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Top-Ranked Business Lawyers in Tampa, Florida

Updated Methodology LexRank v1.222 lawyers rankedReviewed by LexRanked editorial team

Summary

As of November 1, 2026, the top-ranked business lawyers in Tampa, Florida are George Donovan Conwell Jr. (LexRank 92.00), Stefan Vaughn Stein (92.00) and Murray Bruce Silverstein (88.00).

This ranking lists 22 business lawyers in Tampa, Florida, in order of their LexRank score, calculated from their Florida Bar records and other cited sources. All 22 lawyers in this ranking are Board Certified in Business Litigation by The Florida Bar, a credential held by 4.9% of Florida lawyers in any field. Their experience ranges from 15 to 51 years in practice.

Lawyers ranked
22
Fully verified
22 of 22

The ranking

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

  1. No change

    George Donovan Conwell Jr.

    Independent practice · Tampa, FL

    Verified
    • 42 years experience
    • Business
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #1?

    Ranks #1 with 92.00: strongest in Reputation (12/20) and Experience (30/30).

    Strongest

    • Reputation 12/20 (ranking avg 5.5)
    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 27.7)
  2. No change

    Stefan Vaughn Stein

    Independent practice · Tampa, FL

    Verified
    • 46 years experience
    • Business
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #2?

    Ranks #2 with 92.00: strongest in Reputation (12/20) and Experience (30/30).

    Strongest

    • Reputation 12/20 (ranking avg 5.5)
    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 27.7)
  3. No change

    Murray Bruce Silverstein

    STINSON LLP · Tampa, FL

    Verified
    • 43 years experience
    • Business
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #3?

    Ranks #3 with 88.00: strongest in Reputation (8/20) and Experience (30/30). 4.00 points behind #2, mostly reputation.

    Strongest

    • Reputation 8/20 (ranking avg 5.5)
    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 27.7)

    4.00 points behind #2 (Stefan Vaughn Stein): Reputation −4.

  4. No change

    Shane Brady Vogt

    Independent practice · Tampa, FL

    Verified
    • 26 years experience
    • Business
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #4?

    Ranks #4 with 88.00: strongest in Reputation (8/20) and Experience (30/30).

    Strongest

    • Reputation 8/20 (ranking avg 5.5)
    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 27.7)
  5. No change

    Scott Alan McLaren

    Independent practice · Tampa, FL

    Verified
    • 25 years experience
    • Business
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #5?

    Ranks #5 with 86.60: strongest in Reputation (8/20) and Experience (30/30). 1.40 points behind #4, mostly data quality.

    Strongest

    • Reputation 8/20 (ranking avg 5.5)
    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 27.7)

    1.40 points behind #4 (Shane Brady Vogt): Data quality −1.4.

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

  6. No change

    Peter M Cardillo

    Independent practice · Tampa, FL

    Verified
    • 43 years experience
    • Business
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #6?

    Ranks #6 with 84.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Reputation (4/20). 2.60 points behind #5, mostly reputation.

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 27.7)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.3)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 5.5)

    2.60 points behind #5 (Scott Alan McLaren): Reputation −4.

  7. No change

    Scott Carter Ilgenfritz

    Independent practice · Tampa, FL

    Verified
    • 42 years experience
    • Business
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #7?

    Ranks #7 with 84.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 27.7)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.3)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 5.5)
  8. No change

    Bradford Dean Kimbro

    Independent practice · Tampa, FL

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

    Ranks #8 with 84.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 27.7)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.3)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 5.5)
  9. No change

    Eules A Mills Jr.

    Mills Law Group · Tampa, FL

    Verified
    • 44 years experience
    • Business
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #9?

    Ranks #9 with 84.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 27.7)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.3)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 5.5)
  10. No change

    Gary Michael Schaaf

    Independent practice · Tampa, FL

    Verified
    • 38 years experience
    • Business
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #10?

    Ranks #10 with 84.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 27.7)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.3)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 5.5)
  11. No change

    Bart Richard Valdes

    Independent practice · Tampa, FL

    Verified
    • 26 years experience
    • Business
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #11?

    Ranks #11 with 84.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 27.7)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.3)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 5.5)
  12. No change

    Mark Matthew Wall

    Independent practice · Tampa, FL

    Verified
    • 31 years experience
    • Business
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #12?

    Ranks #12 with 84.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 27.7)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.3)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 5.5)
  13. No change

    Charles Franklin Ketchey Jr.

    Independent practice · Tampa, FL

    Verified
    • 51 years experience
    • Business
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #13?

    Ranks #13 with 82.85: strongest in Reputation (8/20) and Experience (30/30). 1.15 points behind #12, mostly professional credentials.

    Strongest

    • Reputation 8/20 (ranking avg 5.5)
    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 27.7)

    1.15 points behind #12 (Mark Matthew Wall): Professional credentials −3.8, Data quality −1.4.

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

  14. No change

    John Calhoun Bales

    Independent practice · Tampa, FL

    Verified
    • 43 years experience
    • Business
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #14?

    Ranks #14 with 82.60: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Reputation (4/20). 0.25 points behind #13, mostly reputation.

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 27.7)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.3)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 5.5)

    0.25 points behind #13 (Charles Franklin Ketchey Jr.): Reputation −4.

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

  15. No change

    William J Schifino Jr.

    Independent practice · Tampa, FL

    Verified
    • 40 years experience
    • Business
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #15?

    Ranks #15 with 82.60: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 27.7)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.3)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 5.5)

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

  16. No change

    Jason Henry Baruch

    Independent practice · Tampa, FL

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

    Ranks #16 with 79.20: strongest in Professional credentials (15/15) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (4/20). 3.40 points behind #15, mostly experience.

    Strongest

    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.3)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.6)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 5.5)

    3.40 points behind #15 (William J Schifino Jr.): Experience −4.8.

  17. No change

    David Dominick Ferrentino

    Independent practice · Tampa, FL

    Verified
    • 34 years experience
    • Business
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #17?

    Ranks #17 with 78.85: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Local relevance (5/5); held back by Reputation (4/20). 0.35 points behind #16, mostly professional credentials.

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 27.7)
    • Local relevance 5/5 (ranking avg 5)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 5.5)

    0.35 points behind #16 (Jason Henry Baruch): Professional credentials −3.8, Data quality −1.4.

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

  18. No change

    Kevin Patrick McCoy

    Independent practice · Tampa, FL

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

    Ranks #18 with 76.80: strongest in Professional credentials (15/15) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (4/20). 2.05 points behind #17, mostly experience.

    Strongest

    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.3)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.6)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 5.5)

    2.05 points behind #17 (David Dominick Ferrentino): Experience −7.2.

  19. No change

    Eric S Koenig

    Independent practice · Tampa, FL

    Verified
    • 20 years experience
    • Business
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #19?

    Ranks #19 with 76.60: strongest in Professional credentials (15/15) and Local relevance (5/5); held back by Reputation (4/20). 0.20 points behind #18, mostly data quality.

    Strongest

    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.3)
    • Local relevance 5/5 (ranking avg 5)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 5.5)

    0.20 points behind #18 (Kevin Patrick McCoy): Data quality −1.4.

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

  20. No change

    Shane Timothy Costello

    Independent practice · Tampa, FL

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

    Ranks #20 with 74.40: strongest in Professional credentials (15/15) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (4/20) and Experience (20.4/30). 2.20 points behind #19, mostly experience.

    Strongest

    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.3)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.6)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 5.5)
    • Experience 20.4/30 (ranking avg 27.7)

    2.20 points behind #19 (Eric S Koenig): Experience −3.6.

  21. No change

    Catherine Marie DiPaolo

    Trenam Law · Tampa, FL

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

    Ranks #21 with 69.45: strongest in Data quality (10/10) and Local relevance (5/5); held back by Reputation (4/20) and Experience (19.2/30). 4.95 points behind #20, mostly professional credentials.

    Strongest

    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.6)
    • Local relevance 5/5 (ranking avg 5)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 5.5)
    • Experience 19.2/30 (ranking avg 27.7)

    4.95 points behind #20 (Shane Timothy Costello): Professional credentials −3.8, Experience −1.2.

  22. No change

    Michael Anthony Kolcun Jr.

    Independent practice · Tampa, FL

    Verified
    • 15 years experience
    • Business
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #22?

    Ranks #22 with 68.25: strongest in Data quality (10/10) and Local relevance (5/5); held back by Reputation (4/20) and Experience (18/30). 1.20 points behind #21, mostly experience.

    Strongest

    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.6)
    • Local relevance 5/5 (ranking avg 5)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 5.5)
    • Experience 18/30 (ranking avg 27.7)

    1.20 points behind #21 (Catherine Marie DiPaolo): 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 · 22 profile pages254 facts for 22 lawyers

Business market in Tampa

LexRanked tracks 22 lawyers and 3 law firms in business law in Tampa, Florida. 22 of the lawyers have verified professional data. Data verified October 30, 2026.

Lawyers
22
Law firms
3
Verified professional data
22 of 22
Average rating
Withheldtoo few sourced ratings
Median review count
Withheldtoo few sourced counts
Median experience
34 years22 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 22 lawyers in this ranking are Board Certified in Business Litigation 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 22 ranked lawyers Figure
Board Certified in Business Litigation 22 of 22
Years in practice 15 to 51 (median 34)
License status with The Florida Bar Eligible to practice, verified for every lawyer
Most common law school University of Florida, Fredric G. Levin College of Law (7 lawyers)

Who is included in this ranking?

Lawyers eligible to practice in Florida, with a Tampa office address and business as a practice area on record. It compares 22 business lawyers, using only facts with a cited source. How we rank.

Florida rules to know

Florida gives five years to sue on a written contract and four on an oral one.

Rule What it means
Written contract 5 years to sue (Fla. Stat. § 95.11(2)(b))
Oral contract 4 years to sue (§ 95.11(3))
Deceptive trade practices The Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act (ch. 501, part II)
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.

Further reading

Sources for the rules above

Frequently asked questions

How long do I have to sue for breach of contract in Florida?

5 years for a written contract and 4 years for an oral one.

What does a business litigation lawyer do?

Represents companies and owners in disputes such as contract breaches, partnership and shareholder conflicts and unfair competition, in court or arbitration.

What does Board Certified in Business Litigation 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. 22 of the 22 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?

22 of the 22 ranked lawyers have fully verified profiles: George Donovan Conwell Jr., Stefan Vaughn Stein, Murray Bruce Silverstein, Shane Brady Vogt and Scott Alan McLaren 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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