Jay Daigneault

Managing Partner

Call: (727) 733-0494
Email: [email protected]

Practice areas

Jay  leads the firm’s litigation and appellate practices.  He represents municipal and governmental clients in state and federal trial and appellate courts in a wide range of civil disputes. He also provides general representation to municipal boards and legislative bodies. His work includes liability defense, cases arising under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 concerning police liability, land use and development, zoning, and code enforcement. In litigation, his practice focuses on:

• Civil rights litigation
• Civil litigation defense
• Governmental defense
• Land use and zoning litigation
• Insurance defense
• Local government law

Background & Experience

Jay graduated cum laude from Stetson University College of Law and made the honor roll each semester.

Jay currently serves as the City Attorney for the City of Seminole and the Town Attorney for the Town of North Redington Beach, and has served in the past as the City Attorney for the cities of Indian Rocks Beach and Tarpon Springs and the Town Attorney for Kenneth City. Jay also provides general representation to the Clearwater Community Development Board and the Clearwater Building/Flood Board of Adjustment, and has provided legal guidance to the Pinellas Public Library Cooperative. He has lectured on the topics of public records and public meetings law, the Bert J. Harris, Jr. Private Property Rights Protection Act, the federal Fair Housing Act, and police K-9 liability.

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. Jay lives in Belleair with his wife, Lori, and their two daughters.

Representative Opinions

• Mojito Splash, LLC v. City of Holmes Beach, 326 So.3d 137 (Fla. 2d DCA 2021)
  
• City of Holmes Beach v. Coral Escapes of Holmes Beach, LLC, 327 So.3d 361 (Fla. 2d DCA 2021)
  
• Turkali v. City of Safety Harbor, 93 So.3d 493 (Fla. 2d DCA 2012)
• City of Tarpon Springs v. Planes, 30 So.2d 693 (Fla. 2d DCA 2010)
• Griswold v. Hillsborough County, 598 F.3d 1289 (11th Cir. 2010)
• Leib v. Hillsborough County Public Transportation Commission, 558 F.3d 1301 (11th Cir. 2009)
• Pace v. Ahler, 282 Fed. Appx. 769 (11th Cir. 2008)
• Schwarz v. City of Treasure Island, 544 F.3d 1201 (11th Cir. 2008)

Professional memberships

• American Bar Association
  • Local Government Law Section
  • Litigation Section
• Florida Bar Association
  • Local Government Law Section
  • Appellate Law Section
• Florida Municipal Attorneys Association
  • President, 2021-2022
  • Vice President, 2020-2021
  • Treasurer, 2018-2019
  • Steering Committee, 2012-2013, 2022-2024
• Clearwater Bar Association
• Stetson University College of Law Alumni Association

Bar admissions

• Supreme Court of the United States
• United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida
• Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals
• Florida State Courts
• United States Supreme Court

Education

• Stetson University College of Law, J.D., cum laude
  • Stetson Law Review, Senior Associate
• Eckerd College, B.A., History