ED SUAREZ

Ed Suarez is a Tampa criminal and False Claims Act defense attorney who has tried more than one hundred cases in nearly forty years of practice. He defends corporations and individuals facing False Claims Act investigations, white-collar criminal charges, and complex federal and state prosecutions throughout Florida and federal courts nationwide. 

Clients turn to Ed for high-stakes cases requiring trial experience and strategic precision. He has secured a full acquittal in a death-penalty case, won immunity in multiple Stand Your Ground homicide prosecutions, and tried multiple fraud cases lasting nearly a month. His courtroom skills, particularly in cross-examination and closing arguments, have earned him recognition from judges, opposing counsel, and clients. 

Ed handles the full spectrum of federal and state criminal defense work: False Claims Act violations, healthcare fraud, securities fraud, money laundering, tax offenses, and other white-collar prosecutions. He also defends clients in serious state cases. His negotiation skills have resolved many cases before trial, but he remains a committed trial lawyer when cases must be fought.  

A long-time Tampa resident, Ed began as a prosecutor in Florida’s Thirteenth Judicial Circuit, where he built a reputation for meticulous preparation and courtroom skills. He later joined one of Florida’s premier trial firms, where he refined the client-centered approach that has defined his practice for more than three decades. 

Today, Ed focuses on guiding clients through complex criminal, regulatory, and high-risk litigation. He anticipates challenges, identifies nuanced issues, and crafts defense strategies tailored to each case. His work extends beyond traditional trial practice: he has mastered eDiscovery platforms and leverages emerging technology, such as AI tools, to analyze evidence, research legal issues, and prepare for trial. 

Ed writes regularly on legal and technical developments in criminal defense and False Claims Act litigation. The legal community has recognized his work with multiple honors: Best Lawyers in America —including two Lawyer of the Year designations—in white-collar criminal defense, general criminal defense, False Claims Act defense, and commercial litigation. He has also been recognized by Super Lawyers, holds the highest Martindale-Hubbell and Avvo ratings, and was named a Band 3 lawyer by Chambers and Partners. He has also received the Hillsborough County Bar Association Trial Lawyers Section’s James H. Kynes Memorial “In the Trenches” Award for excellence in criminal litigation and the Marcelino “Bubba” Huerta III Award for service and professionalism.