Attorney Profiles
Meet the team of skilled attorneys at Frazer, Hubbard, Brandt, Trask, Yacavone, Metz & Daigneault, LLP.
Mark W. Brandt
Mark W. Brandt was born in 1946 in Jefferson, Iowa and has lived in Dunedin, Florida since 1958. He is an AV® PreeminentTM Peer Review RatedSM attorney by Martindale-Hubbell®—the highest professional and ethical rating awarded.
Mark has practiced in Dunedin for 33 years and is a member of the Florida Bar and Clearwater Bar Association.
Practice areas
- Estate planning and probate
- Real estate transactions
Bar admissions
- Florida, 1972
- United States District Court, Middle District of Florida, 1974
Education
- J.D., University of Virginia, 1972
- B.A. in International Affairs, Florida State University, 1969
Professional memberships
- Florida Bar
- Clearwater Bar Association
- Member, Board of Directors, 1979–1981
Jay Daigneault
Jay Daigneault began work for the firm as a law clerk in summer 2005 and joined the firm as an associate upon his graduation from Stetson University College of Law in May 2006. During law school, Jay was a senior associate of the Stetson Law Review, and several of his case digests were published in the local government law symposium. He graduated cum laude and made the honor roll each semester.
Prior to attending law school, Jay enjoyed a successful career in the hospitality industry, working for major restaurant and hotel chains in operations management and corporate training. He is originally from Marlborough, Massachusetts and moved to Pinellas County in 1989 after graduating from Hudson Catholic High School. Jay lives in St. Petersburg with his wife, Lori.
Practice areas
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Bar admissions
- United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida
- Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals
- Florida State Courts
Education
- J.D., cum laude, Stetson University College of Law
- Stetson Law Review, Senior Associate
- B.A. in History, Eckerd College
Professional memberships
- American Bar Association
- Litigation Section
- Local Government Law Section
- Florida Bar
- Local Government Law Section
- Clearwater Bar Association
- St. Petersburg Bar Association
John G. Hubbard
John G. Hubbard is one of the founding members of the firm. John received his bachelor's degree from Bucknell University and his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Florida. John served as a captain in the United States Air Force from 1967 to 1971 as a special agent in the Office of Special Investigations. He was president of the Florida Municipal Attorneys Association from 1995 to 1996.
John has served as the City Attorney for the City of Dunedin since 1974. He served for many years as the City Attorney for the cities of Belleair Bluffs and Tarpon Springs. Mr. Hubbard has participated as a speaker on many occasions at seminars for local government attorneys presented by the Florida Municipal Attorneys Association and the City, County and Local Government Law Section of the Florida Bar. He is a regular speaker at elected official seminars sponsored by the Florida Institute on Government on the subjects of public meetings law (Chapter 286 F.S.), public records law (Chapter 119 F.S.) and ethics in government (Chapter 112 F.S.) John received recognition by the Local Government Law Section of the Florida Bar for outstanding contribution in the area of governmental ethics.
Practice areas
- Government and administrative law
- Wills and trusts and real estate
Bar admissions
- Supreme Court of the United States
- United States Circuit Court of Appeals, 5th and 11th Circuits
- United States District Court, Middle District of Florida
- United States Tax Court
- Supreme Court of Florida
- Florida
Education
- J.D., University of Florida
- Bachelor's degree, Bucknell University
Robert J. Metz, Jr.
Robert J. Metz, Jr. was born and raised in Clearwater, Florida. While earning his law degree and Master of Business Administration from Stetson University, Robert was active on and off campus. Off campus, he was an intern in the office of Governor Jeb Bush and served as a judicial intern for two judges, the Honorable Rex Barbas, and the Honorable Ronald Ficarrotta. On campus, Robert was as a research assistant for Professor Julian Kossow, a Stetson ambassador, a member of the SBA Student Advisory Counsel, and a member of the Stetson Maritime Law Society. Upon graduating, Robert was recognized for his pro bono service to the legal community by being awarded with the William F. Blews Pro Bono Service Award.
Robert focuses his practice on estate planning, probate, real estate transactions, and real estate litigation. He resides in Clearwater with his wife Jillian, where they enjoy boating and fishing with their family and friends. Robert remains active in his community as a member of the Clearwater Bar Association and the Dunedin Rotary.
Practice areas
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Bar admissions
- Florida, 2005
Education
- J.D., Stetson University College of Law, 2005
- M.B.A., Stetson University, 2005
- B.S. in Real Estate, Florida State University, 2001
Professional memberships
- Clearwater Bar Association
- Clearwater Rotary
- Leadership Pinellas
- Florida Bar
- Member, Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section
Maria G. Pitelis
Maria G. Pitelis was born in Bristol, Connecticut and moved to Pinellas County Florida in 1991. Having an interest in law at an early age, Maria participated in the Executive Internship Program at Tarpon Springs High School, interning at the Pinellas County State Attorney's Office and the Law Firm of Yanchuck, Berman, and Kasaris in her senior year in high school.
Maria majored in Political Science at Stetson University in Deland, Florida and participated in Mock Senate and received numerous awards for her participation as foreign relations committee chair in her senior year. As the president of the pre-law society at Stetson, Maria also went to Washington D.C. to participate in a mock trial competition at George Washington University.
Maria continued her studies at Stetson, by enrolling in Stetson University College of Law in 1999. During her third year at Stetson, she participated in an internship at the State Attorney's Office which allowed her to participate in criminal hearings on behalf of the prosecutor's office.
Maria continued her career at the State Attorney's Office following her graduation from Stetson in 2002 and has been a practicing family law since 2003. She specializes in all aspects of family law from simple uncontested cases to complex litigation, including but not limited to Divorce, Custody, Child Support, Asset Division, Relocation, Domestic Violence Injunctions, Dependency (DCF cases) and Alimony. Maria resides in Holiday and enjoys jogging, yoga, and hiking and has participated in the Disney Marathon in 2005.
Practice areas
- Divorce
- Alimony
- Custody
- Child Support
- Relocation
- Domestic Violence Injunctions
- Dependency (DCF cases)
- Equitable Distribution (Asset Division)
Bar admissions
- Florida, 2002
Education
- Stetson University 1999
- Stetson University College of Law 2002
Professional memberships
- Clearwater Bar Association
- Canakaris Inns of Court (Secretary)
- Family Law Section of the Florida Bar
Thomas J. Trask
Thomas J. Trask joined the firm in 1988 and became partner in 1993 and managing partner in 2004. Tom specializes in local government law and related litigation. He is currently the City Attorney for the cities of Oldsmar and Belleair Bluffs and assists in the legal representation for the cities of Dunedin and Tarpon Springs. He also serves as the Code Enforcement Board attorney for the cities of Safety Harbor, Tarpon Springs, and Dunedin. Tom is currently a Special Magistrate for the Town of Bellair and the City of Madeira Beach. He is the former Special Master for Code Enforcement for the Town of Indian Shores and former City Attorney for the City of Madeira Beach. In addition to municipal law and municipal litigation, Tom practices in the areas of construction and real property litigation, contract disputes, family law, and collections.
Tom also acts as general counsel for the Suncoast Safety Council, as well as serving as a board member of that organization. He has been a board member for the past 22 years of Youth and Family Alternatives, Inc., a charitable organization benefiting troubled and underprivileged youth in Florida. He is a member of the Florida Bar, Georgia Bar, Clearwater Bar and Florida Municipal Attorneys Association.
Tom attended Tarpon Springs High School and is married to his high school sweetheart, Laura. They live in Palm Harbor with their two sons. He and his family enjoy boating and fishing. Tom and Laura are active with the Tarpon Springs Middle School, Tarpon Springs Little League, and Tarpon Springs High School Football Boosters.
Practice areas
- Local government law and related litigation
Bar admissions
- United States Supreme Court
- United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida
- Florida
- Georgia
Education
- J.D., Walter F. George School of Law at Mercer University, 1987
- B.A. in History, University of South Florida, 1984
Professional memberships
- Florida Bar
- Local Government Law Section
- Family Law Section
- Georgia Bar
- Clearwater Bar Association
- Florida Municipal Attorneys Association
James L. Yacavone, III
Jim Yacavone joined the firm in December 2005 after practicing for over 28 years with the prominent law firm of Fowler White Boggs Banker, P.A., where he was a partner.
Jim is an experienced trial attorney and has tried numerous jury trials in state and federal court in cases involving issues ranging from automobile negligence and premises liability to discrimination, civil rights violations, and land use litigation. In addition, he has served as a municipal attorney throughout his career.
Practice areas
- Civil litigation defense
- Governmental defense
- Civil rights litigation
- Title VII and ADA litigations
- Land use and zoning litigation
- First Amendment litigation
- Insurance defense
- Premises liability
- City Attorney
Bar admissions
- United States Supreme Court
- United States Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit
- United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida
- Florida, 1976
Education
- J.D., with honors, University of Florida, 1976
- Editor, University of Florida Law Review
- B.A. Gettysburg College, 1971
Professional memberships
- American Bar Association
- Litigation Section
- Local Government Law Section
- Florida Bar
- Local Government Law Section
- The Clearwater Bar Association
- Former Chairman, Local Government Law Committee
- International Association of Defense Counsel
- Florida Defense Lawyers Association
- Florida Municipal Attorneys Association
Contact us today
To schedule a consultation, contact us online or call us at 727.733.0494. We look forward to discussing your case.
