Attorney Profile
Relentless Advocacy.Rooted in Justice.
Grace Casagrande, Esq.
Criminal defense in Tampa Bay and Central Florida.
- English
- Español
Criminal defense attorney
Grace Casagrande, Esq. is a dedicated criminal defense attorney serving the Tampa Bay Area and Central Florida who focuses on defending individuals accused of crimes. She is a relentless advocate who is not afraid to take cases to trial and fight aggressively for her clients’ freedom, reputation, and future.
The Record
Bradenton to the Ninth Judicial Circuit.
Three chapters, told in the order they happened — education abroad and at home, legal training in the clinics, then the courtrooms of Central Florida and Tampa Bay.
Chapter I
Bradenton · St. Louis · Nicaragua
Education & Early Career
Grace grew up in Bradenton, Florida, and earned her bachelor's degree from Saint Louis University with a double major in Social Work and International Studies and a minor in Spanish and International Business.
She lived in Nicaragua, where she studied at La Universidad Centroamericana and taught English in public schools, and she worked with immigrant and refugee communities in St. Louis.
Education details
- Bachelor's degree, Saint Louis University
- Double major: Social Work and International Studies
- Minor: Spanish and International Business
- Studied at La Universidad Centroamericana, Nicaragua
- Taught English in Nicaraguan public schools
- Worked with immigrant and refugee communities in St. Louis
Chapter II
St. Louis
Legal Training
She earned her Juris Doctor from Washington University School of Law in St. Louis, where her focus included criminal defense, post-conviction work and immigration law.
Her training came through internships with the Missouri State Public Defender's Office and Arch City Defenders, and through the Washington University Immigration Law Clinic and the Phillips Black Post-Conviction Law Clinic.
Training details
- Juris Doctor, Washington University School of Law in St. Louis
- Focus: criminal defense, post-conviction work, immigration law
- Missouri State Public Defender's Office internships
- Arch City Defenders
- Washington University Immigration Law Clinic
- Phillips Black Post-Conviction Law Clinic
Chapter III
Orlando · Tampa Bay
Public Defender & Criminal Defense
As an Assistant Public Defender in the Ninth Judicial Circuit in Orange County, Grace represented more than 700 clients in misdemeanor and felony matters.
Those matters included DUI, theft, driving while license suspended, aggravated assault, drug possession and trafficking, dealing in stolen property and felony battery. She has continued that work in private criminal-defense practice, including trial work.
Practice experience
- Assistant Public Defender, Ninth Judicial Circuit, Orange County
- More than 700 clients represented
- Misdemeanor and felony matters
- DUI · Theft · Driving while license suspended
- Aggravated assault · Felony battery
- Drug possession and trafficking · Dealing in stolen property
- Private criminal-defense practice and trial work
The Philosophy
The State carries the burden.Every case is built to make it prove one.
- Trial-ready
- Every case is prepared as though it is going to trial, because that preparation is what changes outcomes.
- Aggressive litigation
- Aggressive litigation paired with clear, candid communication about where a case actually stands.
- The State's burden
- The State is held to its burden of proof at every stage of the case.
- Bilingual advocacy
- Fully bilingual representation, so Spanish-speaking clients are never a step behind their own case.
English Español
As a fully bilingual advocate, she is proud to provide Florida’s Spanish-speaking community with a formidable defense.
Professional Credentials
Professional credentials.
- 01Florida BarMember
- 02Orange County Bar AssociationMember
- 03Central Florida Association of Criminal Defense LawyersMember
- 04The Florida Bar Criminal Law SectionMember
- 05Hillsborough County Bar AssociationMember
- 06St. Petersburg Bar AssociationMember