Call for a free case evaluation
Sean McQuaid Best of the Bay 2022 - Best Attorney

Sean McQuaid is President of the firm practicing in the areas of personal injury, car accidents, motorcycle accidents, truck accidents, wrongful death, and criminal defense.

Sean was the President of the St. Petersburg Bar Association from 2020 through 2021.

Sean has made a name for himself in the legal community. He joined the firm as an associate in 2000, was made a shareholder as of Jan 1, 2006 and became a named partner in April, 2013, the fastest rise of any lawyer in the firm’s 60 year history. Now, he runs the firm, which has nearly tripled in size under his leadership.

Sean’s personal injury, car accident, motorcycle accident, and wrongful death practice has become one of the most successful in the Tampa Bay area and across Florida. He represents individuals with various injuries, including traumatic brain injuries and amputations to even the most simple cases involving back or neck issues.

In his criminal law practice, he practices exclusively in Pinellas County. This gives his clients an advantage because he knows exactly what to expect at all times. Sean handles all felonies, misdemeanors, and traffic court cases at the Pinellas County Justice Center on 49th St. N. in Clearwater and in the North County Traffic court on US 19. He represents those charged with crimes such as DUI, drug possession and domestic battery. Sean has successfully and discreetly handled many high profile cases. He is well known and respected by judges and prosecutors.

Sean is admitted to practice law in all state courts in Florida and the Federal District Court for the Middle District of Florida.

He is a member of the St. Petersburg Bar Association, the Clearwater Bar Association, the Hillsborough Bar Association, the Florida Justice Association, the National Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys, the Pinellas Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and various other legal associations.

Message Sean





    Awards & Recognitions

    Sean is a Martindale Hubbel AV-rated attorney, Tier 1 by US News and World Report, Best Lawyers, a Florida Super Lawyer since 2014, a Florida Trend Legal Elite, and a Notable Managing Partner in 2023. He is a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum. In 2022, Sean won best attorney in Creative Loafing’s Best of the Bay award which recognizes him as one of the leading attorneys in Tampa Bay. In 2023, Sean and his personal injury team were awarded Tampa Bay Times Best in Personal Injury Law and for Criminal Defense.

    In addition to his impressive legal practice and accolades, Sean has also been recognized for his service to the community. In the past, Governor Charlie Crist appointed him to the Judicial Nominating Commission for the Sixth Judicial Circuit covering Pinellas and Pasco counties. The Commission is responsible for nominating judges to the Governor for appointment. The term of his appointment ran from August 20, 2010 through March 2015 and he was responsible for vetting and recommending several sitting judges in Pinellas County.

    Sean also was appointed by St. Petersburg Mayor Bill Foster and City Council in October 2011 to serve on the St. Petersburg Nuisance Abatement Board. Sean was elected Chairman in 2014 and 2016 by his fellow Board members and served his community on the Board for five years. Sean has also been on the Board of the Harbor Isle Homeowners’ Association in St. Petersburg for the past thirteen years, all as President or Vice-President. Sean has previously served on the Executive Committee for the Make-A-Wish Foundation and on the St. Petersburg Sports Commission.

    Sean has been a resident of the St. Petersburg area since August 1997 when he began his legal studies at Stetson University College of Law, eventually graduating with Juris Doctor and Masters in Business Administration degrees. During law school, he was a member of the Moot Court Board from 1998 through 2000, arguing in competitions across the country.

    While at Princeton University from 1993-97, Sean was a 4-year varsity letterman and the captain of the Princeton University Baseball Team his senior year. Sean played catcher and always prided himself as being the field manager from behind the plate.

    Sean’s background as a scholar-athlete has contributed to his straight-forward and competitive approach in his law practice. His clients often remain lifelong friends and call on him for advice in many areas of their lives.

    Education

    Stetson University College of Law
    St. Petersburg, FL

    Juris Doctor – 2000
    Honors: Moot Court Board, Member, 1998-2000

    Princeton University
    B.A. – 1997
    Honors: Varsity Letterman
    Honors: Princeton Baseball Team, Captain

    Stetson University
    St. Petersburg, FL

    M.B.A. – 2000

    Honors & Awards

    AV Rated by Martindale Hubbel

    Florida Super Lawyer in Personal Injury
    2016-Present

    Florida Super Lawyers Rising Star
    2014-2015

    Florida Top 40 Under 40 by American Society of Legal Advocates
    2013–2016

    Client’s Choice Award by AVVO.com
    2012 – Present

    Florida Trend Legal Elite Up and Comer
    2014 – 2015

    Best Attorney by Creative Loafing’s Best of the Bay Contest

    Notable Managing Partner by Florida Trend Legal Elite

    Associations & Memberships

    The Florida Bar, Member

    District of Colombia Bar, Member
    The Colorado Bar, Member
    St. Petersburg Bar Association, President & Member 
    National Association Of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Member
    Pinellas County Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Member
    St. Petersburg Chamber of Commerce, Member
    Leadership of St. Petersburg, Class of 2007, Member
    Judicial Nominating Commission, Sixth Circuit, Member
    Advisory Board & Executive Committee, Make-A-Wish Foundation
    St. Petersburg Sports Alliance, Member
    Harbor Isles Homeowners’ Association, President
    Make-A-Wish Foundation, Suncoast Chapter Executive Committee, Board Development Chair of Advisory Board
    City of St. Petersburg Nuisance Abatement Board, Oct 2011-2016
    Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Member
    Princeton Club of Tampa Bay, Member
    Million Dollar Advocates Forum
    Hillsborough County Bar
    Clearwater Bar
    Florida Justice Association

    Contact Sean

    Fill out the form below and I will get back with you as soon as possible.





      Free Consultation

      Fill out the form below and we will get back will you shortly.  Fields labeled with an asterisk are required.






        Search Our Website

        Enter some keywords into the search bar below and click the search icon