Thirteenth Judicial Circuit · M.D. Fla., Tampa Division
Local counsel in Hillsborough County.
Tampa is the largest venue on the Gulf side, state and federal. Whether your matter is in the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit or in federal court, the admission mechanics differ — and in state court both of them need a Florida lawyer to press “file.”
Do I need local counsel in Hillsborough County?
Yes for state court. A case in the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit or the Hillsborough County Court is a Florida state case, so Rule 2.510(a) applies in full: a verified motion, a Florida Bar member associated as attorney of record, $250 to The Florida Bar and $100 to the clerk. For federal purposes Hillsborough County sits in the Middle District of Florida, Tampa Division — which does not require local counsel at all.
Thirteenth Judicial Circuit — state
Middle District of Florida, Tampa Division — federal
What I cover in Hillsborough County
Admission
I sign and file the verified motion in the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit.
Hearings
Motion calendar, special-set hearings, case management and status conferences in Tampa — without a flight from your city.
Filings
Portal formatting, service under Rule 2.516, deadline computation under Rule 2.514, and division-specific practices.
Hillsborough County questions
Do I need local counsel in Hillsborough County?
Yes for state court. A case in the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit or the Hillsborough County Court is a Florida state case, so Fla. R. Gen. Prac. & Jud. Admin. 2.510(a) applies in full: a verified motion, a Florida Bar member associated as attorney of record, $250 to The Florida Bar and $100 to the clerk.
For federal cases, Hillsborough County sits in the Middle District of Florida, Tampa Division. That district does not require local counsel — I will tell you so rather than take an engagement you do not need.
Which judicial circuit is Hillsborough County in?
Hillsborough County is in the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit — a single-county circuit. Hillsborough runs a Complex Business Litigation Division for qualifying commercial cases.
Who files the pro hac vice motion in Hillsborough County?
Local counsel does, in state court. Until The Florida Bar issues your pro hac vice number, every document — including the motion that would admit you — must be e-filed through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal by the Florida attorney designated in the motion.
Can you cover a hearing in Tampa?
Yes — motion calendar, special-set hearings, case management and status conferences, depositions, and second chair at trial, quoted per appearance. Travel outside Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade is identified separately in the quote rather than buried in the rate.
A Hillsborough County matter?
Send the case number and the next hearing date. Conflicts run first, a quote in writing, an answer within one business day.
Retain local counsel in Hillsborough County
Case number, parties, and the next hearing date.