Colby S. Hearn

Colby S. Hearn, who practices law in St. Petersburg, Florida, is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation and Litigation - Real Estate. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Colby is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area

Colby is a trial lawyer, a Florida Qualified Arbitrator, and strategic advisor who practices in state and federal court. He represents individuals and businesses across Florida in high-stakes civil, business, real estate, corporate, negligence, and criminal matters. A former prosecutor with years of jury trial experience, he has secured verdicts and arbitration awards, some resulting in final judgments exceeding $1 million. He combines that courtroom record with the strategy clients rely on to avoid problems before they arise.

How I Help Clients

I represent clients in a broad range of civil, business, corporate, real estate, health care, and commercial litigation matters. My work includes contractual disputes, fiduciary duty disputes, conspiracy claims, brokerage disputes, disclosure disputes, insurance disputes, employment disputes, non-compete and non-solicitation disputes, shareholder and partnership disputes, fraud claims, discrimination claims, professional malpractice and negligence claims, as well as criminal and personal injury matters.

I handle every stage of a dispute, from pre-suit negotiations and pleadings through discovery, depositions, mediations, motion practice, arbitrations, jury trials, and appeals. That same experience allows me to counsel clients before problems arise, by drafting and reviewing various business contracts and agreements, purchase and sale agreements, management and vendor agreements, lease agreements, release agreements, indemnity agreements, and other legal agreements and documents. My goal is to give clients a clear read on their position, candid advice on their options, and disciplined advocacy when a matter needs to be fought.

Litigation and Dispute Resolution

Along with counseling clients in day-to-day business matters, I maintain an active litigation and dispute resolution practice and have advocated in numerous criminal and civil trials and arbitrations involving complex business, commercial, financial, and contractual disputes. My results include victorious jury verdicts and arbitration awards, some of which resulted in final judgments exceeding $1 million.

Additionally, I am a Florida Qualified Arbitrator.

Before founding Hearn Law, I was a partner in the litigation department at Johnson Pope Bokor Ruppel & Burns, LLP, where I practiced for more than eight years.

Trial Experience as a Prosecutor

I began my career serving the people of the State of Florida as an Assistant State Attorney in the Sixth Judicial Circuit for more than three years. As a prosecutor, I litigated thousands of cases, ranging from white-collar crime such as fraud, conspiracy, theft, and embezzlement to violent offenses including first-degree murder, robbery, and aggravated battery. During that time, I brought more than forty jury trials to verdict and advocated before the Grand Jury to a successful indictment in a capital murder case. Based on my record, I was selected as Lead Trial Attorney and received awards for Excellence in Prosecution from RID of Tampa Bay and for Outstanding Service as a Prosecutor.

Teaching Trial Advocacy

In addition to practicing law, I have served as a Trial Advocacy Skills Instructor at Stetson University College of Law. Together with my wife and law partner, Trina Hearn, I coached Stetson’s nationally recognized Trial Team to a first-place finish in the Florida Justice Association's Mock Trial Competition.

About Me

I was born in Ocala, Florida, and I am the youngest of three boys. My dad worked in education and my mom worked in healthcare. From an early age my parents instilled the values that still guide my practice: integrity, diligence, dedication, compassion, and preparation. Those are the same values my wife and law partner, Trina Hearn, and I are passing on to our two young boys and have built into Hearn Law.

I excelled in athletics and academics throughout my youth, and although undersized, I played receiver and special teams for the University of South Florida’s varsity football team. That experience taught me a lesson I bring to every case: what matters is not the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog.

When not working for my clients, I enjoy boating, fishing, hunting and coaching my boy’s youth sports teams.

Distinctions

• Million Dollar Advocates Forum, Life Member, The Top Trial Lawyers in America
• The National Trial Lawyers: Top 100
• The Best Lawyers in America® in Commercial Litigation and Real Estate Litigation 2027
• The Best Lawyers®: Ones to Watch in America, 2025 and 2024
• Super Lawyers Rising Stars, 2024, 2023, and 2022
• Lawyers of Distinction, 2024 and 2023
• Top 50 Lawyers in America, 2024 and 2023
• Florida Top Lawyers, 2024 and 2023
• Top Attorneys in Tampa Bay, 2024, 2023, and 2022
• Victor O. Wehle Trial Advocacy Award
• William F. Blews Pro Bono Service Award
• Excellence in Prosecution, RID of Tampa Bay
• Outstanding Service as a Prosecutor

• Outstanding Service as a Prosecutor

Admissions and Memberships

• The Florida Bar, admitted 2011
• United States District Court, Middle and Southern Districts of Florida
• Florida Qualified Arbitrator
• Phi Delta Phi Legal Honors Fraternity, Member
• Hillsborough County Bar Association, Member
• St. Petersburg Bar Association, Member

  ◦ Former Chair, Civil Trial Section

• St. Petersburg Yacht Club, Member
• The Bulls Varsity Club, Member
  

Education

• Stetson University College of Law, J.D., 2010

  ◦ Stetson Law Review, Senior Associate

  ◦ Stetson Trial Team, Member

  ◦ Academic Honor Roll

  ◦ Concentration in Advocacy

• University of South Florida, B.A., 2006

  ◦ Former Letterman, USF Varsity Football

  ◦ Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll