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Top-Ranked Appellate Lawyers in Tampa, Florida

Updated Methodology LexRank v1.225 lawyers rankedReviewed by LexRanked editorial team

Summary

As of November 1, 2026, the top-ranked appellate lawyers in Tampa, Florida are Ceci Culpepper Berman (LexRank 84.00), Steven L Brannock “Steve” (84.00) and David Michael Caldevilla (84.00).

This ranking lists 25 appellate lawyers in Tampa, Florida, in order of their LexRank score, calculated from their Florida Bar records and other cited sources. All 25 lawyers in this ranking are Board Certified in Appellate Practice by The Florida Bar, a credential held by 4.9% of Florida lawyers in any field. Their experience ranges from 14 to 47 years in practice.

Lawyers ranked
25
Fully verified
25 of 25

The ranking

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

  1. No change

    Ceci Culpepper Berman

    Brannock Berman & Seider · Tampa, FL

    Verified
    • 26 years experience
    • Appellate
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #1?

    Ranks #1 with 84.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 24.5)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.7)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4)
  2. No change

    Steven L Brannock “Steve”

    Brannock Berman & Seider · Tampa, FL

    Verified
    • 45 years experience
    • Appellate
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #2?

    Ranks #2 with 84.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 24.5)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.7)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4)
  3. No change

    David Michael Caldevilla

    Independent practice · Tampa, FL

    Verified
    • 39 years experience
    • Appellate
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #3?

    Ranks #3 with 84.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 24.5)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.7)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4)
  4. No change

    Matthew John Conigliaro

    Independent practice · Tampa, FL

    Verified
    • 31 years experience
    • Appellate
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #4?

    Ranks #4 with 84.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 24.5)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.7)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4)
  5. No change

    Duane Allan Daiker

    Independent practice · Tampa, FL

    Verified
    • 32 years experience
    • Appellate
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #5?

    Ranks #5 with 84.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 24.5)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.7)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4)
  6. No change

    Raymond Thomas Elligett Jr.

    Independent practice · Tampa, FL

    Verified
    • 47 years experience
    • Appellate
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #6?

    Ranks #6 with 84.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 24.5)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.7)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4)
  7. No change

    Tracy Raffles Gunn

    Independent practice · Tampa, FL

    Verified
    • 33 years experience
    • Appellate
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #7?

    Ranks #7 with 84.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 24.5)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.7)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4)
  8. No change

    Jon Juan Johnson

    Older Lundy Koch & Martino · Tampa, FL

    Verified
    • 34 years experience
    • Appellate
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #8?

    Ranks #8 with 84.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 24.5)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.7)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4)
  9. No change

    George Alexander Vaka

    Independent practice · Tampa, FL

    Verified
    • 42 years experience
    • Appellate
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #9?

    Ranks #9 with 84.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 24.5)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.7)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4)
  10. No change

    Mark David Tinker

    Independent practice · Tampa, FL

    Verified
    • 24 years experience
    • Appellate
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #10?

    Ranks #10 with 82.80: strongest in Experience (28.8/30) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (4/20). 1.20 points behind #9, mostly experience.

    Strongest

    • Experience 28.8/30 (ranking avg 24.5)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.7)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4)

    1.20 points behind #9 (George Alexander Vaka): Experience −1.2.

  11. No change

    Marie Attaway Borland

    Independent practice · Tampa, FL

    Verified
    • 36 years experience
    • Appellate
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #11?

    Ranks #11 with 82.60: strongest in Experience (30/30); held back by Reputation (4/20). 0.20 points behind #10, mostly data quality.

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 24.5)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4)

    0.20 points behind #10 (Mark David Tinker): Data quality −1.4.

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

  12. No change

    Carol Marie Rooney

    Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP · Tampa, FL

    Verified
    • 30 years experience
    • Appellate
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #12?

    Ranks #12 with 82.60: strongest in Experience (30/30); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 24.5)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4)

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

  13. No change

    Hala A Sandridge

    Independent practice · Tampa, FL

    Verified
    • 41 years experience
    • Appellate
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #13?

    Ranks #13 with 82.60: strongest in Experience (30/30); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 24.5)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4)

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

  14. No change

    Joseph Hagedorn Lang Jr.

    Independent practice · Tampa, FL

    Verified
    • 31 years experience
    • Appellate
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #14?

    Ranks #14 with 82.60: strongest in Experience (30/30); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 24.5)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4)

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

  15. No change

    Thomas ArnoldAntoineBeller Burns

    Independent practice · Tampa, FL

    Verified
    • 21 years experience
    • Appellate
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #15?

    Ranks #15 with 79.20: strongest in Data quality (10/10) and Experience (25.2/30); held back by Reputation (4/20). 3.40 points behind #14, mostly experience.

    Strongest

    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.7)
    • Experience 25.2/30 (ranking avg 24.5)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4)

    3.40 points behind #14 (Joseph Hagedorn Lang Jr.): Experience −4.8.

  16. No change

    Sarah Lahlou-Amine

    Independent practice · Tampa, FL

    Verified
    • 20 years experience
    • Appellate
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #16?

    Ranks #16 with 78.00: strongest in Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (4/20). 1.20 points behind #15, mostly experience.

    Strongest

    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.7)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4)

    1.20 points behind #15 (Thomas ArnoldAntoineBeller Burns): Experience −1.2.

  17. No change

    Bryan D Hull

    Bush Ross, P.A. · Tampa, FL

    Verified
    • 20 years experience
    • Appellate
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #17?

    Ranks #17 with 78.00: strongest in Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.7)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4)
  18. No change

    Ezequiel Lugo

    Banker Lopez Gassler P.A. · Tampa, FL

    Verified
    • 19 years experience
    • Appellate
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #18?

    Ranks #18 with 75.40: strongest in Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Reputation (4/20). 2.60 points behind #17, mostly data quality.

    Strongest

    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 15)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4)

    2.60 points behind #17 (Bryan D Hull): Data quality −1.4, Experience −1.2.

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

  19. No change

    Jennifer Erin Jones

    McIntyre Thanasides Bringgold Elliott Gr · Tampa, FL

    Verified
    • 17 years experience
    • Appellate
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #19?

    Ranks #19 with 74.40: strongest in Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (4/20) and Experience (20.4/30). 1.00 points behind #18, mostly experience.

    Strongest

    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.7)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4)
    • Experience 20.4/30 (ranking avg 24.5)

    1.00 points behind #18 (Ezequiel Lugo): Experience −2.4.

  20. No change

    Courtney Lynne Fernald

    Older Lundy Koch & Martino · Tampa, FL

    Verified
    • 18 years experience
    • Appellate
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #20?

    Ranks #20 with 74.20: strongest in Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Reputation (4/20) and Experience (21.6/30). 0.20 points behind #19, mostly data quality.

    Strongest

    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 15)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4)
    • Experience 21.6/30 (ranking avg 24.5)

    0.20 points behind #19 (Jennifer Erin Jones): Data quality −1.4.

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

  21. No change

    Thomas J Seider “Tom”

    Brannock Berman & Seider · Tampa, FL

    Verified
    • 16 years experience
    • Appellate
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #21?

    Ranks #21 with 73.20: strongest in Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (4/20) and Experience (19.2/30). 1.00 points behind #20, mostly experience.

    Strongest

    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.7)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4)
    • Experience 19.2/30 (ranking avg 24.5)

    1.00 points behind #20 (Courtney Lynne Fernald): Experience −2.4.

  22. No change

    Brent G Steinberg

    Swope, Rodante, Newsome & Steinberg · Tampa, FL

    Verified
    • 16 years experience
    • Appellate
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #22?

    Ranks #22 with 73.20: strongest in Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (4/20) and Experience (19.2/30).

    Strongest

    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.7)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4)
    • Experience 19.2/30 (ranking avg 24.5)
  23. No change

    Mihaela Cabulea

    Independent practice · Tampa, FL

    Verified
    • 17 years experience
    • Appellate
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #23?

    Ranks #23 with 73.00: strongest in Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Reputation (4/20) and Experience (20.4/30). 0.20 points behind #22, mostly data quality.

    Strongest

    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 15)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4)
    • Experience 20.4/30 (ranking avg 24.5)

    0.20 points behind #22 (Brent G Steinberg): Data quality −1.4.

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

  24. No change

    Patrick Michael Chidnese

    Independent practice · Tampa, FL

    Verified
    • 15 years experience
    • Appellate
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #24?

    Ranks #24 with 72.00: strongest in Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (4/20) and Experience (18/30). 1.00 points behind #23, mostly experience.

    Strongest

    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.7)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4)
    • Experience 18/30 (ranking avg 24.5)

    1.00 points behind #23 (Mihaela Cabulea): Experience −2.4.

  25. No change

    Joseph T Eagleton “Joe”

    Brannock Berman & Seider · Tampa, FL

    Verified
    • 14 years experience
    • Appellate
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #25?

    Ranks #25 with 70.80: strongest in Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (4/20) and Experience (16.8/30). 1.20 points behind #24, mostly experience.

    Strongest

    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.7)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4)
    • Experience 16.8/30 (ranking avg 24.5)

    1.20 points behind #24 (Patrick Michael Chidnese): Experience −1.2.

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 · 25 profile pages269 facts for 25 lawyers

Appellate market in Tampa

LexRanked tracks 29 lawyers and 8 law firms in appellate law in Tampa, Florida. 29 of the lawyers have verified professional data. Data verified October 22, 2026.

Lawyers
29
Law firms
8
Verified professional data
29 of 29
Average rating
Withheldtoo few sourced ratings
Median review count
Withheldtoo few sourced counts
Median experience
21 years29 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 Tampa

What sets these Tampa lawyers apart

All 25 lawyers in this ranking are Board Certified in Appellate Practice by The Florida Bar, which only about one in twenty Florida lawyers achieves in any field. Florida Bar board certification requires at least five years of practice, substantial involvement in the field, peer review by other lawyers and judges, continuing legal education and a written exam, and it must be renewed every five years. The figures below come from each lawyer's Florida Bar profile.

Fact about the 25 ranked lawyers Figure
Board Certified in Appellate Practice 25 of 25
Years in practice 14 to 47 (median 26)
Languages besides English French (1)
License status with The Florida Bar Eligible to practice, verified for every lawyer
Most common law school Stetson University College of Law (8 lawyers)

Who is included in this ranking?

Lawyers eligible to practice in Florida, with a Tampa office address and appellate as a practice area on record. It compares 25 appellate lawyers, using only facts with a cited source. How we rank.

Florida rules to know

A notice of appeal must be filed within 30 days of the order being appealed, and Florida's six district courts of appeal hear most appeals from the trial courts.

Rule What it means
Notice of appeal Filed with the clerk of the lower tribunal within 30 days of rendition of the order (Fla. R. App. P. 9.110(b))
Initial brief Served within 70 days of filing the notice of appeal (Rule 9.110(f))
Answer and reply briefs Answer brief 30 days after the initial brief; reply brief 30 days after the answer brief (Rule 9.210(g))
Rehearing Motion for rehearing or clarification within 15 days of the court's decision (Rule 9.330(a))
Florida Supreme Court Discretionary review is invoked by a notice filed within 30 days of the district court's decision (Rule 9.120(b))
Appellate courts Six district courts of appeal, each covering contiguous judicial circuits (Fla. Stat. § 35.01)
Court Where cases are heard
State court circuit Hillsborough County is in Florida's Thirteenth 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 appeal a judgment in Florida?

30 days from rendition of the final order. The notice of appeal is filed with the clerk of the court that entered the order, under Rule 9.110(b) of the Florida Rules of Appellate Procedure. The deadline is jurisdictional, so a late notice usually ends the appeal.

Can I appeal an order before the case is over?

Only certain nonfinal orders can be appealed right away, such as orders on venue, injunctions and personal jurisdiction, listed in Rule 9.130. Other orders are usually reviewed after the final judgment.

Which court hears my appeal?

Most appeals from the circuit courts go to one of Florida's six district courts of appeal, determined by the circuit where the case was heard. The Florida Supreme Court reviews only certain cases.

Why hire a separate appellate lawyer?

An appeal is decided on the written record and the briefs, not on new evidence. Appellate lawyers focus on legal research, brief writing and oral argument, and The Florida Bar certifies lawyers in Appellate Practice after peer review and an exam.

What does Board Certified in Appellate Practice mean?

It is a credential from The Florida Bar for lawyers with substantial experience in the field who have passed peer review and a written exam. 25 of the 25 lawyers in this ranking hold it; 4.9% of Florida lawyers hold a board certification in any field.

Which court handles cases in Tampa?

State court cases in Hillsborough County are heard in Florida's Thirteenth Judicial Circuit.

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?

25 of the 25 ranked lawyers have fully verified profiles: Ceci Culpepper Berman, Steven L Brannock “Steve”, David Michael Caldevilla, Matthew John Conigliaro and Duane Allan Daiker and others.

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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