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Best Lawyers in America 2026 Edition

Battaglia, Ross, Dicus & McQuaid, P.A. — Thu, 21 Aug 2025 17:48:18 +0000

At Battaglia, Ross, Dicus & McQuaid, P.A., we are proud to share that eleven of our attorneys have been honored in the 32nd edition of Best Lawyers in America and the 6th edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America. Being recognized reflects not just professional achievement, but also the lasting impact we aim to make for those we represent. Best Lawyers in America has honored the following attorneys for their outstanding work in their respective fields:

Sean K. McQuaid (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2023)

Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs

Aubrey O. Dicus, Jr. (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2010)

Commercial Litigation
Criminal Defense – General Practice
Criminal Defense – White-Collar
Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs

Jonathon Douglas (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2023)

Insurance Law
Litigation – Insurance

Robert Kapusta, Jr. (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2023)

Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law
Corporate Law
Mergers and Acquisitions Law
Real Estate Law
Trusts and Estates

Bruce Marger (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2009)

Litigation – Trusts and Estates
Trusts and Estates

Andrew R. Pardun (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2023)

Corporate Law
Litigation – Real Estate
Real Estate Law

C. Hunter Rawls (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2025)

Litigation – Trusts and Estates
Trusts and Estates

Caitlin C. Szematowicz (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2023)

Commercial Litigation

Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America (2026 Edition):

Lama Alqasemi

Elder Law
Trusts and Estates

Ranger Jackson

Criminal Defense – White-Collar
Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs

Alec Waid

Commercial Litigation
Criminal Defense – General Practice

Sean K. McQuaid

Sean K. McQuaid has been named to Best Lawyers in America in 2026 for his work in Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs. He currently serves as President and Managing Partner of Battaglia, Ross, Dicus & McQuaid, P.A., and previously held the role of President of the St. Petersburg Bar Association from 2020 to 2021. In 2025, he was also recognized as one of St. Pete’s Best Personal Injury Attorneys. His practice spans a range of areas, including personal injury, wrongful death, and criminal defense.

Aubrey O. Dicus, Jr.

Aubrey is honored in the 2026 edition of Best Lawyers in America for his work in Criminal Defense – General Practice, Criminal Defense – White Collar, Commercial Litigation, and Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs and Defendants. With nearly five decades at the firm, he brings unparalleled experience, having represented clients in cases ranging from minor disputes to highly complex, high-profile matters. He has also been named to the 2025 Florida’s Super Lawyers list.

Jonathon Douglas

Jonathon Douglas, recognized in the 2026 edition of Best Lawyers in America for Insurance Law and Insurance Litigation, is also a Florida Super Lawyer and St. Petersburg native. He has devoted his career to advocating for policyholders in complex insurance disputes and currently serves as a partner at Battaglia, Ross, Dicus & McQuaid, P.A., concentrating on personal injury and insurance litigation.

Andrew R. Pardun

Andrew R. Pardun has been recognized in the 2026 edition of Best Lawyers in America for his work in Real Estate Law, Real Estate Litigation, and Corporate Law. His practice also includes commercial and residential title insurance and business law. For the sixth year in a row, he also earned a spot on the Florida Super Lawyer’s Rising Star list.

Robert Kapusta Jr.

Robert Kapusta, Jr. has been named to Best Lawyers in America in 2026 in multiple categories, including Closely Held Companies, Family Businesses Law, Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law, and Real Estate Law. Trusts and Estates his work in Real Estate Law and Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law. His practice further includes mergers and acquisitions, business and corporate law, along with tax and estate planning. Not only is he an accomplished attorney, but an active community member, serving as chair of the Executive Committee for the St. Petersburg Downtown Partnership.

Bruce Marger

Bruce Marger is recognized in the 2026 edition of Best Lawyers in America for his expertise in both the categories of Trusts and Estates and Litigation – Trusts and Estates. His practice spans estate planning, estate and gift tax planning, income tax preparation for estates and trusts, probate and trust administration, real property law, and probate and trust litigation. He also provides specialized guidance to clients on planning qualified IRA distributions.

C. Hunter Rawls

C. Hunter Rawls is listed in Best Lawyers in America for his excellence in Litigation – Trusts and Estates, as well as in the category Trusts and Estates. A sixth-generation Floridian, he is part of the firm’s Wills, Trusts, and Estates division, where he combines extensive estate planning experience with a strong record in litigation. In 2024, he was also appointed to a three-year term on The Florida Bar Sixth Circuit Grievance Committee “D”, which contributes to upholding ethical standards in Florida’s legal community.

Caitlin C. Szematowicz

Caitlin C. Szematowicz has been recognized in the latest edition of Best Lawyers in America for her work in Commercial Litigation. Since joining the firm in 2012, she has provided outstanding legal representation in civil and commercial litigation, appeals, and employment law for employers. A Rising Star to Florida’s Super Lawyers list since 2018, and a Florida Super Lawyer since 2024, Caitlin C. Szematowicz has been consistently recognized for her excellence in her legal practice.

Lama Alqasemi

Lama has been named a 2026 “Ones to Watch” honoree by Best Lawyers in America for her

work in Trusts and Estates, as well as Elder Law. She also focuses on charitable gift planning, business succession planning, guardianship, Medicaid eligibility, and qualified income trusts. In 2025, her commitment to her clients was also recognized when she was named to Florida’s Super Lawyers Rising Stars list.

Ranger Jackson

Ranger Jackson has been named to Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America for Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs, and for 2026, he also earned recognition for his work in Criminal Defense – White Collar. He brings a broad background in personal injury, criminal defense, and civil litigation, including experience as a prosecutor in both Pinellas County, Florida, and the San Francisco Bay Area, where he handled high-profile cases and led an electronic investigations unit.

Alec Waid

Alec Waid is a first-time addition to Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America for Commercial Litigation and Criminal Defense – General Practice. He was previously a prosecutor in the Pinellas County State Attorney’s Office, where he tried over 25 jury trials, handling cases ranging from complex financial fraud to major legal violations. Alec now represents individuals and businesses in civil disputes and criminal defense matters, bringing extensive courtroom experience and trial advocacy expertise.

Why Choose Battaglia, Ross, Dicus & McQuaid, P.A.

Since 1958, Battaglia, Ross, Dicus & McQuaid, P.A. has been a trusted legal name, providing dedicated representation for Florida residents in cases of all sizes and complexities. Founded by the late Anthony Battaglia on principles of service, integrity, and community involvement, the firm has built a long-standing reputation for excellence. Today, our attorneys continue this legacy, providing skilled legal counsel across a wide range of practice areas while actively contributing to the community. Get in touch with us today for expert legal guidance, and learn more at: https://www.stpetelawgroup.com/

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New Law Will Mean Greater Defenses to BUI Charges in Florida

Ranger Jackson — Wed, 30 Jul 2025 20:28:03 +0000

Updated July 30, 2025 by Ranger Jackson On July 1, 2025, Florida’s boating laws underwent significant changes. Governor Ron DeSantis recently signed theBoater Freedom Act (SB 1388) into law, introducing measures that limit when law enforcement can stop or board a vessel. Consequently, this will lead to fewer arrests for boating under the influence (BUI) and related offenses. As Florida criminal defense attorneys, we believe it’s essential for boaters in our community to understand how this law protects their rights and how it might affect any criminal case arising from a stop on the water.

What Is the Boater Freedom Act?

The Boater Freedom Act aims to reduce government overreach on Florida’s waterways. It achieves this by restricting random stops and searches on boats and limiting certain enforcement powers previously exercised by law enforcement agencies like the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). Here are the key changes under SB 1388:

Probable Cause Requirement for Stops

Law enforcement officers must now have probable cause to stop or board a vessel for safety or sanitation inspections. Previously, they could conduct these inspections without any suspicion of a violation.

Safety Equipment Violations Are Now Secondary Offenses

Boaters can no longer be stopped solely to inspect safety equipment like life jackets or whistles. Officers must have another legal reason to stop your boat before they can cite you for missing safety gear.

Florida Freedom Boater Decal

Boaters can voluntarily obtain a new inspection decal when registering their vessel. This decal indicates that your boat passed a safety inspection and may reduce the likelihood of future stops.

Ban on Local Gas-Powered Vessel Restrictions

The law also prevents local governments from banning gas-powered boats, ensuring that boaters can continue using traditional motors across all of Florida’s public waterways. For more details, you can read the full bill text on the Florida Senate website.

Why This Law Matters for Florida Boaters

In Florida, boating is more than just recreation—it’s a way of life. From St. Petersburg to Tampa, locals and tourists enjoy our waterways year-round. However, until now, random stops have been a frequent and often frustrating experience for many law-abiding boaters. This law brings about real changes:

Fewer Random Boardings

Previously, boaters could be stopped at any time for random checks. Now, unless law enforcement observes or suspects something illegal, they must allow you to proceed without interruption.

More Predictable Enforcement

Boaters no longer have to worry about being cited for minor infractions during a random stop. This means less stress on the water and a greater focus on actual boating safety.

Peace of Mind with the New Decal

Participating in the “Florida Freedom Boater” program signals to officers that your vessel has already passed inspection, which may lead to quicker and more respectful interactions. These changes shift the power balance slightly back in favor of boaters, without compromising the safety and integrity of Florida’s waterways.

How This Law Impacts BUI Charges

Boating Under the Influence (BUI) is a serious offense in Florida, carrying penalties similar to DUI, including jail time, fines, and even loss of boating privileges. However, with this new law in place, the number of BUI arrests may decrease, not necessarily because fewer people are drinking and boating, but because officers now need valid legal reasons to initiate stops. Here’s why this matters:

Unlawful Stops Can Be Challenged

If law enforcement didn’t have probable cause to stop you, any evidence gathered—including field sobriety tests or breathalyzer results—could be deemed inadmissible in court.

Safety Checks Can’t Be Used as a Pretext

Officers can no longer pull you over just to check your fire extinguisher and then escalate to a BUI charge. That’s no longer a legal justification for initiating a stop.

New Legal Defenses Become Available

Our Florida criminal defense attorneys are already examining how the Boater Freedom Act can be utilized to challenge charges, suppress evidence, or even get cases dismissed entirely. Ultimately, if the stop itself is found to be illegal, your entire case could be compromised.

What Does “Probable Cause” Mean on the Water?

This new law hinges on a very important concept: probable cause. But what does that actually mean in a boating context? Probable cause refers to a reasonable belief, based on observable facts, that a law has been broken. For officers to stop your vessel now, they need to:

Witness reckless operation (e.g., speeding, wake zone violations)
Observe open containers or other signs of intoxication
See evidence of fishing without a license or violating catch limits
Respond to complaints or tips involving criminal behavior

Simply being on the water—or operating at night—isn’t sufficient. This requirement establishes a much-needed legal barrier that protects boaters from harassment or unnecessary escalation.

The Role of the “Florida Freedom Boater” Decal

The voluntary decal program is a smart move for responsible boaters. While it doesn’t grant immunity from stops, it signals to officers that your boat has already passed a safety inspection. Benefits of the decal include:

Reducing the likelihood of safety-based stops
Demonstrating proactive compliance with state rules
Potentially supporting your defense if cited or arrested

This decal can be obtained when you register or renew your vessel with your local county tax collector. It’s valid for 1–5 years, depending on the issuing authority. For more information on boating safety rules, visit the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

What You Should Do If You’re Stopped

Even under the new law, being stopped by law enforcement can be stressful. Knowing your rights—and how to respond—can make a significant difference. Here are some simple tips:

Remain calm and respectful
Ask the officer why you’re being stopped
Don’t volunteer information beyond what’s required
Never consent to a search unless legally required
Contact an attorney as soon as possible if cited or arrested

Remember, you always have the right to legal representation. Exercise it.

Why Expert Legal Guidance Matters

Navigating boating laws in Florida is complex—even for seasoned boaters. However, for those facing criminal charges, it’s not just about rules; it’s about protecting your record, your finances, and your freedom. Here’s why working with a Florida criminal defense attorney is essential:

We Know the Law Inside and Out

Our lawyers stay up to date on all legislative changes and understand how they affect criminal cases.

We Spot Violations in Procedure

If law enforcement made a mistake, we’ll identify it and use it to strengthen your defense.

We Handle These Cases Regularly

BUI charges aren’t identical to DUI charges; they require different approaches. We know what strategies are effective.

We’re Local

We’ve built relationships within the Florida court system and understand how to present cases effectively to local judges and prosecutors. Without skilled legal assistance, even minor boating charges can escalate into long-term problems. We’re here to ensure that doesn’t happen.

What Our Attorneys Can Do for You

If you’re facing a BUI, reckless operation, or another boating-related charge in Florida, the legality of the stop may be your strongest defense. Our Florida criminal defense attorneys can:

Review the entire stop from start to finish
Challenge any unlawful searches or evidence
Utilize SB 1388 to raise new constitutional defenses
Negotiate to reduce or dismiss charges
Represent you in court if necessary

We understand that boating arrests often stem from simple misunderstandings or overreaching enforcement. We’re here to ensure your rights are upheld and your freedom protected. Learn more about our boating under the influence defense services.

Contact Us for a Free Consultation

If you’ve been arrested or cited on the water, don’t wait. Our Florida criminal defense attorneys have decades of experience handling BUI, boating violations, and complex criminal cases throughout Florida. We’ve defended hundreds of boaters and know how to use the Boater Freedom Act to your advantage. Whether you’re being investigated or already facing charges, we’re ready to help. With us, you get:

A free consultation to review your case
Personal attention and a tailored defense strategy
Clear communication every step of the way
A strong legal advocate who knows Florida law

Contact us today to schedule your free consultation. Let us help you protect your record, your rights, and your time on the water.

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Alexander T. Lewis Joins Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum

Battaglia, Ross, Dicus & McQuaid, P.A. — Tue, 27 May 2025 17:47:36 +0000

A Prestigious Recognition for Exceptional Results

We are proud to announce that our attorney, Alexander T. Lewis, has been inducted into the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum. This is one of the most prestigious legal organizations in the United States. This elite distinction is reserved for trial attorneys who have secured multi-million dollar verdicts or settlements on behalf of their clients. Fewer than 1% of attorneys nationwide qualify for membership. Therefore, Alex’s inclusion reflects not only his legal skill but his relentless dedication to justice and client advocacy.

About the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum

Founded in 1993, the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum recognizes excellence in high-stakes litigation. Attorneys must demonstrate real, documented success in achieving multi-million dollar outcomes for their clients. Members of the Forum are among the most accomplished trial lawyers in the country. They gain access to a national network of top-tier legal professionals for referrals and collaboration.

Alex’s Record of Success

Alex’s invitation to join this exclusive group is based on a history of impressive outcomes for injured clients across Florida. Since earning his Juris Doctor from Stetson University College of Law in 2014, Alex has built a reputation for securing substantial recoveries in cases involving personal injury, wrongful death, and commercial vehicle accidents. His sharp litigation strategies and tireless advocacy have resulted in multiple high-value settlements and verdicts, firmly establishing him as one of the most effective attorneys in the region.

You can learn more about Alex’s background and accomplishments on his attorney profile.

Community Involvement and Leadership

In addition to his courtroom success, Alex is highly active in the legal and local communities. He previously served as President of the St. Petersburg Bar Association Young Lawyers Section, contributing to the development of rising legal professionals.

Why This Recognition Matters

At our firm, we pride ourselves on delivering results that change lives. Alex’s recognition is more than just a title—it’s a reflection of our continued commitment to excellence, integrity, and client-centered representation. His membership in the Forum signals to clients, colleagues, and the courts that they are working with one of the top-performing personal injury attorneys in the nation.

About Our Firm

Our firm is based in St. Petersburg, Florida. We are known for strong, results-driven legal representation. We focus on personal injury, criminal defense, and civil litigation.

With decades of combined experience, our attorneys know how to win tough cases. We’re committed to protecting your rights and fighting for what you deserve. Clients trust us to deliver real results when it matters most.

Contact Us Today

We extend our congratulations to Alexander T. Lewis on this well-deserved achievement. If you or a loved one has been seriously injured and need a results-driven advocate on your side, contact our office today to schedule a free consultation.

Use our online form to reach out and get started.

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How to Put a Force Majeure Clause in Your Contract

Caitlin Szematowicz — Tue, 12 Dec 2023 20:20:27 +0000

Don’t make the mistake of putting a Force Majeure Clause in your contract, without experienced legal assistance. So many people simply throw a template clause at the end of their contracts. But when disaster strikes, they may find themselves in trouble if the clause wasn’t negotiated well enough. In this guide, we’ll explain why and how to put a Force Majeure clause in your contract properly:

What Is Force Majeure?

Force Majeure is a common clause used in contracts to free a party from liability or obligations if an unforeseen event or catastrophe occurs. Generally, the clause covers natural disasters but it can also cover human actions. The specific wording of the clause will determine the extent of the clause’s power.

What Are the Three Elements of Force Majeure?

For an event to trigger a contract’s force majeure clause, it usually must be:

Unforeseeable
External to the parties of the contract (i.e., not caused by their actions)
Powerful enough that a party is unable to perform its contractual obligations any further.

Why You Need a Force Majeure Clause

The term ‘Force Majeure’ comes from the French for ‘great force’. With that in mind, you can see that it covers events that go beyond the powers of the parties in the contract. Imagine for a second that you’re a steel manufacturer and you need to deliver 400 kg of steel to a construction client – they rely on that for their business, so they sign a contract to protect them if you let them down. But, what happens if a hurricane stops your factory from operating? They could sue you for failing to deliver the steel on time. But, if you had a Force Majeure Clause in the contract, you could be free of liability due to this greater power catastrophe. Read Related: How to Defend a Breach of Contract Claim

How to Put a Force Majeure Clause in Your Contract

Work with a Riverview and St. Petersburg Contract Lawyer

We urge you to try to craft a clause that protects your interests. The best way to do this is with a Riverview and St. Petersburg contract lawyer who will be able to include the following areas of concern: Read Related: Why Should I Get a Corporate Lawyer For My Business in Florida?

Ensure It Covers You or Your Business

You should be especially careful that a force majeure clause doesn’t only protect the other party. It’s a common mistake that people assume the clause will protect them, but later find out they’ve been exploited.

Ensure Key Obligations Are Included

Make sure you are covered for the key obligations that you could be otherwise liable for. Take the time to consider what areas should be included. Also note that some obligations will likely have to be left uncovered – for example, landlords in real estate contracts should expect to keep their duty to return a security deposit. Your Riverview and St. Petersburg business lawyer can help you determine which areas should be covered when putting a Force Majeure clause in your contract.

The Definition of Force Majeure

The definition of ‘Force Majeure’ varies in many business contracts and has a big impact on what happens in a disaster. Generally, the broader the definition is when excusing your business, the better. However, if it’s to protect the other side’s duties you may want it to be as narrow as possible.

Broad Clauses

A far-reaching clause will define Force Majeure as any act, event or disaster that goes beyond the party’s control.
It wasn’t caused by a party’s negligence or failure to exercise care.
Be wary of using the catch-all definition, as courts may not enforce vague wording. To avoid this, you can use phrases such as ‘including but not limited to [then list ‘Acts of God’].

Narrow Clauses

Clauses like ‘unforeseen’ and ‘natural’ can limit a clause’s reach, or you can specifically state that “only” the listed events are covered.
For example, you can state the non-availability of services, equipment, staff or supplies that could have been anticipated.

What ‘Acts of God’ Should Be Excluded?

When putting a Force Majeure clause in your contract, it can also be wise to exclude a few specific events. For example, there are ‘Acts of God’ where the other party could have mitigated the resulting losses or planned in advance.

What About ‘Pacta Sunt Servanda’?

Pacta Sunt Servanda means “agreements must be kept” in Latin. This is one of the oldest parts of international law and agreements. But it rather contradicts Force Majeure by nature. However, as time has progressed we are becoming more and more aware as a society of the external acts of the world from solar flares and pandemics to earthquakes and government shutdowns.

What Happens If You Don’t Include Force Majeure?

If the contract you use lacks a force majeure clause, then it will use some default rules under ‘common law’. These include:

Impracticable: The party could be excused from honoring the contract if it is ‘excessively burdensome’ to do so, following an unforeseeable event or guard.
Frustration of Purpose: When an event changes the nature of a contract, then one’s performance may become worthless – and therefore a lack of performance of an obligation could be excised.

Be warned however that in reality, these rules are hard to apply and it’s strongly advised that you don’t rely on them – but instead include a Force Majeure clause in your contracts.

Are Pandemics Considered Force Majeure?

Many people learned during the COVID-19 pandemic that their Force Majeure clauses didn’t sufficiently cover them.
However, if a pandemic makes it impossible for a party to perform its obligations then, generally speaking, it should qualify.
But if it can be proven that the party could still have performed its obligations, then it wouldn’t qualify as Force Majeure – even if it was still very difficult.
Pandemics may also not be considered unforeseeable anymore, as it could be argued that you’d do everything in your power to mitigate the effects of them.
You should also be wary that any contracts you’ve signed since 2020 don’t state a pandemic does not apply.
The best way around this is to ask your Riverview and St. Petersburg business lawyer to include a pandemic clause directly in your contract.

Examples of Force Majeure

Imagine these examples of Force Majeure:

Act of God

A landslide on a highway hits a delivery truck in Los Angeles, destroying any chances of their clients getting contracted supplies. Their clients quickly threaten a lawsuit. But the delivery company claims ‘Force Majeure’, as was agreed in their contract’. The contract did not exclude landslides from the clause, so they were excused of their failure to perform their delivery obligation.

Act of War

A Floridian artist was contracted to deliver 2 paintings a month to their clients in New York. However, a terrorist attack hit their building, leaving them unable to complete their art as their supplies and workspace were destroyed. They claimed Force Majeure and were freed of any liability.

Examples of Non-Force Majeure

Predictable Events

A concert is held in the middle of hurricane season in Florida, and the hurricane hits thus canceling the concert. Although the hurricane wasn’t obvious at the time the tickets went on sale, the risk of a storm was historically high. The contractual parties could have reasonably predicted the storm and therefore would likely be unable to apply Force Majeure.

Self-Induced Frustration

If a party purposely causes an accident to stop them from completing a contractual obligation, then there would be no grounds for force majeure.

Negligence

A timber supplier fails to deliver timber to their clients, after a fire destroys the timber. However, it is revealed that the fire could have been prevented earlier, but the supplier didn’t take reasonable steps to prevent it. In this case, Force Majeure would be unlikely to save the day.

Hire a Business Contract Lawyer in Riverview and St. Petersburg, FL

If you need to put a Force Majeure clause in your contract in Riverview and St. Petersburg, then our experienced Florida business contract lawyers can assist you. We regularly help businesses of all sizes to draft contracts that protect their best interests and liabilities.

Free Assessment

Battaglia, Ross, Dicus & McQuaid, P.A. is a U.S. News and World Reports Tier 1 law firm in Florida, specializing in Estate and Business Planning & Probate since 1958. With award-winning experienced business attorneys, they can help you keep the business turning smoothly. Schedule a free assessment today to get started.

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Battaglia, Ross, Dicus & McQuaid, P.A. Accomplishments for 2022

Battaglia, Ross, Dicus & McQuaid, P.A. — Wed, 02 Nov 2022 19:23:32 +0000

With 2022 coming to an end, Battaglia, Ross, Dicus & McQuaid, P.A. would like to recap its astounding collection of accomplishments over the past year. These accomplishments are only possible because of the loyalty of its clients.

Battaglia, Ross, Dicus & McQuaid, P.A. is proud to say that these accolades are possible due to the commitment to each client. They have become distinguished as one of the most outstanding firms in Florida.

There’s another distinguishing feature that sets them apart. All attorneys at Battaglia, Ross, Dicus & McQuaid, P.A. dedicate themselves to serving the legal community. Everyone is affiliated with a variety of organizations and holds leadership positions.

An Overview of the Firm’s 2022 Achievements

The firm’s consistency and quality of legal services have helped them achieve so much. These awards recognize the firm as one of the best in the legal profession, each carrying distinct prestige and honor. Here is a recap of all the firm’s accomplishments in 2022.

Million Dollar Advocates Forum

Sean McQuaid & Jonathan Douglas Join the Class of the Legal Elite

Million Dollar Advocates Forum is one of the most prestigious groups for trial attorneys. Membership is exclusive and requires a million or multi-million-dollar win. Less than 1% of attorneys earn membership rights and must meet objective qualification criteria.

Sean and Jonathon’s dedication to the personal injury field have not gone unnoticed. Their approach and proven case results have brought them into the Top Tier of the legal elite from the leading legal evaluators across America. With Jonathon’s knowledge of the opposition and Sean’s commitment to excellence, they are the force to be reckoned with.

Tampa Bay’s Best of the Bay – Best Attorney 2022 by Creative Loafing

Sean McQuaid – Best Attorney in Tampa Bay

Over 500,000 community members casted their votes in what turned out to be the largest voter participation to date. There is only one Best of the Bay and Sean is honored to wear the badge.

2023 Best Lawyers®

Caitlin C. Szematowicz, Andrew R. Pardun, Aubrey O. Dicus, Jr., Bruce Marger, Howard P. Ross, Jonathon Douglas, Robert Kapusta, Jr., and Sean K. McQuaid Have Been Recognized as the Best Lawyers in America

Best Lawyers is an esteemed title in the legal community. Best Lawyers® is a well-known and respected peer-review publication company, distinguished for its unbiased and reliable recommendations. They find the best lawyers in the world.

2022 Tampa Bay Times Best of the Best

The Tampa Bay Times Best of the Best celebrates the best businesses in Tampa, chosen by community members. The firm has received the Tampa Bay Times Best of the Best people’s choice award for the last four years (2019, 2020, 2021, 2022).

2022 Florida Trend’s Legal Elite

Sean McQuaid, Robert Kapusta, Caitlin Szematowicz, and Andrew Pardun

Florida Trend’s Florida Legal Elite is an exclusive title in the legal community – only the top 1.3% of lawyers in Florida earn it. Legal Elite nominees are a small group of the finest attorneys chosen by their peers. Earning this title is highly competitive and considered one of the highest achievements available to Florida Lawyers.

Sean, Robert, Caitlin and Andrew’s dedication to the local community have earned them the Florida Trend’s badge for 2022.

2022 Florida Super Lawyers

Sean McQuaid, Aubrey Dicus, Howard Ross, Caitlin Szemotowicz, Andrew Pardun, and Robert Kapusta

Florida Super Lawyers is a rating service that recognizes distinctive attorneys with the highest degrees of peer recognition and professional development.

2022 Best of St. Petersburg Award for Best Local Business

Sean K. McQuaid receives Best of St. Petersburg Award for Best Local Business

The St. Petersburg Award Program offers support and public recognition to the top businesses in St. Petersburg and surrounding areas.

2022 Expertise Award for Best Probate Lawyers in St. Petersburg

2022 is the second consecutive year receiving an A+ rating from Expertise.com for Best Probate Lawyers in St. Petersburg Award. Expertise.com recognizes the top firms in their field that have presented astounding performance over the year.

2022 Expertise Award for Best Personal Injury Lawyers in St. Petersburg

Sean McQuaid & Jonathon Douglas

Personal injury attorneys Sean McQuaid and Jonathon Douglas earned an A+ from Expertise.com for their reputation and professionalism.

2023 US News & World Report, Best Law Firm

The firm has won this award in seven practice areas:

US News & World Report is a globally-renowned media company. They collaborated with Best Lawyers to rank over 15,000 firms and select the best. 2023 “Best Law Firms” Award eligibility requires at least one attorney to be listed in the current edition of Best Lawyers.

A Greatness that Endures Through Generations

Battaglia, Ross, Dicus & McQuaid, P.A. is one of the oldest in Florida. Anthony S. Battaglia established the firm in 1958. In the firm’s 64th year, the success has continued.

Today, the attorneys carry on his legacy and are respected for their expertise in their respective practice areas. Additionally, they are known for their personalized approach – genuinely listening, connecting with clients, and prioritizing their needs. As a comprehensive service law firm, Battaglia, Ross, Dicus & McQuaid, P.A. offers legal services in the following areas:

Civil litigation
Personal injury
Car accidents and auto accidents
Complicated commercial transactions
Corporate matters
Business and personal transactions
Appellate law
Employment law
Wills, trusts, estate planning, and probate
Real estate and title insurance
Criminal Defense

Clients Are A Top Priority

Much of the firm’s success can be attributed to its loyal clientele. Battaglia, Ross, Dicus & McQuaid, P.A. says that “every client is their most important client.” Accordingly, they give every client the undivided attention they deserve. They have reasonable prices and are committed to helping clients get the best possible outcome for their legal matters.

The firm would like to extend a huge thank you to its clients and the community for their support and loyalty.

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Six Attorneys Recognized as Florida Super Lawyers for 2022

Battaglia, Ross, Dicus & McQuaid, P.A. — Fri, 24 Jun 2022 20:20:56 +0000

St. Petersburg law firm Battaglia, Ross, Dicus & McQuaid, P.A. is proud to announce that multiple firm lawyers have earned the title of “Florida Super Lawyers.” Super Lawyers is amongst the highest honors available to Florida lawyers. It’s a rating service that recognizes the most outstanding attorneys with the highest degree of peer recognition and professional development.

The law firm has six attorneys named a Florida Super Lawyer this year. Sean McQuaid, Aubrey Dicus, Howard Ross, Caitlin Szemotowicz, Andrew Pardun, and Robert Kapusta have all received this significant recognition.

Sean McQuaid, the firm’s president, has commented that the lawyers of Battaglia, Ross, Dicus & McQuaid, P.A. “work hard to help our clients and give back to the community. We are proud that Florida Super Lawyers has noticed and rewarded our achievements.”

A Legacy That Lives On

Battaglia, Ross, Dicus & McQuaid, P.A. is a mid-sized full-service law firm. Founded in 1958 by Anthony Battaglia, the firm is one of the oldest in the Tampa Bay area. The attorneys at the firm have continued Battaglia’s legacy for decades now, handling various cases and claims. The firm’s esteemed attorneys specialize in a broad range of practice areas, including:

personal injury
criminal defense
real estate
corporate and business
commercial litigation
labor and employment
estate planning and probate
property damage and insurance dispute
general civil litigation

Battaglia, Ross, Dicus & McQuaid, P.A. is recognized with a premier reputation not only in the courtroom but in the community as well. Since the firm’s creation, its philosophy has been for lawyers to create a healthy balance between the pressure of practicing law and donating time to the community. Today, the firm continues to honor Anthony Battaglia’s vision of putting its training, education, and experience into service beyond the courtroom. The firm’s active involvement in professional and charitable organizations is a testament to its commitment to excellence. All six of the Super Lawyers have given countless hours of their time to help serve the Pinellas County community.

It’s not only the Super Lawyers that give back to the community through service, but every lawyer at Battaglia, Ross, Dicus & McQuaid, P.A. The firm strongly encourages every one of its attorneys to participate in some level of involvement with the community.

Battaglia, Ross, Dicus & McQuaid, P.A.’s 2022 Super Lawyers

Sean McQuaid

Sean McQuaid is a recurring phenomenon, having been consecutively recognized as a Florida Super Lawyer since 2014. Sean has continued his track record this year as an elite Florida Super Lawyer.

Mr. McQuaid practices personal injury, representing people who have been hurt in car accidents, motorcycle accidents, truck accidents, as well as dealing with wrongful death claims, and criminal defense.

Sean McQuaid is not just a practicing attorney but also the president of the firm, and he manages a team of approximately 40 lawyers and staff.

In addition, Sean has quite a strong presence in the legal community, having served in numerous leadership positions. Sean has previously served as the president of the St. Petersburg Bar Association from 2020-2021. He is a former chair of the St. Petersburg Nuisance Abatement Board, a former member of the 6th Circuit Nominating Commission, and a former president of the Harbor Isle Homeowners Association. He has also served on the Make-a-Wish Foundation Executive Committee.

Aubrey Dicus

Aubrey Dicus is the former president and CEO of Battaglia, Ross, Dicus & McQuaid, PA., and a past president of the St. Petersburg Bar Association. He has been with the firm since 1974. With over 47 years of experience practicing law, Aubrey Dicus is recognized as one of the original Super Lawyers. Aubrey specializes in personal injury, commercial litigation, general civil litigation, and criminal defense.

Mr. Discus has received countless accolades and awards in his career. He was selected as one of the “Best Lawyers in America” by Woodward and White Publications. In addition, he previously held the title of President of the Pinellas Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and is a founding member of the Board of Directors of the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

Furthermore, he continues to devote his law practice to more than just his clients. Mr. Discus continues his commendable legal career by devoting his law practice to helping the people of Tampa Bay.

Howard Ross

Howard Ross has been practicing law in St. Petersburg for 56 years and is recognized as one of the original Florida Super Lawyers. In addition, Mr. Ross is honored for his 50-year membership of the Florida Bar and the American Bar Association. Today he practices in litigation, business, corporate and real estate transactions.

Throughout Mr. Ross’ career, he has earned countless awards, to name a few: he was listed in The Best Lawyers in America, Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent rating, has been a recipient of the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award, and American Lawyer Media and Martindale-Hubbell Top Rated Lawyer in Real Estate Law. He’s also been recognized by Lawyers of Distinction and he has an AVVO 10 rating.

Ross has served in the past as president of Battaglia, Ross, Dicus & McQuaid, PA, and is a former chairman of the St. Petersburg Chamber of Commerce. Today, Mr. Ross is still actively practicing law and trying cases.

Caitlin Szematowicz (Rising Star)

Caitlin Szematowcz is a partner at Battaglia, Ross, Dicus & McQuaid, P.A. and has earned the title as a Florida Super Lawyer Rising Star for the fifth year in a row.

As a partner and practicing attorney, Caitlin practices in the areas of: commercial litigation, general civil litigation, labor and employment, and appeals. Szematowicz previously served as president of the St Petersburg Bar Foundation, President of the Pinellas County Trial Lawyers Association, and on the Executive Committee of the Barney Masterson American Inn of court. She also serves on the Sixth Judicial Circuit’s Professionalism Committee.

Andrew Pardun (Rising Star)

Andrew Pardun is a partner at Battaglia, Ross, Dicus & McQuaid, P.A., practicing in real estate law, business law, and commercial litigation. This is Pardun’s fourth consecutive year being acclaimed as a Florida Super Lawyer Rising Star.

Andrew serves on the Executive Committee of the St. Petersburg Bar Association and formerly served as the Real Property Section chair.

He currently serves as chair of the City of St. Petersburg Nuisance Abatement Board. He is also a member of the Barney Masterson American Inn of Court.

Robert Kapusta, Jr.

Robert Kapusta Jr. has also been recognized as a 2022 first-time Florida Super Lawyer. Kapusta is a practicing attorney at Battaglia, Ross, Dicus & McQuaid, PA, specializing in Mergers and Acquisitions, Tax and Estate Planning, and Business and Corporate Law.

Kapusta’s scope of expertise does not end with the law. He is also a Certified Public Accountant, and he is admitted to practice in all Florida state courts.

Robert is a highly active leader in the community and volunteers much of his time to foster local business growth and economic vitality.

In addition, he’s passionate about improving school and educational programming opportunities in St. Petersburg. As a result, he has received several awards recognizing his dedication to community service.

Kapusta is the chair of the Executive Committee for the St. Petersburg Downtown Partnership, Committee Chair for Tampa Bay Innovation Center, on the Board of Governors for the St. Petersburg Chamber of Commerce, and chair member of Bill Edwards Foundation for the Performing Arts. These are just a few of the countless civil activities that Mr. Kapusta commits his time to.

Kapusta has an AV rating in Martindale-Hubbell and has previously served as President and Treasurer of the St. Petersburg Bar Foundation.

Florida Super Lawyers

Florida Super Lawyers, run by Thomson Reuters, is an attorney rating system that recognizes the top lawyers in Florida. They use a rigorous, patented, multi-phase selection process. That process includes peer nomination, independent research, and peer evaluation.

With an exclusive selection process, only the top 5% of licensed attorneys can win the title “Super Lawyer,” and only 2.5% can be Rising Stars. To be eligible for inclusion in Rising Stars, a candidate must be either 40 years old or younger, or in practice for 10 years or less.The selection process is designed to find the top attorneys in their practicing fields. Battaglia, Ross, Dicus & McQuaid, P.A. is honored to receive this recognition and will continue to pursue the ideals that led its lawyers to this level of achievement.

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Do I Need a Personal Injury Attorney?

Sean McQuaid — Sat, 30 Apr 2022 12:04:44 +0000

If you have been involved in an accident, you may be wondering if you need to hire a personal injury attorney. There are certain situations when the answer is clear, however, it is not always simple. If you are unsure whether hiring an attorney for your personal injury case is right for you, here are things that you should consider.

Injuries and Damages

The extent and severity of your damages are a major factor in determining if you should hire an attorney. If you were seriously injured in the accident, or permanently disabled, you should have an attorney that will fight for you. Or if the injuries were such that there are lingering issues that require long-term or ongoing medical treatment or future care, an attorney can help ensure you recover sufficient compensation to cover the cost of future medical treatment. It is important that all your injuries are identified and either treated or have a viable treatment plan before settling any injury claim. You should talk with your doctor about any concerns you have, and you should have a release from your doctors, or if your injuries are permanent, a permanent impairment rating.

If you were injured in an accident and had a pre-existing medical condition, you should talk with an experienced attorney that will fight to ensure that those preexisting conditions do not significantly impact the compensation you can recover. Did you know that there is a long-standing common law legal doctrine called the Eggshell Doctrine? It states that a negligent party does not have less liability or responsibility to pay damages just because the injured party already had prior medical problems or conditions. If a negligent party causes injuries to someone else, then they are responsible for all the resulting consequences – whether they were foreseeable or not.

Additionally, if you had to miss more than a few days of work and lose wages as a result of the accident, an attorney is probably needed to fight for your case.

Insurance Company

After an accident, the insurance company may offer to settle your case quickly. Do not believe that this is for your benefit. When insurance companies want to settle quickly, many times it is to close the matter, and have you release them from any further liability before any additional medical issues arise. In fact, the insurance company does not feel the time pressure or urgency to settle the case in the same way you might. You have mounting medical bills, vehicle repair costs, and perhaps lost wages, all of which can make you accept a lower settlement offer, just to give you some relief from the financial strain.

Also, keep in mind that it is the insurance adjuster’s job to save their company money, and they do this by paying as little money as they can for any claims. The insurance adjusters do this all day long, and the insurance companies have vast resources at their disposal including teams of lawyers and medical and forensic experts, all of whom are working to limit the money that is paid to you for your personal injury claim.

Once you accept the settlement offer and receive the money, the medical providers and any other lien holders will be waiting for payment. A substantial benefit of hiring an experienced personal injury attorney is that we will work to reduce the amount you have to pay. We do this by negotiating with those lien holders for a lower payment amount and we try to get you the best possible results.

An experienced personal injury attorney will be familiar with the tactics many insurance companies use to minimize any settlement payment, which will even the playing field when dealing with the insurance company.

Knowledge and Experience

The majority of personal injury claims are settled out of court, however, that does not mean that the law is irrelevant. You need to have a strong legal case to successfully negotiate with the insurance company. Knowing the law is the key to a successful resolution of your personal injury claim. Your attorney and their support staff will take on the responsibility of communicating with the insurance adjusters directly, handling requests for documentation and all the administrative and legal components required to settle your claim. This will allow you to focus on recovering physically and mentally after your accident.

It is never a bad idea to talk with an attorney. Most initial consultations are free. And believe it or not, most attorneys will give you an honest opinion on whether or not it is worthwhile to hire an attorney for your situation.

Contact Us Today

Having a knowledgeable, trusted personal injury attorney working for you can make the difference in ensuring you get full compensation for your injuries and damages. Your attorney will know where to find the evidence you need to support your claim.

At Battaglia, Ross, Dicus & McQuaid, P.A., we listen to you and want to hear your story!

When you contact us, we will take the time to get to know you and understand all the ways your life has been affected by your accident. We pride ourselves on being empathetic, compassionate, and caring. This is just one of the reasons we are Florida’s top-rated personal injury attorneys – providing personalized legal advice addressed to meet your individual needs.

From the first call, you will know that we will be there with you, helping you to navigate through what can be a complex, difficult, and emotionally challenging time. We strive to provide you with all the information and resources you need. We are dedicated to making your life easier. From start to finish, we will promptly answer all your questions and provide the best legal advice, so you can make informed decisions about your future.

We build trust through open, timely communication, and straightforward legal advice. We are an award-winning, established personal injury law firm, fighting for our clients for over 60 years, and have recovered more than $145 million in awards. Contact us today and we will fight to get the results you deserve.

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Battaglia, Ross, Dicus & McQuaid, P.A. Wins Best Law Firm for the Third Year in a Row

Battaglia, Ross, Dicus & McQuaid, P.A. — Mon, 23 Aug 2021 18:37:03 +0000

Battaglia, Ross, Dicus & McQuaid, P.A. announces that it has been voted Tampa Bay Times Best of the Best in the categories of Best Attorney/Law Firm for the third year in a row and Best Title Company for a second time. The People’s Choice Award Best of the Best honors businesses and organizations loved by the Tampa Bay community. “It is a privilege to be celebrated by the community we strive to help and make a better place. We are proud that our lawyers and staff care first and foremost about our clients and this award acknowledges that. I believe that is the way it should be. We are here to serve.” ~Sean McQuaid, Firm President

We Appreciate You

Battaglia, Ross, Dicus & McQuaid, P.A. appreciates all its clients. Every case, no matter the size, receives personalized attention and respect. Our clients are what has made the Firm great. This award is not about the Firm, it is about our clients. On behalf of the entire law firm, thank you for this award.

Continuing the Legacy

Giving Back to the Community

The Firm is now the oldest law firm in St. Petersburg and still going strong. Part of its longevity has been its role in giving back to the community. Every lawyer and member of the staff is expected to participate in extracurricular organizations. Sean McQuaid is serving as Past President of the St. Petersburg Bar Association. He followed Anthony Battaglia and Aubrey Dicus as the third president of the Firm to serve in this role. Andrew Pardun, the chair of the real estate department, is serving with Sean as a member of the Executive Committee. Caitlin Szematowicz, chair of the labor and employment and appeals department, is serving as President of the Barney Masterson American Inn of Court for 2021-2022. The team is involved in a variety of non-profit activities and organizations in the community and looks forward to serving in the Riverview, FL area as well.

Growth and Expansion

Since 1958, Battaglia, Ross, Dicus & McQuaid, P.A. has been recognized for its skill and experience in handling personal injury claims, insurance disputes, estate planning and probate, wills and trusts, criminal defense, property damage insurance claims, commercial transactions, real estate, corporate and business litigation, as well as civil litigation. With the recent addition of five lawyers from Fisher & Sauls and the opening of a satellite office in Riverview located at 12953 US Highway 301 South, Suite 102, Riverview Florida, 33578, Battaglia, Ross, Dicus & McQuaid, P.A. is positioned to serve every personal and corporate legal need.

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Tampa Bay Times Best of the Best – Best Attorney/Law Firm

Battaglia, Ross, Dicus & McQuaid, P.A. — Thu, 20 Aug 2020 15:57:58 +0000

Battaglia, Ross, Dicus & McQuaid, P.A. is proud to announce that it has been voted Best of the Best by the Tampa Bay Times in the category of Best Attorney/Law Firm. Best of the Best is a People’s Choice award celebrating businesses and organizations loved by the Tampa Bay community. The Firm has received this award in 2019 and now again in 2020. The Firm is grateful to everyone who voted for it during the competition. “It is an honor to be appreciated for our hard work by the community we strive to help. We are dedicated to making our community a better place. This award is proof that our lawyers and staff care about people more than they do making money. I believe that is the way it should be,” stated Firm President, Sean McQuaid.

Continuing the Legacy

Battaglia, Ross, Dicus & McQuaid, P.A. is committed to continuing the legacy of excellence established by Anthony Battaglia in 1958. Mr. Battaglia was well-known for his bold style, but his preparation for his cases was unparalleled. This preparation gave him an advantage in the courtroom. These lessons were passed down to the other lawyers in the Firm. For over 60 years, the Firm has been a full service law firm, which has allowed it to help people and businesses in virtually every situation. The Firm practices in the areas of personal injury, insurance disputes, business and corporate, real estate, probate and estate planning, wills and trusts, criminal defense, appeals, commercial and business litigation, and general civil litigation.

Giving Back to the Community

The Firm is unique in the area for being one of the last of the mid-size boutique law Firms. Part of its longevity has been its role in giving back to the community. Every lawyer and member of the staff is expected to participate in extracurricular organizations. Sean McQuaid is currently the President of the St. Petersburg Bar Association for 2020-21. He follows Anthony Battaglia and Aubrey Dicus as the third president from the Firm. Joining Mr. McQuaid on the Executive Committee of the Bar is Andrew Pardun. Caitlin Szematowicz has been elected the Executive Director of the Barney Masterson American Inn of Court for 2020-21. Jonathan Douglas serves on the Sixth Circuit Attorney Grievance Committee. Thus, the lawyers all have dedicated themselves to doing more than just practicing law.

We Appreciate You

Battaglia, Ross, Dicus & McQuaid, P.A. appreciates all of its clients. From the smallest legal matter to the largest corporation, our lawyers treat every case with personalized attention and respect. Our clients are what has made the Firm great. This award is not about the Firm, it is about our clients. On behalf of the entire law firm, thank you for this award.

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Tampa Bay Times Best of the Best Winner for Best Attorney/Law Firm

Battaglia, Ross, Dicus & McQuaid, P.A. — Mon, 24 Jun 2019 17:55:00 +0000

Battaglia, Ross, Dicus & McQuaid, P.A. is proud to announce that it won the gold for “Best Attorney/Law Firm” from The Tampa Bay Times for 2019! The Best of the Best Awards was created by The Tampa Bay Times to recognize businesses that had supportive clients and customers in the community. The Firm is proud to have received this award, grateful to its clients, and is committed to continuing its service to its clients and the community. Winner for Best Attorney/Law Firm

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