Consumer Protection
Top-Ranked Consumer Protection Lawyers in Tampa, Florida
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
- Rank1-No changeMH
Mary Elizabeth Haberland
Independent practice · Tampa, FL
Verified- 40 years experience
- Consumer Protection
- ✓ Bar status verified
80.00LexRankView profileWhy #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)
- Rank2-No changeRL
Richard Polk Lawson
Independent practice · Tampa, FL
Verified- 27 years experience
- Consumer Protection
- ✓ Bar status verified
78.60LexRankView profileWhy #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.
- Rank3-No changeJH
Jason Robert Hull
Independent practice · Tampa, FL
Verified- 26 years experience
- Consumer Protection · Insurance
- ✓ Bar status verified
75.00LexRankView profileWhy #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.
- Rank4-No changeGC
Gus Michael Centrone
Independent practice · Tampa, FL
Verified- 20 years experience
- Consumer Protection
- ✓ Bar status verified
74.00LexRankView profileWhy #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.
- Rank5-No changeJC
Jeanne Michelle Cremeens
Independent practice · Tampa, FL
Verified- 20 years experience
- Consumer Protection
- ✓ Bar status verified
74.00LexRankView profileWhy #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)
- Rank6-No changeAT
Anthony John Steele “Tony”
Independent practice · Tampa, FL
Verified- 30 years experience
- Consumer Protection · Insurance
- ✓ Bar status verified
73.60LexRankView profileWhy #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.
- Rank7-No changeJJ
Joseph Sebastian Thomas “Joseph”
Independent practice · Tampa, FL
Verified- 19 years experience
- Consumer Protection
- ✓ Bar status verified
72.80LexRankView profileWhy #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.
- Rank8-No changeLL
Latasha Chanell Scott “Lordes”
Independent practice · Tampa, FL
Verified- 18 years experience
- Consumer Protection
- ✓ Bar status verified
71.60LexRankView profileWhy #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.
- Rank9-No changePP
Paul Jason Phipps “Paul”
Independent practice · Tampa, FL
Verified- 17 years experience
- Consumer Protection
- ✓ Bar status verified
70.40LexRankView profileWhy #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.
- Rank10-No changeSE
Sara Louise Evans
Independent practice · Tampa, FL
Verified- 17 years experience
- Consumer Protection
- ✓ Bar status verified
69.00LexRankView profileWhy #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.
- Rank11-No changeSS
Scott Craig Florin “Scott”
Independent practice · Tampa, FL
Verified- 15 years experience
- Consumer Protection
- ✓ Bar status verified
68.00LexRankView profileWhy #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.
- Rank12-No changeFI
Frank H Kerney III
Independent practice · Tampa, FL
Verified- 15 years experience
- Consumer Protection
- ✓ Bar status verified
68.00LexRankView profileWhy #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)
- Rank13-No changeJD
John C Distasio
Independent practice · Tampa, FL
Verified- 14 years experience
- Consumer Protection
- ✓ Bar status verified
66.80LexRankView profileWhy #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.
- Rank14-No changeMJ
Michael Paul Schuette Jr.
Independent practice · Tampa, FL
Verified- 13 years experience
- Consumer Protection
- ✓ Bar status verified
65.60LexRankView profileWhy #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.
- Rank15-No changeDM
David Patrick Mitchell
Independent practice · Tampa, FL
Verified- 17 years experience
- Consumer Protection · Insurance
- ✓ Bar status verified
65.40LexRankView profileWhy #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.
- Rank16-No changePD
Preston Christopher Davis
Independent practice · Tampa, FL
Verified- 14 years experience
- Consumer Protection
- ✓ Bar status verified
65.40LexRankView profileWhy #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.
- Rank17-No changeBF
Blake James Fredrickson
Independent practice · Tampa, FL
Verified- 15 years experience
- Consumer Protection
- ✓ Bar status verified
64.25LexRankView profileWhy #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.
- Rank18-No changeBG
Bryan J. Geiger
Independent practice · Tampa, FL
Verified- 11 years experience
- Consumer Protection
- ✓ Bar status verified
63.20LexRankView profileWhy #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.
- Rank19-No changeRV
Ryan Phillip Valdes
Independent practice · Tampa, FL
Verified- 12 years experience
- Consumer Protection
- ✓ Bar status verified
63.00LexRankView profileWhy #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.
- Rank20-No changeTB
Thomas Martin Bonan
Independent practice · Tampa, FL
Verified- 11 years experience
- Consumer Protection
- ✓ Bar status verified
61.80LexRankView profileWhy #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.
- Rank21-No changeBR
Benjamin W. Raslavich
Independent practice · Tampa, FL
Verified- 13 years experience
- Consumer Protection · Insurance
- ✓ Bar status verified
60.60LexRankView profileWhy #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.
- Rank22-No changeCM
Christopher W. Mathena
Independent practice · Tampa, FL
Verified- 11 years experience
- Consumer Protection · Insurance
- ✓ Bar status verified
58.20LexRankView profileWhy #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.
- Rank23-No changeMR
Megan Amanda Rosenberg
Independent practice · Tampa, FL
Verified- 8 years experience
- Consumer Protection
- ✓ Bar status verified
58.20LexRankView profileWhy #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.
- Rank24-No changeAM
Alejandro Jesus Mendez
Independent practice · Tampa, FL
Verified- 5 years experience
- Consumer Protection
- ✓ Bar status verified
56.00LexRankView profileWhy #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.
- Rank25-No changePB
Patrick Allen Brennan
Independent practice · Tampa, FL
Verified- 9 years experience
- Consumer Protection · Insurance
- ✓ Bar status verified
54.40LexRankView profileWhy #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.
- Look up the lawyer in The Florida Bar's directory and check the bar number shown on their LexRanked profile.
- Ask whether the lawyer you meet will handle your matter personally, and how many matters like yours they have handled recently.
- Ask how they charge and what costs are extra, and get the agreement in writing.
- If you prefer to work in another language, check the languages listed on each profile.
Further reading
Sources for the rules above
- The Florida Bar: member directory (license, certification, languages, admission dates)
- The Florida Bar News: Board certification continues to set Florida lawyers apart (July 2026)
- Florida Statutes, section 501.204 (unlawful acts and practices)
- Florida Statutes, section 501.211 (individual remedies)
- Florida Statutes, section 501.2105 (attorney fees)
- Florida Statutes, section 559.77 (debt collection remedies)
- 15 U.S.C. § 1692k (debt collector civil liability)
- Florida Statutes, section 681.104 (lemon law)
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.
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