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Craig A Whisenhunt
also known as Craig Whisenhunt
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About Craig
Biography
Craig Whisenhunt is a Trial Group Team Leader at The Florida Law Group who focuses on complex personal injury litigation. He has more than 16 years of courtroom experience, including over 200 jury trials and evidentiary hearings, with past work spanning everything from misdemeanors to death-penalty litigation and multimillion-dollar defamation matters.
Before joining The Florida Law Group, he was managing partner at Ripley Whisenhunt, PLLC, a complex criminal defense firm, and has worked to overturn wrongful convictions and severe sentences, including through ongoing involvement with the Innocence Project. His cases have also received national media attention, including coverage by CNN, Rolling Stone, and the Associated Press.
He has a strong background in legal education and litigation technology, having served as Chief Information Officer for a large Florida Public Defender office and training attorneys, students, and paralegals as a professor and consultant. Craig earned his J.D. from Stetson University College of Law and holds two LL.M. degrees (with honors) from Stetson and Temple University Beasley School of Law.
He lives in the Tampa Bay area with his wife and children and enjoys teaching, triathlon training, travel, woodworking, cooking, and technology consulting.
Practice Areas
3
Practice Areas
Car Accident
35%
Personal Injury
35%
12 years | 10 cases
Trucking Accident
30%
Fees and Rates
Cost
Hourly Rates
$ 200-300 per hour
Retainer
Sometimes
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
Licenses
Licensed in Florida for 16 years
State: Florida
Acquired: 2010
No misconduct found
Location
The Florida Law Group
201 S. Biscayne Boulevard, Miami, FL, 33131
thefloridalawgroup.com/meet-the-team/craig-whisenhuntThe Florida Law Group
618 E. South Street, Suite 500, Orlando, FL, 32801
thefloridalawgroup.com/meet-the-team/craig-whisenhuntThe Florida Law Group
238 N Massachusetts Avenue, Lakeland, FL, 33801
thefloridalawgroup.com/meet-the-team/craig-whisenhuntThe Florida Law Group
4020 Park Street North, Saint Petersburg, FL, 33709
thefloridalawgroup.com/meet-the-team/craig-whisenhuntThe Florida Law Group
130 S Indian River Drive, Suite 202, Fort Pierce, FL, 34950
thefloridalawgroup.com/meet-the-team/craig-whisenhuntThe Florida Law Group
15438 N Florida Avenue, Suite 104, Tampa, FL, 33613
thefloridalawgroup.com/meet-the-team/craig-whisenhuntThe Florida Law Group
330 Pauls Drive, Suite 109, Brandon, FL, 33511
thefloridalawgroup.com/meet-the-team/craig-whisenhuntThe Florida Law Group
801 International Parkway, Suite 500, Lake Mary, FL, 32746
thefloridalawgroup.com/meet-the-team/craig-whisenhuntThe Florida Law Group
1990 Main Street, Sarasota, FL, 34236
thefloridalawgroup.com/meet-the-team/craig-whisenhuntThe Florida Law Group
24814 FL-54, Lutz, FL, 33559
thefloridalawgroup.com/meet-the-team/craig-whisenhuntOnline Presence
Other places you can find Craig online.
Craig A Whisenhunt's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
4 Client Reviews
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Practice Areas
Showing 1 - 1 of 1 review | Lawsuits & Disputes
Posted by Eric | July 21, 2019 | Hired Attorney
Unreliable Business Law Attorney
Mr. Whisenhunt initially presented himself as a consummate professional and seemed knowledgable with a business law issue we needed assistance with. He reviewed the material and told us we had a strong case and convinced us to proceed. Per his instructions, we paid an initial retainer. Soon afterw...
Craig Whisenhunt
Replied last July 21, 2019This individual hired us to review overall business practices and a specific legal issue. We terminated the relationship after 16 days, during which he, or his assistant, received 12 emails and three phone calls. Every communication from him was promptly returned. He was informed when he hired the firm that we were in the middle of a month long trial. Despite that fact we were accessible and communicative on a nearly daily basis. He initially provided incomplete information as to the facts of the legal issue he was having. Based upon his initial representations we advised that there might be a viable cause of action. After performing our due diligence and investigating the facts surrounding the legal issue we determined that no legal basis for a suit existed and informed him that we would not proceed. He demanded we pursue a claim we had determined could not ethically be pursued or end our representation. We ceased representation and waived the balance of what was owed to the firm. We heard nothing further from him at all until 4 months later when he began posting negative reviews full of false or misleading information. When we responded to his negative review on google we received an almost immediate email from him consisting of vulgarities and threats. We will not apologize for refusing to act unethically. The bad results that this person met were self-inflicted and the consequence of his attempting to be his own lawyer and putting himself and his company in a vulnerable position. We did not get him into that position, and because of his actions we could not ethically help him out of that position.
Craig A Whisenhunt's Lawyer Endorsements
"Craig cares about his clients and is willing to go the extra mile. Articulate, persuasive, and knowledgeable. I highly recommend him to anyone in need of a top-notch, criminal defense attorney in the Tampa Bay area."
"Mr. Whisenhunt is an incredibly skilled advocate that isn't afraid to zealously advocate for his clients. He has an unmatched ability to navigate through complicated legal arguments and interpretation of the law."
"I endorse this lawyer. Mr. Whisenhunt is an excellent attorney. We have worked together on cases over the past 9 years and he is great about keeping his clients informed and answering all their questions and concerns. He is a true professional."
"I had the pleasure of working with Craig for a number of years while at the Public Defenders Office. Craig has a unique blend of technological savvy and public presentation that makes him a superb trial lawyer. Craig is the "go to" guy for legal technology related problems. I highly endorse Craig."
"I had the opportunity to work with Craig as an Assistant Public Defender in Clearwater. Craig is a tremendous advocate for his clients and always willing to go the extra mile. I would recommend Craig to any of my friends and family without hesitation."
"Craig is incredibly intelligent and hard-working. We worked together for many years at the Public Defender's Office, often on the same cases. He is ferocious in trial, and very passionate about his work. I wholeheartedly endorse Craig."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"Craig Whisenhunt is an exceptional attorney. In fact, most of the methods I use today in my own practice were learned by watching his advocacy inside and outside the courtrooms of Pinellas County. More than anything else, Craig has the ability to see all the "angles" of a given case, and the knowledge & experience needed to explain the best course of action to his clients. Highest recommendation."
"Craig is an extremely knowledgable and professional attorney. He works hard to give the best possible representation to his clients while working well with all the courtroom staff."
Autumn Hancock
Family lawyer
Greg Prosmushkin
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Christopher Lancaster
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Experience
Honors
2015
Top 10 Criminal Law Nomination, American Institute of Legal Counsel
2009
William F. Blews Pro Bono Award, Stetson University College of Law
2008
Best Advocate Criminal Trial Competition, Shook, Hardy & Bacon, LLP
Work Experience
2015 - Present
Managing Partner, Ripley Whisenhunt, PLLC
2014 - Present
President, Tabgo Technologies, LLC
2014 - Present
Adjunct Professor, Saint Petersburg College
2015 - 2015
Chief Information Officer, Office of the Public Defender, 6th Judicial Circuit
2010 - 2015
Assistant Public Defender, Office of the Public Defender, 6th Judicial Circuit
Associations
2011 - Present
Pinellas Association of Criminal Defense LawyersPast Vice President
Education
2011
Temple University - James E. Beasley School of Law
LL.M - Master of Laws
2010
Stetson University College of Law
LL.M - Master of Laws
2009
Stetson University College of Law
2006
Christopher Newport University
BA - Bachelor of Arts
Speaking Engagements
2016
Paralegal Studies/Pre Law Program
Rules of Evidence
2016
Paralegal Studies/Pre Law Program
Criminal Litigation 2
2015
Paralegal Studies/Pre Law Program
Advanced Civil Litigation
2015
Paralegal Studies/Pre Law Program
Rules of Evidence
2015
Paralegal Studies/Pre Law Program
Criminal Litigation 2
2015
JD Program
Technology in Litigation
Publications
2015
Self
Surviving the Process: A practical guide for defendants in criminal court
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Answers
Q&A
What are the typical consequences for speeding 30+ mph? Fees wise, driver's license points, suspension etc.?
08 Oct 2015
Q&A
Can a state's witness choose not to testify against her spouse and become a witness for the defense to validate her spouse?
20 Sep 2015