Howard Ross

Howard P. Ross has practiced with Battaglia, Ross, Dicus, and McQuaid, P.A. and its predecessors since his graduation from Stetson University College of Law in 1964, one of the longest continuous relationships in St. Petersburg. He was also a law clerk at the firm before he graduated.

Mr. Ross is recognized as a 50-year member of the Florida Bar and the American Bar Association. Mr. Ross’ entire career has been devoted to a broad range of business litigation and business transaction law including:

• Business Structures

• Business Disputes

• Contracts and Other Agreements

• Real Estate Matters

• Commercial Title Insurance

• Residential Title Insurance

As a result of his experience, Mr. Ross has acquired the ability to quickly and therefore economically analyze complex litigation and transactional/relationship matters, and determine the course of action that is in the clients’ best interests. In the transactional/relationship area he is sensitive to preventive law measures to try to avoid future disputes or make the resolution of future disputes less difficult and less stressful.

Mr. Ross is Florida Bar Board Certified in Business Litigation Law and also Florida Bar Board Certified in Civil Trial Law as he has been since those programs started. Mr. Ross is a legal expert dedicated to professional excellence in Business Litigation and Civil Litigation. Mr. Ross is a former arbitrator and former member of the American Arbitration Association’s National Commercial Roster of Neutrals. Mr. Ross is a current member of The Large, Complex Commercial Case Panel, and the M&A and Joint Venture Panel. Mr. Ross has been named as a Florida Super Lawyer, listed in The Best Lawyers in America, Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent rating, Recipient of the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award, American Lawyer Media and Martindale-Hubbell Top Rated Lawyer in Real Estate Law, Lawyers of Distinction, an America’s Most Honored Professionals; he has an AVVO 10 rating.

Endeavoring to remain a well rounded Business Lawyer, Mr. Ross handles both business transactions and business litigation matters utilizing the knowledge gained in one to assist in the other. He has handled a wide variety of simple and complex business and relationship litigation as well as business transactions.

Business Litigation

On the Litigation side, disputes arise from doing business and may need to be handled in state and federal courts. We help businesses with:

• Business Relationship Disputes

• Corporate Governance Matters

• Undue Influence Claims

• Disputes between Joint Owners’ Financial Transactions

• Foreclosures

• Construction Litigation

• Condominium Disputes

• Insurance Coverage

• Quiet Title

• Creditors Litigation

• Fraudulent Conveyances

• Contract Litigation

• Corporate Litigation

• LLC Litigation

• Business Real Estate Litigation

• Minority Owner Disputes

Business Transactions & Business Relationships

On the non-litigation side, Mr. Ross has structured and documented simple and complex business relationships and contracts, including:

• Shareholder Agreements

• LLC member agreements

• Business Separation Agreement Settlements

• Transactional Matters including Mergers and Acquisitions

• Asset and Business Sale Agreements

• Day-to-Day Corporate and Business Matters

• Borrowing and Lending Loan Transactions

• Title Insurance

• Corporate Formations

• LLC Formations

• Corporation and LLC Formation Changes

• Split-ups

• Operating Agreements and Bylaws

Because of his strong commitment to the community, Mr. Ross has provided assistance through teaching and publications throughout his career. His teaching includes Trial Practice, Sales, Bank Deposits and Collections at Stetson College of Law; Business Entities at the Entrepreneurial Academy of the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce and numerous continuing education programs. Publications include Florida Corporations, West Group; Managing Discovery in Commercial and Business Litigation, The Florida Bar; Acquisition and Disposition of a Small Corporation, and Interlocutory Appeals, The Florida Bar and lectures at continuing education seminars.

Volunteering has become a way of life for Mr. Ross during his career. Mr. Ross was the “Dean” of the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce Entrepreneurial Academy for 11 years and also served as Treasurer, Director, Legal Counsel, and Chair of the Board for the Chamber as well as being honored as Member of the Year. He also served the community as President and Legal Advisor to the St. Petersburg Neighborhood Housing, Inc., Member of the (St. Petersburg Police) Citizens Review Committee (Co-Chair and Sub-Committee Chair) and as a member of the Community Alliance, a bi-racial organization formed in 1968. Currently, Mr. Ross provides assistance to Veterans through the Stetson College of Law Veterans Pro Bono Program, The Florida Bar’s Lawyers Advising Lawyers program and regularly judges trial competitions held at Stetson College of Law.

Mr. Ross is available to serve as a voluntary Trial Resolution Judge pursuant to Chapter 44, Florida Statutes, a party selected arbitrator, and while not certified he has served as a mediator in business and real property matters.

Mr. Ross provides title insurance for residential and commercial real estate transactions and assists in resolving of title issues and has done so throughout his career.

Honors & Awards

Paul Getting Award, St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce Member of the Year

NAACP, St. Petersburg Branch, Community Service Award

YWCA Humanitarian Award

C.W. Bill Young Pinnacle Award

Florida Super Lawyer

Stetson University College of Law Distinguished Alumnus

Associations & Memberships

Florida Bar, Member

The FUND, Member

Young Lawyer Section, Board of Governors

Federal Rules Committee, Chair

Corporation, Banking and Business Law Section, Chair

Civil Trial Certification Committee, Chair

Business Litigation Certification Committee, Vice Chair

Federal Court Practice Committee, Member

St. Petersburg Chamber of Commerce, Chair

American Arbitration Association’s National Commercial Roster of Neutrals, Member

St. Petersburg Neighborhood Housing, Inc., Past President