Owner, Tibbals Mediation LLC
Lara Tibbals has spent nearly three decades helping individuals and businesses navigate conflict with clarity, perspective and purpose. Raised in Dade City by parents who emphasized community service and volunteerism, Tibbals entered law with a desire to help people through difficult situations. After years of practicing complex business litigation in state and federal court, she recognized that many clients were better served by resolving disputes themselves rather than leaving critical decisions to a judge or jury. That realization led her to mediation, where she found an opportunity to help parties create practical, meaningful solutions on their own terms.
Tibbals built her legal career at Hill Ward Henderson, where she became an equity partner specializing in business litigation, and previously served as the first law clerk to U.S. District Judge James S. Moody, Jr. Her experience representing individuals and businesses, including publicly traded companies, gave her a deep understanding of the legal and practical realities behind complex disputes. Today, she is a Florida Supreme Court Certified Circuit Civil and Family Mediator, Florida Supreme Court Qualified Arbitrator, American Arbitration Association panel member, and certified mediator in the U.S. District Courts for the Middle and Southern Districts of Florida. She also completed advanced training through Harvard Law School’s Program on Negotiation.
For Tibbals, effective mediation begins with listening. “People want to be heard. They want practical solutions. And they want a clear path forward,” she says. Drawing on decades of courtroom experience, her approach combines patience, preparation and the ability to understand the dynamics of every room—helping parties resolve disputes with confidence and clarity. She routinely handles business and commercial matters, employment, real estate, probate, personal injury, insurance, construction and family law. Regardless of the subject matter, Tibbals remains committed to helping clients throughout Florida find thoughtful paths forward.
Named a 2026 Super Lawyer in both Alternative Dispute Resolution and Business Litigation, Tibbals is equally grounded by life outside her practice. She enjoys time with her husband, Wes, and their three children, traveling, yoga, Mah-Jongg, and exploring Tampa’s restaurant scene.
813-334-3315
Tampa Bay
tibbalsmediation.com
Instagram: @laratibbals
