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Top-Ranked Securities Lawyers in St. Petersburg, Florida

Updated Methodology LexRank v1.210 lawyers rankedReviewed by LexRanked editorial team

Summary

As of November 1, 2026, the top-ranked securities lawyers in St. Petersburg, Florida are Bradley Eugene Essman “Brad” (LexRank 80.00), Edward J Richardson (78.60) and Gianluca Morello (72.80).

This ranking lists 10 securities lawyers in St. Petersburg, Florida, in order of their LexRank score, calculated from their Florida Bar records and other cited sources. Their experience ranges from 2 to 43 years in practice. 1 of the 10 lists Spanish on their Florida Bar profile.

Lawyers ranked
10
Fully verified
10 of 10

The ranking

Ordered by organic LexRank score; paid placements are labelled and never affect a position. How we rank

  1. No change

    Bradley Eugene Essman “Brad”

    Independent practice · St. Petersburg, FL

    Verified
    • 35 years experience
    • Securities
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #1?

    Ranks #1 with 80.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (0/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 18.1)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.7)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.4)
  2. No change

    Edward J Richardson

    Independent practice · St. Petersburg, FL

    Verified
    • 43 years experience
    • Securities
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #2?

    Ranks #2 with 78.60: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Reputation (0/20). 1.40 points behind #1, mostly data quality.

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 18.1)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 15)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.4)

    1.40 points behind #1 (Bradley Eugene Essman “Brad”): Data quality −1.4.

    Not on record (scores 0, never estimated): website.

  3. No change

    Gianluca Morello

    Independent practice · St. Petersburg, FL

    Verified
    • 19 years experience
    • Securities
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #3?

    Ranks #3 with 72.80: strongest in Experience (22.8/30) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (0/20). 5.80 points behind #2, mostly experience.

    Strongest

    • Experience 22.8/30 (ranking avg 18.1)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.7)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.4)

    5.80 points behind #2 (Edward J Richardson): Experience −7.2.

  4. No change

    David Elbert Little

    Independent practice · St. Petersburg, FL

    Verified
    • 15 years experience
    • Securities
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #4?

    Ranks #4 with 72.00: strongest in Reputation (4/20) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Experience (18/30). 0.80 points behind #3, mostly experience.

    Strongest

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 0.4)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.7)

    Held back by

    • Experience 18/30 (ranking avg 18.1)

    0.80 points behind #3 (Gianluca Morello): Experience −4.8.

  5. No change

    Robert K Jamieson

    Independent practice · St. Petersburg, FL

    Verified
    • 17 years experience
    • Securities
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #5?

    Ranks #5 with 70.40: strongest in Experience (20.4/30) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (0/20). 1.60 points behind #4, mostly reputation.

    Strongest

    • Experience 20.4/30 (ranking avg 18.1)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.7)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.4)

    1.60 points behind #4 (David Elbert Little): Reputation −4.

  6. No change

    Vashti Jattansingh

    Independent practice · St. Petersburg, FL

    Verified
    • 18 years experience
    • Securities
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #6?

    Ranks #6 with 70.20: strongest in Experience (21.6/30) and Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Reputation (0/20). 0.20 points behind #5, mostly data quality.

    Strongest

    • Experience 21.6/30 (ranking avg 18.1)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 15)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.4)

    0.20 points behind #5 (Robert K Jamieson): Data quality −1.4.

    Not on record (scores 0, never estimated): website.

  7. No change

    Andrew S Gaunce “Andy”

    Independent practice · St. Petersburg, FL

    Verified
    • 15 years experience
    • Securities
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #7?

    Ranks #7 with 68.00: strongest in Data quality (10/10) and Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Reputation (0/20) and Experience (18/30). 2.20 points behind #6, mostly experience.

    Strongest

    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.7)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 15)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.4)
    • Experience 18/30 (ranking avg 18.1)

    2.20 points behind #6 (Vashti Jattansingh): Experience −3.6.

  8. No change

    Robert Quincy Bird

    Independent practice · St. Petersburg, FL

    Verified
    • 13 years experience
    • Securities
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #8?

    Ranks #8 with 65.60: strongest in Data quality (10/10) and Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Reputation (0/20) and Experience (15.6/30). 2.40 points behind #7, mostly experience.

    Strongest

    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.7)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 15)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.4)
    • Experience 15.6/30 (ranking avg 18.1)

    2.40 points behind #7 (Andrew S Gaunce “Andy”): Experience −2.4.

  9. No change

    Daniel George Bulka

    Independent practice · St. Petersburg, FL

    Verified
    • 2 years experience
    • Securities
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #9?

    Ranks #9 with 52.40: strongest in Data quality (10/10) and Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Reputation (0/20) and Experience (2.4/30). 13.20 points behind #8, mostly experience.

    Strongest

    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.7)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 15)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.4)
    • Experience 2.4/30 (ranking avg 18.1)

    13.20 points behind #8 (Robert Quincy Bird): Experience −13.2.

  10. No change

    LeChana D. Durant “LeChana (Waldon) Durant”

    Independent practice · St. Petersburg, FL

    Verified
    • 2 years experience
    • Securities
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #10?

    Ranks #10 with 52.40: strongest in Data quality (10/10) and Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Reputation (0/20) and Experience (2.4/30).

    Strongest

    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.7)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 15)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.4)
    • Experience 2.4/30 (ranking avg 18.1)

Data sources behind the scores

Every score on this page is calculated from facts backed by these sources. Each profile shows which source supports which fact and when it was last checked.

  • floridabar.org · Official / regulatory · 10 profile pages103 facts for 10 lawyers

Securities market in St. Petersburg

LexRanked tracks 10 lawyers in securities law in St. Petersburg, Florida. 10 of the lawyers have verified professional data. Data verified October 30, 2026.

Lawyers
10
Law firms
0
Verified professional data
10 of 10
Average rating
Withheldtoo few sourced ratings
Median review count
Withheldtoo few sourced counts
Median experience
16 years10 lawyers

Calculated by LexRanked from its own records on ; data verified . Ratings and review counts count only when backed by a source; figures from fewer than three profiles are withheld. All lawyers in St. Petersburg

What sets these St. Petersburg lawyers apart

Every lawyer in this ranking has a The Florida Bar license verified as eligible to practice, and every fact shown links to its source. The figures below come from each lawyer's Florida Bar profile.

Fact about the 10 ranked lawyers Figure
Years in practice 2 to 43 (median 16)
Languages besides English Italian (1), Spanish (1)
License status with The Florida Bar Eligible to practice, verified for every lawyer
Most common law school Stetson University College of Law (4 lawyers)

Who is included in this ranking?

Lawyers eligible to practice in Florida, with a St. Petersburg office address and securities as a practice area on record. It compares 10 securities lawyers, using only facts with a cited source. The Florida Bar does not board-certify lawyers in securities, so the practice area is the one each lawyer lists on their Florida Bar profile, which The Florida Bar does not review. How we rank.

Florida rules to know

A Florida securities claim must be filed within 2 years after the investor discovered, or should have discovered, the facts, and never more than 5 years after the violation (Fla. Stat. § 95.11(5)(f)).

Rule What it means
Fraud in securities sales Fraud, untrue statements or misleading omissions in connection with the offer, sale or purchase of a security or investment are unlawful (Fla. Stat. § 517.301(1))
Unregistered securities and sellers A sale of an unregistered, non-exempt security, or by an unregistered dealer or associated person, may be rescinded by the buyer (§§ 517.07, 517.12, 517.211(1))
Rescission or damages The buyer recovers the price plus interest at the legal rate if they still own the security, or the loss if they have sold it (§ 517.211(4) and (5))
Attorney fees The court shall award reasonable attorney fees to the prevailing party unless that would be unjust (§ 517.211(7))
Florida deadline 2 years from discovery of the facts, but not more than 5 years from the violation (§ 95.11(5)(f))
Federal fraud deadline A federal securities fraud claim must be brought by the earlier of 2 years after discovery or 5 years after the violation (28 U.S.C. § 1658(b))
FINRA arbitration A claim against a brokerage firm is not eligible for FINRA arbitration once 6 years have passed since the event (FINRA Rule 12206(a))
Court Where cases are heard
State court circuit Pinellas County is in Florida's Sixth Judicial Circuit

How to choose among these lawyers

Confirm the license, ask who will handle your matter, and get the fee terms in writing before you sign.

  1. Look up the lawyer in The Florida Bar's directory and check the bar number shown on their LexRanked profile.
  2. Ask whether the lawyer you meet will handle your matter personally, and how many matters like yours they have handled recently.
  3. Ask how they charge and what costs are extra, and get the agreement in writing.
  4. If you prefer to work in another language, check the languages listed on each profile.

Further reading

Sources for the rules above

Frequently asked questions

How long do I have to bring a securities claim in Florida?

Within 2 years after you discovered, or with due diligence should have discovered, the facts, and no later than 5 years after the violation (section 95.11(5)(f)). Federal securities fraud claims follow the same 2-year and 5-year limits (28 U.S.C. § 1658(b)).

Can I get my money back if a broker sold me an unregistered investment?

Often yes. A sale of an unregistered, non-exempt security, or by an unregistered dealer, may be rescinded: you recover what you paid plus interest, less income received, if you still own it (section 517.211). The right is lost if you refuse a written repurchase offer for 30 days.

Do I have to go to court or arbitration against my brokerage firm?

Most brokerage account agreements require FINRA arbitration. A claim is not eligible for FINRA arbitration after 6 years from the event (FINRA Rule 12206), and a dismissal on that ground does not stop you from going to court.

Who pays the lawyer in a Florida securities case?

In an action under section 517.211, the court shall award reasonable attorney fees to the prevailing party unless that would be unjust. Investor lawyers often work on contingency.

Which court handles cases in St. Petersburg?

State court cases in Pinellas County are heard in Florida's Sixth Judicial Circuit.

Are there Spanish-speaking securities lawyers in St. Petersburg?

Yes. 1 of the 10 ranked lawyers lists Spanish on their Florida Bar profile. Each LexRanked profile shows the languages on record.

How is this ranking ordered?

By the LexRank score, calculated only from facts with a cited source: experience, practice-area relevance, awards on record such as board certification, professional credentials, data quality and location. Client reviews do not affect the LexRank score: neither star ratings nor the number of reviews is scored. Payment never changes a position.

Do client reviews affect the LexRank score?

Client reviews do not affect the LexRank score: neither star ratings nor the number of reviews is scored. Reviews are shown on profiles for information only, and Reputation counts only awards on record, such as board certification. How we rank

Which lawyers are verified?

10 of the 10 ranked lawyers have fully verified profiles: Bradley Eugene Essman “Brad”, Edward J Richardson, Gianluca Morello, David Elbert Little and Robert K Jamieson and others.

What is the difference between the top two lawyers?

Bradley Eugene Essman “Brad” scores 80.00 and Edward J Richardson 78.60, a gap of 1.40 points, mostly in data quality. Compare them side by side

About this ranking

Last updated
Methodology
LexRank v1.2 - deterministic, reproducible scoring
Editorial review
LexRanked editorial team,
Independence
Positions are never sold. Paid placements, if any, are labelled and do not affect scores.

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