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Top-Ranked Construction Lawyers in Tampa, Florida

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

Summary

As of October 31, 2026, the top-ranked construction lawyers in Tampa, Florida are Conrad Jorge Lazo (LexRank 84.00), Denise M. Anderson (84.00) and Michael R Carey (84.00).

This ranking lists 25 construction 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 Construction Law by The Florida Bar, a credential held by 4.9% of Florida lawyers in any field. Their experience ranges from 24 to 47 years in practice. 1 of the 25 lists Spanish on their Florida Bar profile.

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

    Conrad Jorge Lazo

    Independent practice · Tampa, FL

    Verified
    • 33 years experience
    • Construction
    • 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 22.9)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.6)

    Held back by

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

    Denise M. Anderson

    Independent practice · Tampa, FL

    Verified
    • 31 years experience
    • Construction
    • 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 22.9)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.6)

    Held back by

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

    Michael R Carey

    Carey O’Malley Whitaker Mueller · Tampa, FL

    Verified
    • 47 years experience
    • Construction
    • 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 22.9)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.6)

    Held back by

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

    Trenton Hugh Cotney

    Independent practice · Tampa, FL

    Verified
    • 27 years experience
    • Construction
    • 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 22.9)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.6)

    Held back by

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

    Kenneth Michael Curtin

    Independent practice · Tampa, FL

    Verified
    • 30 years experience
    • Construction
    • 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 22.9)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.6)

    Held back by

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

    V James Dickson “Jim Dickson”

    Independent practice · Tampa, FL

    Verified
    • 45 years experience
    • Construction
    • 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 22.9)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.6)

    Held back by

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

    Bret Michael Feldman

    Independent practice · Tampa, FL

    Verified
    • 26 years experience
    • Construction
    • 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 22.9)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.6)

    Held back by

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

    Timothy Charles Ford “Tim”

    Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP · Tampa, FL

    Verified
    • 27 years experience
    • Construction
    • 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 22.9)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.6)

    Held back by

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

    Charles David Harper

    Independent practice · Tampa, FL

    Verified
    • 30 years experience
    • Construction
    • 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 22.9)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.6)

    Held back by

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

    Randall Patrick Mueller

    Carey O’Malley Whitaker Mueller · Tampa, FL

    Verified
    • 35 years experience
    • Construction
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #10?

    Ranks #10 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 22.9)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.6)

    Held back by

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

    Brian Keith Oblow

    Independent practice · Tampa, FL

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

    Ranks #11 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 22.9)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.6)

    Held back by

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

    Patrick John Poff “Pat”

    Trenam Law · Tampa, FL

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

    Ranks #12 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 22.9)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.6)

    Held back by

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

    Hardy L Roberts III

    Carey O’Malley Whitaker Mueller · Tampa, FL

    Verified
    • 31 years experience
    • Construction
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #13?

    Ranks #13 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 22.9)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.6)

    Held back by

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

    John Sebastian Vento

    Trenam Law · Tampa, FL

    Verified
    • 44 years experience
    • Construction
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #14?

    Ranks #14 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 22.9)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.6)

    Held back by

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

    Adam Marc Wolfe

    Independent practice · Tampa, FL

    Verified
    • 29 years experience
    • Construction
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #15?

    Ranks #15 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 22.9)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.6)

    Held back by

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

    Amanda Bennett Buffinton

    Independent practice · Tampa, FL

    Verified
    • 24 years experience
    • Construction
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #16?

    Ranks #16 with 82.80: strongest in Experience (28.8/30) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (4/20). 1.20 points behind #15, mostly experience.

    Strongest

    • Experience 28.8/30 (ranking avg 22.9)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.6)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4)

    1.20 points behind #15 (Adam Marc Wolfe): Experience −1.2.

  17. No change

    Kellie A. Caggiano

    Independent practice · Tampa, FL

    Verified
    • 24 years experience
    • Construction
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #17?

    Ranks #17 with 82.80: strongest in Experience (28.8/30) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 28.8/30 (ranking avg 22.9)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.6)

    Held back by

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

    Michele Leo Hintson

    Independent practice · Tampa, FL

    Verified
    • 24 years experience
    • Construction
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #18?

    Ranks #18 with 82.80: strongest in Experience (28.8/30) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 28.8/30 (ranking avg 22.9)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.6)

    Held back by

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

    Rocco Cafaro

    Independent practice · Tampa, FL

    Verified
    • 25 years experience
    • Construction
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #19?

    Ranks #19 with 82.60: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Reputation (4/20). 0.20 points behind #18, mostly data quality.

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 22.9)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.8)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4)

    0.20 points behind #18 (Michele Leo Hintson): Data quality −1.4.

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

  20. No change

    Matthew R. Cogburn

    Independent practice · Tampa, FL

    Verified
    • 26 years experience
    • Construction
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #20?

    Ranks #20 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 22.9)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.8)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4)

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

  21. No change

    John Harrison Rains III

    Independent practice · Tampa, FL

    Verified
    • 47 years experience
    • Construction
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #21?

    Ranks #21 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 22.9)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.8)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4)

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

  22. No change

    John Jude Thresher

    Independent practice · Tampa, FL

    Verified
    • 25 years experience
    • Construction
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #22?

    Ranks #22 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 22.9)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.8)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4)

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

  23. No change

    Timothy Daniel Woodward

    Independent practice · Tampa, FL

    Verified
    • 25 years experience
    • Construction
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #23?

    Ranks #23 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 22.9)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.8)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4)

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

  24. No change

    Luis Prats

    Independent practice · Tampa, FL

    Verified
    • 44 years experience
    • Construction
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #24?

    Ranks #24 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 22.9)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.8)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4)

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

  25. No change

    David Allan Zulian

    Independent practice · Tampa, FL

    Verified
    • 39 years experience
    • Construction
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #25?

    Ranks #25 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 22.9)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.8)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4)

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

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

Construction market in Tampa

LexRanked tracks 63 lawyers and 7 law firms in construction law in Tampa, Florida. 63 of the lawyers have verified professional data. Data verified October 22, 2026.

Lawyers
63
Law firms
7
Verified professional data
63 of 63
Average rating
Withheldtoo few sourced ratings
Median review count
Withheldtoo few sourced counts
Median experience
21 years63 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 Construction Law 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 Construction Law 25 of 25
Years in practice 24 to 47 (median 30)
Languages besides English Spanish (1)
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 construction as a practice area on record. It compares 25 construction lawyers, using only facts with a cited source. How we rank.

Florida rules to know

Florida's Construction Lien Law sets strict deadlines for notices and liens, and a construction defect claim needs written notice to the contractor before any lawsuit.

Rule What it means
Notice to owner Subcontractors and suppliers without a contract with the owner must serve it within 45 days of starting work (Fla. Stat. § 713.06(2)(a))
Claim of lien Recorded no later than 90 days after the final furnishing of labor, services or materials (§ 713.08(5))
Enforcing a lien A lawsuit must be filed within 1 year after the claim of lien is recorded, or the lien expires (§ 713.22(1))
Defect claims: presuit notice Written notice of claim at least 60 days before suing, or 120 days for an association of more than 20 parcels (§ 558.004)
Defect claims: deadlines 4 years, generally from the certificate of occupancy or completion, and never more than 7 years for latent defects (§ 95.11(3)(b))
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 does a contractor have to file a lien in Florida?

A claim of lien must be recorded no later than 90 days after the lienor's final furnishing of labor, services or materials, and a lawsuit to enforce it must follow within 1 year of recording.

Do I have to notify the contractor before suing over a construction defect?

Yes. Under chapter 558 you must serve a written notice of claim at least 60 days before filing suit, or 120 days for an association representing more than 20 parcels, giving the contractor a chance to inspect and offer to repair.

How long do I have to sue for a construction defect in Florida?

Generally 4 years, counted from the certificate of occupancy, certificate of completion or abandonment of construction. For latent defects the time runs from discovery, but no action may be brought more than 7 years after those dates.

Who certifies construction lawyers in Florida?

The Florida Bar certifies lawyers in Construction Law after at least five years of practice, peer review and a written exam.

What does Board Certified in Construction Law 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.

Are there Spanish-speaking construction lawyers in Tampa?

Yes. 1 of the 25 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?

25 of the 25 ranked lawyers have fully verified profiles: Conrad Jorge Lazo, Denise M. Anderson, Michael R Carey, Trenton Hugh Cotney and Kenneth Michael Curtin 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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