presidential Award (2024, 2025)
Virgil Hawkins Florida Chapter, National Bar Association
○ President’s Award (2023)
Paul C. Perkins Bar Association
○ Outstanding Service Award (2021)
The Florida Bar
○ Young Lawyers Division 36 Under 36 Professionalism Award (2023)