Craig A Whisenhunt

Craig A Whisenhunt

4.0
Rating: 10.0

Licensed for 15 years

Criminal defense Lawyer at Pinellas Park, FL
Practice Areas: Criminal Defense, Business, Family ... +2 more

8130 66th Street North, Suite 3, Pinellas Park, FL

About Craig

Biography

Practice Areas

5

Practice Areas

Criminal Defense 50%

15 years | 5,000 cases

50%
Business 20%

14 years | 40 cases

20%
Contracts and Agreements 10%

12 years | 40 cases

10%
Family 10%

12 years | 10 cases

10%
Personal Injury 10%

12 years | 10 cases

10%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Free Consultation

$0 first 60 minutes

Hourly Rates

$ 200-300 per hour

Retainer

Sometimes


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card

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Licenses

Licensed in Florida for 15 years

State: Florida

Acquired: 2010

Member in Good Standing

No misconduct found

Location

Ripley, Whisenhunt & Robinson, PLLC

8130 66th Street North, Suite 3, Pinellas Park, FL, 33781

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Craig A Whisenhunt's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.0 /5.0

4 Client Reviews

5 star (3)
4 star (0)
3 star (0)
2 star (0)
1 star (1)

Posted by Bill | July 21, 2019 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

The Best

I had used three lawyers for my business before meeting Craig. I didn’t know what I was missing. Craig was available almost 24/7 for us. He helped with short term issues and long term strategies. When the invoices came he didn’t nickel and dime us for things like paper clips or copies. My company has... grown tremendously over the past two years and Craig has been a vital component of our growth. I have recommended Craig to a number of my friends and will continue to tell everyone who needs a lawyer that Craig is simply the best there is. He has also personally handled non-business matters for friends and family and has been the consummate professional every step of the way.

Posted by Eric | July 18, 2019 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this 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...ards, he failed to respond timely to multiple voicemails and emails. We later learned he had another case he prioritized over ours despite his assurances for quick action. Eventually, he reversed his initial position, saying we didn't have a case at all. He represented us poorly, ruining our chances of having a positive resolution. He not only refused to issue even a partial refund, but threatened to bill us more for some reason. He turned out to be the cause of the worst possible result we could have imagined. Do not make the same mistake I made my using Mr. Whisenhunt to represent you in a business law matter.

Craig Whisenhunt

Replied last July 21, 2019

This 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.

Posted by anonymous | November 4, 2017 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Intellectual advocate.

I hired Mr Whisenhunt to advocate for my child as the victim of a crime. He maintained outstanding communication, problem solved along the way, and advocated for justice. He is also an outstanding professor at St Petersburg college on criminal law topics. He is incredibly brilliant just to chat with ...him you get the sense he cuts straight to the heart of the issue. He will give honest direction based on the law, which is what we were seeking. Justice to us meant fairness under the law. He accomplished exactly that.

Posted by Laura | September 3, 2015 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Consultation with Craig Whisenhunt and Dan Ripley

Craig and his partner Dan prepared for my consultation prior to my arrival and were familiar with the law around my case. They both took a lot of time to ask pertinent questions and present options that would meet my needs. They were sensitive to my financial limitations and made me feel better about... a situation that has been causing me great anxiety. I retained this firm and their follow up communication has been excellent. They give updates frequently and I can tell that they really care about the outcome of my case. They are smart, passionate, and committed. I would highly recommend these two attorneys.

See All Client Reviews

Craig A Whisenhunt's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Craig
Keeley R. Karatinos headshot
Keeley Karatinos

Criminal defense lawyer | Jul 08

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"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."

Adriene Lea Ables headshot
Adriene Ables

Criminal defense lawyer | Jan 21

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"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."

Christopher C Lancaster headshot
Christopher Lancaster

Business lawyer | Aug 12

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"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."

Kevin Mark Schmitt headshot
Kevin Schmitt

Criminal defense lawyer | Dec 13

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"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."

Michael James Rainka headshot
Michael Rainka

Criminal defense lawyer | Dec 10

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"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."

Nicolas Stephen Robinson headshot
Nicolas Robinson

Criminal defense lawyer | Aug 20

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"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."

Noah Jon Kores headshot
Noah Kores

Criminal defense lawyer | Sep 10

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I endorse this lawyer."

Greg Prosmushkin headshot
Greg Prosmushkin

Unknown lawyer | Jul 09

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Gabe Neibergall headshot
Gabe Neibergall

Criminal defense lawyer | Jul 03

Relationship: Co-worker

"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."

Daniel Winchester Ripley headshot
Daniel Ripley

Criminal defense lawyer | Jul 01

Relationship: Co-worker

"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."

View All Endorsements
Autumn Nicole Hancock headshot
Autumn Hancock

Family lawyer

Greg Prosmushkin headshot
Greg Prosmushkin

Criminal defense lawyer

Gabe Neibergall headshot
Gabe Neibergall

Criminal defense lawyer

Rachael Lynne Wood headshot
Rachael Wood

Unknown lawyer

Tracey Lyn Sticco headshot
Tracey Sticco

Criminal defense lawyer

Daniel Winchester Ripley headshot
Daniel Ripley

Criminal defense lawyer

Christopher C Lancaster headshot
Christopher Lancaster

Litigation lawyer

Experience

Rating:  10.0 (Superb)

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 Lawyers

Past 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

Avvo Rating

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