Sean K. McQuaid
Top Rated Criminal Defense Attorney
You have found the law firm that gets the results that no one else can. Criminal Defense Attorney Sean K. McQuaid is President and managing partner of Battaglia, Ross, Dicus & McQuaid, PA. The firm is a powerhouse in Pinellas County and is the oldest law firm in St. Petersburg. The firm and its lawyers have deep connections to the justice system and a reputation for being the best.
Sean is committed to getting the best possible case outcome for his clients. From felonies, misdemeanors, to traffic court cases, he can help reduce your sentence or keep you out of jail. Sean specializes in cases involving DUIs, drug possession, domestic battery, disorderly conduct and serious felonies.
As a compassionate defense attorney, Sean understands how important it is to keep your name and reputation clean. That’s why he works aggressively on all of his cases. Sean also gives personal attention to every client in order to ensure he provides a defense solution tailored to their specific needs. More importantly, his experience and expertise lends him the gift of crafting a strong defense to win the case, which is reflected by his successful track record. Clients consistently come back to thank Sean for his professionalism and tenacious efforts to protect their good name and their legal rights.
It’s not just the clients who respect Sean. He’s successfully handled countless cases and discreetly handled high profile cases. As such, he’s created close relationships with judges in the Pinellas County Courts.This gives his clients huge advantage – when he walks into a courtroom, judges and prosecutors show respect because they know who he is and that he means business.
Sean is not just an outstanding defense attorney, he’s also a leader and a role model in the community. was the Past President of the St. Petersburg Bar Association from 2020-21. The St. Petersburg Bar Association is a professional organization of 1,100 judges and lawyers in the Tampa Bay Area. Sean served on the Executive Committee of the Association for six years and gained many insights into our legal system during that time.
There are few, if any, attorneys in the area that can compare to Sean’s awards and accolades, including Best of the Bay’s Best Attorney 2022, Super Lawyer Designation for 2023, and the following awards:
Sean’s Awards
- Voted Best Attorney in Tampa Bay for 2022 by Creative Loafing
- Martindale Hubbel AV-rated
- Florida Super Lawyer by Thompson Reuters
- Florida Trend Legal Elite
- The Best Lawyers in America
- Perfect Ranking and Client Choice Award by avvo.com
- Florida Trend Legal Elite’s Notable Managing Partner
- Expertise Award for Best Criminal Defense Attorney in St. Petersburg
Sean’s Law Firm Awards
- Voted Best of the Best by The Tampa Bay Times from 2019-2023
- Tier 1 Law Firm by US News & World Reports
- Voted Best in Criminal Defense Law by The Tampa Bay Times for 2023
About Sean
Sean has been a resident of Pinellas County since August 1997 when he began his legal studies at Stetson University College of Law, eventually graduating with Juris Doctor and Masters in Business Administration degrees. During law school, he was a member of the Moot Court Board from 1998 through 2000, arguing in competitions across the country.
While at Princeton University from 1993-97, Mr. McQuaid was a 4-year varsity letterman and the captain of the Princeton University Baseball Team.
Community Involvement
In addition to his impressive legal practice and accolades, Mr. McQuaid has also been recognized for his service to the community. In August 2010, Governor Charlie Crist appointed him to the Judicial Nominating Commission for the Sixth Judicial Circuit covering Pinellas and Pasco counties. The Commission is responsible for nominating both county and circuit court judges to the Governor for appointment. The term of his appointment ran from August 20, 2010 through March 2015.
Mr. McQuaid also was appointed by St. Petersburg Mayor Bill Foster and City Council in October 2011 to serve on the City of St. Petersburg Nuisance Abatement Board where he served as Chairman of the Board in 2014 and 2016. Mr. McQuaid has also been on the Board of the Harbor Isle Homeowners’ Association in St. Petersburg from 2006-2020, where he served for 9 of those years as President. He remains extremely active in the community.
Sean K. McQuaid
Top Rated Criminal Defense Attorney
You have found the law firm that gets the results that no one else can. Criminal Defense Attorney Sean K. McQuaid is President of Battaglia, Ross, Dicus & McQuaid, PA. The firm is a powerhouse in Pinellas County and is the oldest law firm in St. Petersburg. The firm and its lawyers have deep connections to the justice system and a reputation for being the best.
Sean was the Past President of the St. Petersburg Bar Association for 2020-21. The St. Petersburg Bar Association is a professional organization of 1,100 judges and lawyers in the Tampa Bay Area. Sean served on the Executive Committee of the Association for six years and gained many insights into our legal system during that time.
There are few, if any, attorneys in the area that can compare to Sean’s awards and accolades:
Sean’s Awards
- Martindale Hubbel AV-rated attorney-receiving the highest ranking possible from his peers, the judges he practices in front of, and his clients.
- Florida Super Lawyer by Thompson Reuters
- Florida Trend Legal Elite
- The Best Lawyers in America
- Perfect Ranking and Client Choice Award by avvo.com
- Three Best Rated in St. Petersburg
- Top 40 under 40 by American Society of Legal Advocates
Sean’s Law Firm Awards
- Voted Best of the Best by The Tampa Bay Times from 2019-2022
- Voted Best of the Bay by Creative Loafing for 2022
- Tier 1 Law Firm by US News & World Reports
About Sean
Mr. McQuaid has been a resident of Pinellas County since August 1997 when he began his legal studies at Stetson University College of Law, eventually graduating with Juris Doctor and Masters in Business Administration degrees. During law school he was a member of the Moot Court Board from 1998 through 2000, arguing in competitions across the country.
While at Princeton University from 1993-97, Mr. McQuaid was a 4-year varsity letterman and the captain of the Princeton University Baseball Team.
Sean now lives in St. Petersburg with his wife and children. Since 2019, he has volunteered as a coach for his son’s baseball teams at Fossil Park.
Community Involvement
In addition to his impressive legal practice and accolades, Mr. McQuaid has also been recognized for his service to the community. In August 2010, Governor Charlie Crist appointed him to the Judicial Nominating Commission for the Sixth Judicial Circuit covering Pinellas and Pasco counties. The Commission is responsible for nominating both county and circuit court judges to the Governor for appointment. The term of his appointment ran from August 20, 2010 through March 2015.
Mr. McQuaid also was appointed by St. Petersburg Mayor Bill Foster and City Council in October 2011 to serve on the City of St. Petersburg Nuisance Abatement Board where he served as Chairman of the Board in 2014 and 2016. Mr. McQuaid has also been on the Board of the Harbor Isle Homeowners’ Association in St. Petersburg from 2006-2020, where he served for 9 of those years as President. He remains extremely active in the community.
Memberships
Florida Bar
District of Colombia Bar
Colorado Bar
- St. Petersburg Bar Association Executive Committee from 2015-present
National Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys
Pinellas Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
Hillsborough County Bar
Clearwater Bar
Leadership of St. Petersburg, Class of 2007
Education
Stetson University College of Law
Juris Doctor/Masters in Business Administration, Law
1997 – 2000Princeton University
Bachelor’s degree
Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies
1993 – 1997
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Pinellas County Criminal Defense Resources
We have compiled a valuable list of helpful resources for you or your loved one’s Pinellas County Criminal Defense case. If you are an existing client, any information or conversations you have should take place with our office first. BE VERY CAREFUL if and when you contact any state or government agency as any conversations you have may be recorded and/or transcribed for law enforcement to use against you.