Independent lawyer rankingsEvery fact traceable to a sourcePayment never changes a ranking

Summary

As of November 1, 2026, the top-ranked consumer protection lawyers in Tampa, Florida are Mary Elizabeth Haberland (LexRank 80.00), Richard Polk Lawson (78.60) and Jason Robert Hull (75.00).

This ranking lists 25 consumer protection lawyers in Tampa, Florida, in order of their LexRank score, calculated from their Florida Bar records and other cited sources. Their experience ranges from 5 to 40 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

    Mary Elizabeth Haberland

    Independent practice · Tampa, FL

    Verified
    • 40 years experience
    • Consumer Protection
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #1?

    Ranks #1 with 80.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Practice-area relevance (20/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 17.1)
    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 18.9)
  2. No change

    Richard Polk Lawson

    Independent practice · Tampa, FL

    Verified
    • 27 years experience
    • Consumer Protection
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #2?

    Ranks #2 with 78.60: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Practice-area relevance (20/20). 1.40 points behind #1, mostly data quality.

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 17.1)
    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 18.9)

    1.40 points behind #1 (Mary Elizabeth Haberland): Data quality −1.4.

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

  3. No change

    Jason Robert Hull

    Independent practice · Tampa, FL

    Verified
    • 26 years experience
    • Consumer Protection · Insurance
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #3?

    Ranks #3 with 75.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Data quality (10/10). 3.60 points behind #2, mostly practice-area relevance.

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 17.1)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.6)

    3.60 points behind #2 (Richard Polk Lawson): Practice-area relevance −5.

  4. No change

    Gus Michael Centrone

    Independent practice · Tampa, FL

    Verified
    • 20 years experience
    • Consumer Protection
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #4?

    Ranks #4 with 74.00: strongest in Experience (24/30) and Practice-area relevance (20/20). 1.00 points behind #3, mostly experience.

    Strongest

    • Experience 24/30 (ranking avg 17.1)
    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 18.9)

    1.00 points behind #3 (Jason Robert Hull): Experience −6.

  5. No change

    Jeanne Michelle Cremeens

    Independent practice · Tampa, FL

    Verified
    • 20 years experience
    • Consumer Protection
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #5?

    Ranks #5 with 74.00: strongest in Experience (24/30) and Practice-area relevance (20/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 24/30 (ranking avg 17.1)
    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 18.9)
  6. No change

    Anthony John Steele “Tony”

    Independent practice · Tampa, FL

    Verified
    • 30 years experience
    • Consumer Protection · Insurance
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #6?

    Ranks #6 with 73.60: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Professional credentials (15/15). 0.40 points behind #5, mostly practice-area relevance.

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 17.1)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.9)

    0.40 points behind #5 (Jeanne Michelle Cremeens): Practice-area relevance −5, Data quality −1.4.

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

  7. No change

    Joseph Sebastian Thomas “Joseph”

    Independent practice · Tampa, FL

    Verified
    • 19 years experience
    • Consumer Protection
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #7?

    Ranks #7 with 72.80: strongest in Experience (22.8/30) and Practice-area relevance (20/20). 0.80 points behind #6, mostly experience.

    Strongest

    • Experience 22.8/30 (ranking avg 17.1)
    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 18.9)

    0.80 points behind #6 (Anthony John Steele “Tony”): Experience −7.2.

  8. No change

    Latasha Chanell Scott “Lordes”

    Independent practice · Tampa, FL

    Verified
    • 18 years experience
    • Consumer Protection
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #8?

    Ranks #8 with 71.60: strongest in Experience (21.6/30) and Practice-area relevance (20/20). 1.20 points behind #7, mostly experience.

    Strongest

    • Experience 21.6/30 (ranking avg 17.1)
    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 18.9)

    1.20 points behind #7 (Joseph Sebastian Thomas “Joseph”): Experience −1.2.

  9. No change

    Paul Jason Phipps “Paul”

    Independent practice · Tampa, FL

    Verified
    • 17 years experience
    • Consumer Protection
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #9?

    Ranks #9 with 70.40: strongest in Experience (20.4/30) and Practice-area relevance (20/20). 1.20 points behind #8, mostly experience.

    Strongest

    • Experience 20.4/30 (ranking avg 17.1)
    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 18.9)

    1.20 points behind #8 (Latasha Chanell Scott “Lordes”): Experience −1.2.

  10. No change

    Sara Louise Evans

    Independent practice · Tampa, FL

    Verified
    • 17 years experience
    • Consumer Protection
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #10?

    Ranks #10 with 69.00: strongest in Experience (20.4/30) and Practice-area relevance (20/20). 1.40 points behind #9, mostly data quality.

    Strongest

    • Experience 20.4/30 (ranking avg 17.1)
    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 18.9)

    1.40 points behind #9 (Paul Jason Phipps “Paul”): Data quality −1.4.

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

  11. No change

    Scott Craig Florin “Scott”

    Independent practice · Tampa, FL

    Verified
    • 15 years experience
    • Consumer Protection
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #11?

    Ranks #11 with 68.00: strongest in Practice-area relevance (20/20) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Experience (18/30). 1.00 points behind #10, mostly experience.

    Strongest

    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 18.9)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.6)

    Held back by

    • Experience 18/30 (ranking avg 17.1)

    1.00 points behind #10 (Sara Louise Evans): Experience −2.4.

  12. No change

    Frank H Kerney III

    Independent practice · Tampa, FL

    Verified
    • 15 years experience
    • Consumer Protection
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #12?

    Ranks #12 with 68.00: strongest in Practice-area relevance (20/20) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Experience (18/30).

    Strongest

    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 18.9)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.6)

    Held back by

    • Experience 18/30 (ranking avg 17.1)
  13. No change

    John C Distasio

    Independent practice · Tampa, FL

    Verified
    • 14 years experience
    • Consumer Protection
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #13?

    Ranks #13 with 66.80: strongest in Practice-area relevance (20/20) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Experience (16.8/30). 1.20 points behind #12, mostly experience.

    Strongest

    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 18.9)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.6)

    Held back by

    • Experience 16.8/30 (ranking avg 17.1)

    1.20 points behind #12 (Frank H Kerney III): Experience −1.2.

  14. No change

    Michael Paul Schuette Jr.

    Independent practice · Tampa, FL

    Verified
    • 13 years experience
    • Consumer Protection
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #14?

    Ranks #14 with 65.60: strongest in Practice-area relevance (20/20) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Experience (15.6/30). 1.20 points behind #13, mostly experience.

    Strongest

    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 18.9)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.6)

    Held back by

    • Experience 15.6/30 (ranking avg 17.1)

    1.20 points behind #13 (John C Distasio): Experience −1.2.

  15. No change

    David Patrick Mitchell

    Independent practice · Tampa, FL

    Verified
    • 17 years experience
    • Consumer Protection · Insurance
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #15?

    Ranks #15 with 65.40: strongest in Experience (20.4/30) and Data quality (10/10). 0.20 points behind #14, mostly practice-area relevance.

    Strongest

    • Experience 20.4/30 (ranking avg 17.1)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.6)

    0.20 points behind #14 (Michael Paul Schuette Jr.): Practice-area relevance −5.

  16. No change

    Preston Christopher Davis

    Independent practice · Tampa, FL

    Verified
    • 14 years experience
    • Consumer Protection
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #16?

    Ranks #16 with 65.40: strongest in Practice-area relevance (20/20) and Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Experience (16.8/30). 0.00 points behind #15, mostly experience.

    Strongest

    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 18.9)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.9)

    Held back by

    • Experience 16.8/30 (ranking avg 17.1)

    0.00 points behind #15 (David Patrick Mitchell): Experience −3.6, Data quality −1.4.

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

  17. No change

    Blake James Fredrickson

    Independent practice · Tampa, FL

    Verified
    • 15 years experience
    • Consumer Protection
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #17?

    Ranks #17 with 64.25: strongest in Practice-area relevance (20/20) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Experience (18/30). 1.15 points behind #16, mostly professional credentials.

    Strongest

    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 18.9)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.6)

    Held back by

    • Experience 18/30 (ranking avg 17.1)

    1.15 points behind #16 (Preston Christopher Davis): Professional credentials −3.8.

  18. No change

    Bryan J. Geiger

    Independent practice · Tampa, FL

    Verified
    • 11 years experience
    • Consumer Protection
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #18?

    Ranks #18 with 63.20: strongest in Practice-area relevance (20/20) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Experience (13.2/30). 1.05 points behind #17, mostly experience.

    Strongest

    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 18.9)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.6)

    Held back by

    • Experience 13.2/30 (ranking avg 17.1)

    1.05 points behind #17 (Blake James Fredrickson): Experience −4.8.

  19. No change

    Ryan Phillip Valdes

    Independent practice · Tampa, FL

    Verified
    • 12 years experience
    • Consumer Protection
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #19?

    Ranks #19 with 63.00: strongest in Practice-area relevance (20/20) and Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Experience (14.4/30). 0.20 points behind #18, mostly data quality.

    Strongest

    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 18.9)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.9)

    Held back by

    • Experience 14.4/30 (ranking avg 17.1)

    0.20 points behind #18 (Bryan J. Geiger): Data quality −1.4.

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

  20. No change

    Thomas Martin Bonan

    Independent practice · Tampa, FL

    Verified
    • 11 years experience
    • Consumer Protection
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #20?

    Ranks #20 with 61.80: strongest in Practice-area relevance (20/20) and Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Experience (13.2/30). 1.20 points behind #19, mostly experience.

    Strongest

    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 18.9)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.9)

    Held back by

    • Experience 13.2/30 (ranking avg 17.1)

    1.20 points behind #19 (Ryan Phillip Valdes): Experience −1.2.

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

  21. No change

    Benjamin W. Raslavich

    Independent practice · Tampa, FL

    Verified
    • 13 years experience
    • Consumer Protection · Insurance
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #21?

    Ranks #21 with 60.60: strongest in Data quality (10/10) and Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Experience (15.6/30). 1.20 points behind #20, mostly practice-area relevance.

    Strongest

    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.6)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.9)

    Held back by

    • Experience 15.6/30 (ranking avg 17.1)

    1.20 points behind #20 (Thomas Martin Bonan): Practice-area relevance −5.

  22. No change

    Christopher W. Mathena

    Independent practice · Tampa, FL

    Verified
    • 11 years experience
    • Consumer Protection · Insurance
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #22?

    Ranks #22 with 58.20: strongest in Data quality (10/10) and Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Experience (13.2/30). 2.40 points behind #21, mostly experience.

    Strongest

    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.6)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.9)

    Held back by

    • Experience 13.2/30 (ranking avg 17.1)

    2.40 points behind #21 (Benjamin W. Raslavich): Experience −2.4.

  23. No change

    Megan Amanda Rosenberg

    Independent practice · Tampa, FL

    Verified
    • 8 years experience
    • Consumer Protection
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #23?

    Ranks #23 with 58.20: strongest in Practice-area relevance (20/20) and Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Experience (9.6/30). 0.00 points behind #22, mostly experience.

    Strongest

    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 18.9)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.9)

    Held back by

    • Experience 9.6/30 (ranking avg 17.1)

    0.00 points behind #22 (Christopher W. Mathena): Experience −3.6, Data quality −1.4.

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

  24. No change

    Alejandro Jesus Mendez

    Independent practice · Tampa, FL

    Verified
    • 5 years experience
    • Consumer Protection
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #24?

    Ranks #24 with 56.00: strongest in Practice-area relevance (20/20) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Experience (6/30). 2.20 points behind #23, mostly experience.

    Strongest

    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 18.9)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.6)

    Held back by

    • Experience 6/30 (ranking avg 17.1)

    2.20 points behind #23 (Megan Amanda Rosenberg): Experience −3.6.

  25. No change

    Patrick Allen Brennan

    Independent practice · Tampa, FL

    Verified
    • 9 years experience
    • Consumer Protection · Insurance
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #25?

    Ranks #25 with 54.40: strongest in Professional credentials (15/15) and Local relevance (5/5); held back by Experience (10.8/30). 1.60 points behind #24, mostly practice-area relevance.

    Strongest

    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.9)
    • Local relevance 5/5 (ranking avg 5)

    Held back by

    • Experience 10.8/30 (ranking avg 17.1)

    1.60 points behind #24 (Alejandro Jesus Mendez): Practice-area relevance −5, Data quality −1.4.

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

Consumer Protection market in Tampa

LexRanked tracks 28 lawyers in consumer protection law in Tampa, Florida. 28 of the lawyers have verified professional data. Data verified October 22, 2026.

Lawyers
28
Law firms
0
Verified professional data
28 of 28
Average rating
Withheldtoo few sourced ratings
Median review count
Withheldtoo few sourced counts
Median experience
14.5 years28 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

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 25 ranked lawyers Figure
Years in practice 5 to 40 (median 15)
Languages besides English Spanish (1)
License status with The Florida Bar Eligible to practice, verified for every lawyer
Most common law school Stetson University College of Law (11 lawyers)

Who is included in this ranking?

Lawyers eligible to practice in Florida, with a Tampa office address and consumer protection as a practice area on record. It compares 25 consumer protection lawyers, using only facts with a cited source. The Florida Bar does not board-certify lawyers in consumer protection, 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

Florida law lets a consumer harmed by an unfair or deceptive business practice recover actual damages plus attorney fees, and a consumer harassed by a debt collector can recover up to $1,000 in extra statutory damages.

Rule What it means
Unfair and deceptive practices Unfair or deceptive acts in trade or commerce are unlawful under the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act (Fla. Stat. § 501.204)
Consumer remedies A person who suffered a loss may recover actual damages, plus attorney fees and court costs (§ 501.211(2))
Fees both ways The prevailing party may receive reasonable attorney fees and costs from the losing party (§ 501.2105(1))
Debt collection in Florida A debt collector who violates section 559.72 is liable for actual damages, up to $1,000 in statutory damages and attorney fees; suit within 2 years (§ 559.77)
Federal debt collection Up to $1,000 in additional damages for an individual; suit within 1 year (15 U.S.C. § 1692k)
Lemon law After 3 repair attempts for the same defect, the consumer gives the manufacturer written notice and a final chance to repair (§ 681.104(1))
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

What can I recover for a deceptive business practice in Florida?

Actual damages plus attorney fees and court costs (section 501.211(2)). Be aware that the prevailing party may receive fees, so a losing consumer can owe the business its fees (section 501.2105).

What can I do about debt collector harassment?

Under Florida law you can recover actual damages, up to $1,000 in statutory damages and attorney fees, within 2 years (section 559.77). The federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act allows up to $1,000 more within 1 year (15 U.S.C. § 1692k).

When is my car a lemon in Florida?

If the same defect is not fixed after 3 repair attempts, you must notify the manufacturer in writing and give it a final repair attempt; if it still cannot fix the car, it must repurchase or replace it (section 681.104).

How long do I have to sue a debt collector?

2 years under Florida law (section 559.77(4)) and 1 year under federal law (15 U.S.C. § 1692k(d)).

Which court handles cases in Tampa?

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

Are there Spanish-speaking consumer protection 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: Mary Elizabeth Haberland, Richard Polk Lawson, Jason Robert Hull, Gus Michael Centrone and Jeanne Michelle Cremeens and others.

What is the difference between the top two lawyers?

Mary Elizabeth Haberland scores 80.00 and Richard Polk Lawson 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.