Battaglia, Ross, Dicus & McQuaid, P.A. is celebrating winning a clean sweep in Creative Loafing Tampa Bay’s 2026 Best of the Bay Awards. In addition to being voted Best Law Firm, four of our lawyers received awards in the Best Attorney categories exemplifying the trust and confidence the people of Tampa Bay have in us. This year marks an outstanding achievement for our entire legal team.
Our team earned victories in all four categories in which we were nominated:
- Best Law Firm: Battaglia, Ross, Dicus & McQuaid, P.A.
- Best All Around Attorney: Sean McQuaid
- Best Attorney – Pinellas: Sean McQuaid
- Best Attorney – Hillsborough: Samara Ballard
We sincerely thank everyone who nominated and voted for our attorneys and firm. Your continued confidence and support make achievements like these possible. We also congratulate the other winners and finalists who help make Tampa Bay such a remarkable community.
Best Law Firm: A Victory for Our Entire Team
Winning Best Law Firm is especially meaningful because it recognizes the collective dedication of our attorneys, paralegals, administrative professionals, and support staff.
Four of our Attorneys Received Best of the Bay Awards
Sean McQuaid was honored to be voted Best All-Around Attorney for the Tampa Bay area as well as Best Attorney – Pinellas County.
Samara Ballard stepped into the ring and walked away with the Best Attorney – Hillsborough County award.
Attorneys Jonathon Douglas and Alec Waid both were awarded Finalist honors in the Best Attorney in Hillsborough category.
Sean McQuaid Awarded Two Best of the Bay Victories
Firm president Sean McQuaid won both Best All-Around Attorney and Best Attorney in Pinellas, adding two more honors to his many awards and distinguished legal career.
Sean focuses his practice on personal injury and criminal defense, representing clients in matters ranging from serious injury claims to complex criminal cases.
His professional accomplishments include an AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell, selection to Florida Super Lawyers for Personal Injury since 2016, and membership in the Million Dollar Advocates Forum.
Sean is also a previous Best of the Bay winner. He was named Best Attorney in the 2022 competition. His two victories in 2026 further strengthen his record of professional achievement and community recognition.
These latest honors reflect his commitment to providing exceptional legal representation and his longstanding contributions to the Tampa Bay legal community.
Samara Ballard Wins Best Attorney in Hillsborough
Attorney Samara Ballard won the title of Best Attorney in Hillsborough, adding another major victory to the firm’s 2026 Best of the Bay achievements.
Samara represents clients in criminal defense and civil litigation matters, helping individuals and businesses navigate challenging legal situations. Her victory recognizes her dedication to her clients and her work within the Hillsborough County legal community.
The category was especially significant for us because three of our attorneys dominated the finals. It’s a big win for us and for Hillsborough County.
We congratulate Samara on her victory and Jonathon Douglas and Alec Waid on earning Finalist honors in the Best Attorney in Hillsborough category. Their achievements highlight the strength and versatility of our attorneys serving clients throughout both Hillsborough County and Pinellas County.
Jonathon Douglas and Alec Waid
Jonathan Douglas represents clients in both personal injury and insurance dispute matters, maximizing his previous experience and knowledge gained from being a partner at an insurance defense firm.
Alec Waid practices in the areas of criminal defense, civil litigation and commercial litigation. Alec brings unique insight to his practice in criminal defense having worked four years as a prosecutor for the Pinellas County State Attorney’s Office.
Both attorneys are critical members of our team and we congratulate them on being awarded Finalist honors.
About Creative Loafing Tampa’s Best of the Bay Awards
Creative Loafing’s Best of the Bay Awards celebrate outstanding businesses, professionals, and organizations throughout the Tampa Bay area. Public nominations and voting make these people’s choice awards particularly meaningful to our firm.
The winners were announced on October 7 at The Coliseum in St. Petersburg, where local businesses, professionals, and community leaders gathered for the annual celebration. Battaglia, Ross, Dicus & McQuaid, P.A. was also proud to serve as the Entertainment Sponsor, supporting one of Tampa Bay’s most anticipated community events.
Work With an Award-Winning Tampa Bay Law Firm
The 2026 Best of the Bay Awards are a proud milestone for Battaglia, Ross, Dicus & McQuaid, P.A., and our focus remains on delivering outstanding legal representation to the people and businesses who depend on us.
Founded in 1958, Battaglia, Ross, Dicus & McQuaid, P.A. is one of Florida’s oldest law firms and one of Tampa Bay’s most established multi-practice legal practices. For decades, we have represented individuals, families, and businesses while maintaining a strong commitment to legal advocacy, personal service, and our local communities.
Our knowledgeable and experienced attorneys handle a broad range of legal matters, including personal injury, criminal defense, civil litigation, business law, real estate, and estate planning and probate.
Having our firm and several attorneys recognized demonstrates the depth of legal experience across our team and the strong relationships we have built throughout Pinellas and Hillsborough counties. We are conveniently located throughout the region with offices in St Petersburg, Riverview, Tampa, Lakewood Ranch, Parrish and Wesley Chapel.
Our attorneys have earned more than 500 awards and professional recognitions throughout the firm’s history. The 2026 Best of the Bay victories add another important chapter to that legacy.
If you or a loved one needs trusted legal representation, contact us today to schedule a free consultation and speak with an experienced attorney about your legal needs.
