Lesly Longa VaillancourtManaging Attorney

Lesly Longa Vaillancourt is an experienced and accomplished estate planning and probate attorney in the Tampa Bay area, prepared to personally guide her clients in the process of drafting important legal documents to protect themselves, their loved ones, and their legacy. Lesly is licensed to practice law in Florida, Maryland, and the District of Columbia (inactive). She was appointed Chair of the ABA Estate and Financial Planning Committee (2023-2024), is on the editorial board of the American Bar Association’s GPSolo magazine, and is a past Chair of the Florida Bar Consumer Protection Law Committee. In 2023, Lesly was named a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation, a distinction reserved for just one percent of lawyers licensed in each jurisdiction who have demonstrated outstanding dedication to the highest principles of the legal profession.

Attorney Vaillancourt advises clients on the following:

• Wealth planning and preservation of assets for individuals and families through the creation of customized trust plans.
• Business succession planning, including the transfer of closely held business interests.
• Probate and Trust Administration.
• Representation of personal representatives, trustees, designated representatives, and beneficiaries, with regard to their rights and duties in the administration of estates and trusts, as well as the resolution of disputes among fiduciaries and beneficiaries.
• International Estate Planning.

Lesly is dedicated to sharing knowledge and has authored articles published by the American Bar Association, appeared on national podcasts, and has been featured on Tampa Bay’s Fox 13.  She frequently delivers presentations on estate planning, elder law and consumer protection. During her time as chair of the Florida Bar Consumer Protection Law Committee, Lesly was involved in developing outreach programs to educate Floridians on their legal rights, updating consumer pamphlets available on the Florida Bar’s website, and educating attorneys on consumer issues. Attorney Vaillancourt volunteers with Bay Area Legal Services, and she has earned recognition for her pro bono service from the Supreme Court of Florida. If you are interested in scheduling a time to speak with Attorney Vaillancourt, please do not hesitate to call 813-751-3500 or schedule a time here.

Lesly grew up in Tampa, Florida, and graduated from the Academy of the Holy Names. After earning a B.A. from The American University School of International Service, where she interned with the U.S. Department of State, Lesly began providing legal services in 1999 as a Paralegal handling Hague Convention certification and apostilles for foreign filings. During law school, she clerked with a boutique real estate firm in Boston and a firm of Barristers in London. While at the highly ranked Boston University School of Law, Lesly received a scholarship upon admission, was awarded the top grade in legal research and writing, drafted legislation for a state representative, and earned a position on the scholarly journal of her choice where she served as an editor.

After graduating from law school and passing the Maryland Bar exam, Lesly gained valuable experience as a trial attorney with two civil litigation firms in Washington, D.C., arguing cases against large corporations. She sat for and passed the Florida Bar Exam on her first try prior to relocating to Tampa and opening the Longa Law Firm in 2008. For nearly twenty years, Lesly has used her strong writing skills and broad legal experience to help her clients plan for the future and create enforceable documents that accomplish their goals. Lesly also serves as a professional mediator for families working through difficult transitions.

Lesly also speaks Spanish fluently and has represented foreign nationals in U.S. courts.  Away from the office, Lesly enjoys flamenco dancing and spending time with her family.

Professional Affiliations

Licensed to Practice Law in all state courts of Florida and Maryland

Florida Supreme Court Certified Family Mediator

Certified Elder Mediator

Chair, Estate and Financial Planning Committee, GPSolo, American Bar Association (2023 – 2024); Co-Chair (2021-2023); Vice Chair (2020-2021)

Contributing Author & Editorial Board Member, GPSolo Magazine, American Bar Association (2016 – Present)

Fellow, American Bar Foundation

Member, American Bar Association, Real Property, Probate & Trust Law Section

Member, Florida Bar, Real Property, Probate & Trust Law Section

Member, Cuban American Bar Association

Member, Tampa Bay Hispanic Bar Association

Member, Florida Bar Standing Committee on Diversity and Inclusion (2017-2020)

2016 Graduate, Bar Leadership Institute, Hillsborough County Bar Association

Chair, Consumer Protection Law Committee of the Florida Bar (2015-2016)