Sandefer Law Firm

Mr. Sandefer was named by US News and World Reports Best Lawyers in America 2023.

Mr. Sandefer has been honored with the national recognition of being named to the Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers in America. This is a register which lists only the most distinguished law practices, those that signify the highest levels of legal ability and the adherence to professional standards of conduct, ethics, reliability, and diligence.

Mr. Sandefer has achieved a prestigious rating of AV by Martindale-Hubbell. This rating is a result of a peer review system based upon the confidential opinions of practicing attorneys and judges. Martindale-Hubbell has been recognized for over a century as the most respected source of authoritative information about members of the legal community. An AV rating reflects an attorney who has reached the heights of professional excellence and is recognized for the highest level of skill, integrity, and ethical standards.

He has been named a Florida Super Lawyer by Florida Super Magazine in 2009 and one of the top 100 Trial Attorneys in Florida by the National Trial Lawyers Association.

• Board Certified as a Specialist in Criminal Trial Law by The Florida Bar since 1987 .One of the first attorneys in the state to be attain certification as a specialist in criminal trial law.
• The first attorney in the Sixth Judicial Circuit of Florida to be awarded board certification as a criminal trial law specialist
• Named to Who’s Who in America 1997 – present
• Named to Who’s Who in American Law 1997 – present
• Named to the Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers in America 2009 to present
• Rated 10.0 by AVVO, Superb
• Named to Top 100 Trial Lawyers by National Trial Lawyers Assoc. 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
• Top Lawyer of Tampa Bay- 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014,2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 (Tampa Bay Magazine)
• AV Rated by Martindale Hubbell, highest rating available in legal ability and ethics*
• Selected to Florida Super Lawyers 2009
• Selected to Leadership Pinellas 1998
• Past Chairperson of Florida Bar Grievance Committee 6A, and also Chairperson of Grievance Committee 6D (Hearing complaints against Florida attorneys and discipline)(3 year appointments)
• Former Assistant State Attorney 6th Judicial Circuit 1978-1986
  • For Pinellas and Pasco Counties
  • Lead Trial Attorney
  • Division Director (one of three), supervised one third of the felony and misdemeanor trial divisions, responsible for filing and sentencing decisions, attorney training, trials of major cases including homicides, drug trafficking, sex crimes, and violent crimes.
  • On-call Homicide response attorney, responded to scenes of homicides to advise and assist law enforcement in the on-scene investigation and meet with the medical examiner on scene
  • DUI/traffic court supervisor