Wardell Law Firm | Tampa Law Office
Personal Injury
Tampa Skyline Cropped.jpg

WARDELL LAW FIRM

Experienced Tampa Lawyers

 

Our Attorneys

Whether it is someone accused of a crime by the state or federal government or an individual hurt in a car wreck or by a defective product, Jim’s focus is always the same. Every meeting with a client, every appearance in court, every negotiation, and everything he does as a attorney is driven by the knowledge that his clients are counting on his skill, judgment, and dedication as their attorney to protect them or vindicate their rights.


FoundING ATTORNEY

James A. Wardell

Jim understands that when his clients come to him, they are facing very personal and often disruptive challenges. He makes sure that each one of his clients receives personal attention and care. Jim wants his clients to focus on getting back to the things that are important to them, having the peace of mind that comes from knowing that their attorney is doing the best possible job handling the matter which brought them to him.

Jim has spent his entire career as a litigator, building a reputation among colleagues, adversaries, and judges as a zealous and successful advocate and someone who is always thoroughly prepared and willing to go to trial. Jim began his law career in Tampa at the prestigious criminal defense firm of Lazzara & Paul, P.A. He learned to practice law under the tutelage of nationally renowned trial attorney Bennie Lazzara, Jr. Together, they defended individuals accused of crimes in both state and federal court.

Jim has represented clients from Miami to Los Angeles on charges ranging from DUI to murder. He gained extensive experience in the area of forfeitures, and was lead counsel on the largest criminal forfeiture of real property in the Middle District of Florida.

Building on his criminal defense experience, Jim expanded his practice to include the representation of professionals in the medical field, including physicians and corporate officers of hospitals or medical practices in white collar fraud claims, as well as Qui Tam actions. Additionally, he has represented individuals in civil rights claims, fighting for those wrongly accused and convicted of crimes and victims of unnecessary or excessive force by law enforcement.

At Wardell Law Firm, Jim focuses his trial practice primarily on representing individuals injured in automobile accidents or victims of medical malpractice or defective products. He has secured multiple seven figure confidential settlements in serious auto accident, medical malpractice, and wrongful death cases.

Jim has been recognized by his peers with the AV Preeminent® rating from Martindale-Hubbell®, the highest possible rating for both ethical standards and legal ability.

Community and Family

Jim’s commitment to service extends beyond his practice to the Tampa community at large. Jim is a regular volunteer for the Guardian Ad Litem program, providing legal representation to volunteers representing the interests of abused or neglected children. He has coached many youth sports including basketball, football, baseball, and soccer. He was the manager of the 2009 Bayshore Little League and 10-11 All-star team which were the District 6 and Section 7 Champions and went to the State Tournament. He regularly manages baseball teams at Bayshore Little League on Davis Island.

Jim is dedicated to his family as well. He is married with five sons, and on most weekends can usually be found on the street or at a park with one of his children playing or coaching any number of sports.

 

Education

STETSON UNIVERSITY
Juris Doctor, 1990

UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
B.S., 1987

Admitted

1990, Florida; U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida; U.S. Supreme Court

Professional Associations

  • The Florida Bar

  • Hillsborough County Assn. of Criminal Defense Attorneys (President, 1999-2000; Vice President, 1998-1999; Secretary, 1994; Treasurer, 1996-1997; Member, Board of Directors, 1992, 1993);

  • Hillsborough County Bar Assn. (Trial Attorneys Section; Board of Directors 1993-1994, 2003-2004)

  • National Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys

  • Academy of Florida Trial Attorneys (Eagle Member)

  • American Justice Association; Florida Justice Association

Professional Accreditations

James A. Wardell Professional Accreditations Gerry Spence Method and AV Preeminent Peer Rated for Highest Level of Professional Excellence
 

aTTORNEY

Jaime (“R.J.”) Quezon

Jaime (“R.J.”) Quezon is an experienced business and real estate attorney. R.J. understands that his clients are looking to him to facilitate deals, not stand in the way of them. He takes the time to understand his clients’ businesses and their goals and works to develop the most effective solution and reach the optimal result as quickly and efficiently as possible.

For 17 years, R.J has focused his practice on real estate and corporate transactions. He has significant experience representing buyers as well as developers in the acquisition and sale of unimproved and improved properties, land development, and related contract and construction litigation.

R.J. also works with clients in the area of mortgage financing and other secured lending, mortgage foreclosures and loan workouts, drafting, implementation and enforcement of subdivision and homeowners’ association documentation and related disputes, real property management and brokerage disputes.

R.J. provides guidance in business entity formation matters, working closely with his clients to choose the most suitable vehicle for reaching their goals. He assists business clients with operational, governance, acquisition and sale, real estate, and compliance-related matters.

 

Education

STETSON UNIVERSITY
Juris Doctor, 1993

UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
B.S., Economics, 1989

Admitted

1994, Florida; U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida

Professional Associations

  • Hillsborough County Bar Association

  • The Florida Bar

  • NFLPA Contract Advisor


 

Request a Free Consultation.

 
 

Use the form below to tell us about your legal inquiry, and we’ll call you back to schedule an appointment. Please be as detailed as possible. Include what industry you need service for along with any specific document requests. To help us best serve your inquiry, we recommend that you first describe the issue you’re having before telling us what you want to achieve. Feel free to email or call us to make an appointment. Our general response time is one business day for form submissions.