At Battaglia, Ross, Dicus & McQuaid, P.A., we are proud to share that eleven of our attorneys have been honored in the 32nd edition of Best Lawyers in America and the 6th edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America. Being recognized reflects not just professional achievement, but also the lasting impact we aim to make for those we represent. Best Lawyers in America has honored the following attorneys for their outstanding work in their respective fields:
Sean K. McQuaid (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2023)
- Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs
Aubrey O. Dicus, Jr. (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2010)
- Commercial Litigation
- Criminal Defense – General Practice
- Criminal Defense – White-Collar
- Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
- Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs
Jonathon Douglas (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2023)
- Insurance Law
- Litigation – Insurance
Robert Kapusta, Jr. (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2023)
- Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law
- Corporate Law
- Mergers and Acquisitions Law
- Real Estate Law
- Trusts and Estates
Bruce Marger (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2009)
- Litigation – Trusts and Estates
- Trusts and Estates
Andrew R. Pardun (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2023)
- Corporate Law
- Litigation – Real Estate
- Real Estate Law
C. Hunter Rawls (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2025)
- Litigation – Trusts and Estates
- Trusts and Estates
Caitlin C. Szematowicz (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2023)
- Commercial Litigation
Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America (2026 Edition):
Lama Alqasemi
- Elder Law
- Trusts and Estates
Ranger Jackson
- Criminal Defense – White-Collar
- Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs
Alec Waid
- Commercial Litigation
- Criminal Defense – General Practice
Sean K. McQuaid
Sean K. McQuaid has been named to Best Lawyers in America in 2026 for his work in Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs. He currently serves as President and Managing Partner of Battaglia, Ross, Dicus & McQuaid, P.A., and previously held the role of President of the St. Petersburg Bar Association from 2020 to 2021. In 2025, he was also recognized as one of St. Pete’s Best Personal Injury Attorneys. His practice spans a range of areas, including personal injury, wrongful death, and criminal defense.
Aubrey O. Dicus, Jr.
Aubrey is honored in the 2026 edition of Best Lawyers in America for his work in Criminal Defense – General Practice, Criminal Defense – White Collar, Commercial Litigation, and Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs and Defendants. With nearly five decades at the firm, he brings unparalleled experience, having represented clients in cases ranging from minor disputes to highly complex, high-profile matters. He has also been named to the 2025 Florida’s Super Lawyers list.
Jonathon Douglas
Jonathon Douglas, recognized in the 2026 edition of Best Lawyers in America for Insurance Law and Insurance Litigation, is also a Florida Super Lawyer and St. Petersburg native. He has devoted his career to advocating for policyholders in complex insurance disputes and currently serves as a partner at Battaglia, Ross, Dicus & McQuaid, P.A., concentrating on personal injury and insurance litigation.
Andrew R. Pardun
Andrew R. Pardun has been recognized in the 2026 edition of Best Lawyers in America for his work in Real Estate Law, Real Estate Litigation, and Corporate Law. His practice also includes commercial and residential title insurance and business law. For the sixth year in a row, he also earned a spot on the Florida Super Lawyer’s Rising Star list.
Robert Kapusta Jr.
Robert Kapusta, Jr. has been named to Best Lawyers in America in 2026 in multiple categories, including Closely Held Companies, Family Businesses Law, Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law, and Real Estate Law. Trusts and Estates his work in Real Estate Law and Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law. His practice further includes mergers and acquisitions, business and corporate law, along with tax and estate planning. Not only is he an accomplished attorney, but an active community member, serving as chair of the Executive Committee for the St. Petersburg Downtown Partnership.
Bruce Marger
Bruce Marger is recognized in the 2026 edition of Best Lawyers in America for his expertise in both the categories of Trusts and Estates and Litigation – Trusts and Estates. His practice spans estate planning, estate and gift tax planning, income tax preparation for estates and trusts, probate and trust administration, real property law, and probate and trust litigation. He also provides specialized guidance to clients on planning qualified IRA distributions.
C. Hunter Rawls
C. Hunter Rawls is listed in Best Lawyers in America for his excellence in Litigation – Trusts and Estates, as well as in the category Trusts and Estates. A sixth-generation Floridian, he is part of the firm’s Wills, Trusts, and Estates division, where he combines extensive estate planning experience with a strong record in litigation. In 2024, he was also appointed to a three-year term on The Florida Bar Sixth Circuit Grievance Committee “D”, which contributes to upholding ethical standards in Florida’s legal community.
Caitlin C. Szematowicz
Caitlin C. Szematowicz has been recognized in the latest edition of Best Lawyers in America for her work in Commercial Litigation. Since joining the firm in 2012, she has provided outstanding legal representation in civil and commercial litigation, appeals, and employment law for employers. A Rising Star to Florida’s Super Lawyers list since 2018, and a Florida Super Lawyer since 2024, Caitlin C. Szematowicz has been consistently recognized for her excellence in her legal practice.
Lama Alqasemi
Lama has been named a 2026 “Ones to Watch” honoree by Best Lawyers in America for her
work in Trusts and Estates, as well as Elder Law. She also focuses on charitable gift planning, business succession planning, guardianship, Medicaid eligibility, and qualified income trusts. In 2025, her commitment to her clients was also recognized when she was named to Florida’s Super Lawyers Rising Stars list.
Ranger Jackson
Ranger Jackson has been named to Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America for Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs, and for 2026, he also earned recognition for his work in Criminal Defense – White Collar. He brings a broad background in personal injury, criminal defense, and civil litigation, including experience as a prosecutor in both Pinellas County, Florida, and the San Francisco Bay Area, where he handled high-profile cases and led an electronic investigations unit.
Alec Waid
Alec Waid is a first-time addition to Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America for Commercial Litigation and Criminal Defense – General Practice. He was previously a prosecutor in the Pinellas County State Attorney’s Office, where he tried over 25 jury trials, handling cases ranging from complex financial fraud to major legal violations. Alec now represents individuals and businesses in civil disputes and criminal defense matters, bringing extensive courtroom experience and trial advocacy expertise.
Why Choose Battaglia, Ross, Dicus & McQuaid, P.A.
Since 1958, Battaglia, Ross, Dicus & McQuaid, P.A. has been a trusted legal name, providing dedicated representation for Florida residents in cases of all sizes and complexities. Founded by the late Anthony Battaglia on principles of service, integrity, and community involvement, the firm has built a long-standing reputation for excellence. Today, our attorneys continue this legacy, providing skilled legal counsel across a wide range of practice areas while actively contributing to the community. Get in touch with us today for expert legal guidance, and learn more at: https://www.stpetelawgroup.com/
