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A. Russell Smith
About A.
Biography
A. Russell Smith is engaged in a trial practice, with emphasis in the areas of criminal defense in the Florida and Federal Courts and complex family litigation. Mr. Smith graduated from the University of South Florida in 1976, and received his Juris Doctor degree from the Spessard Holland Law Center at the University of Florida in 1979. He began his legal career in in 1980 at the Office of the Public Defender for the Fourth Judicial Circuit of Florida, and has now been representing people in complex family law litigation and defending persons accused of crime in the courts of Florida and in the federal courts for more than twenty-eight years.
Mr. Smith served as president of the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers in 2007-2008. He has been a member of FACDL since 1988 and has been a Director and Officer since 1996. He has twice received the FACDL President's Award, the highest award given to members of the Association, and is one of only two lawyers ever to win this prestigious award twice.
Mr. Smith is also a charter member of the Florida Family Law Inn of Court, where he has received the designation of Master, the highest classification which can be bestowed. He has been a Florida Supreme Court Certified Family Mediator for twenty-five years, and during that time, he has helped hundreds of couples and their lawyers find creative solutions to their disputes.
Since 1981, Mr. Smith has served on the Board of Renaissance Behavioral Health Systems, a community-based provider of mental health services to the indigent. He is also a volunteer attorney for the Florida Innocence Initiative and The Innocence Project. He is a graduate of Leadership Jacksonville, and recently retired from the Board of Directors of the Jacksonville Youth Soccer Club.
Mr. Smith has lectured and published on topics including Legal Ethics, The Politics of the Death Penalty, Legislation and the Practice of Law, The Relationship between Lawyers and the Media, Law and Technology, Federal Sentencing, and The Effects of the Criminal Justice System on Families and Children. The Florida Bar has approved his Legal Ethics lecture, Ethical Problems Facing the Small Practice for continuing education credit and he has lectured on the politics of the death penalty at the Center for Policy Alternatives in Washington, D.C. He has appeared as a legal commentator on Court TV and The O'Reilly Factor, and was also a regular guest on The PollCats, a politics and public affairs program which aired on public television for more than ten years.
Practice Areas
4
Practice Areas
Fees and Rates
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in Florida for 45 years
State: Florida
Acquired: 1980
No misconduct found
Location
Law Offices of A. Russell Smith, P.A.
301 West Bay Street, Suite 1461, Jacksonville, FL, 32202
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A. Russell Smith's Reviews
Showing 1 - 5 of 15 client reviews from Avvo
Posted by Eric | May 16, 2019 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Exceptional Attorney
Almost six years ago, I was in a terrible position facing the archaic drug laws for non-violent offenders which contributed to my mental collapse. My first attorney, initials WK, who worked in the Ron Sholes firm stated that he could plea bargain with the State of FL prosecutor's office to 54 years f...
Posted by Robert | April 23, 2019 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Exceptional Representation.
Russell Smith is a terrific attorney for anyone that faces a criminal charge that will effect their life. He did an outstanding job for me and I would recommend his services if you truly need help.
Posted by anonymous | June 30, 2018 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Amazing Juvenile lawyer
I can not say enough about Russell and his office. He takes his time to understand the details of the case, then makes recommendations but also gives you an honest opinion. He was very patient with working with my 10year old daughter and myself as a nervous mom. IN the end my daughter ended up with a...
Posted by anonymous | March 16, 2017 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Worth every penny!
Going into a Family Law case where the other party was unreasonable on every angle, bitter, hateful and greedy we were very worried about our future. Mr. Smith managed to control the entire case with grace and poise. He is very fair to both parties and demands fairness and respect in return. We walke...
Posted by anonymous | December 31, 2015 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Best Defense Attorney
In 2014, my daughter was arrested for a criminal offense. This was her first offense, and she was scared and worried about the outcome. We decided to call Mr. A. Russell Smith to see if he could help us in any way and he agreed to take her case. Throughout the deposition and court hearings, we wer...
A. Russell Smith's Lawyer Endorsements
"Russell is a highly effective mediator. I use him as often as I can for family mediations. I highly recommend him."
"Russell Smith is a great criminal law attorney. His devotion to his clients and cases is a role model to other attorneys. He knows criminal law and works his cases for success for his clients. You are in good hands with Russell Smith as your attorney. David Willis"
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer. Attorney Smith is a true professional and a pillar in the Jacksonville legal community."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I gladly endorse and highly recommend Russell Smith. Attorneys respect him, his clients like him, he knows the law, has years of solid experience and has published dozens and dozens of well written answers to questions at Avvo.com. If you have a question about Criminal Law, he knows the answer. I highly recommend him to you."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer. An outstanding lawyer, leader of the criminal defense bar, sound judgment, calm, balanced, professional --and, most important of all, an all around good guy!!"
"I endorse this lawyer. Mr. Smith is an excellent attorney. His professionalism and knowledge of the law make him a strong advocate for his clients. As a former Assistant State Attorney, I prosecuted several cases where Mr. Smith represented the defendant. He is an excellent attorney."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer. I have know Russell for over 13 years. Met him when I was a young prosecutor in the State Attorney's Office. Is an aggressive, thorough advocate for his clients. Extremely professional."
"Russell is a fantastic attorney who will fight for his clients until the end. He is also a truly respected leader among his peers. I can't recommend him highly enough."
"I endorse this lawyer. I have worked with Mr. Smith and his knowledge and creativity in approaching cases is inspiring. He is truly a lawyer that provokes immense respect for his work."
"I endorse this lawyer."
Jeffrey Davenport
Criminal defense lawyer
Michael Hines
Unknown lawyer
Sonya Rudenstine
Appeals lawyer
D. Doss
Criminal defense lawyer
Experience
Honors
2018
AV Preeminent Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2017
AV Preeminent Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2016
AV Preeminent Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2015
AV Preeminent Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2014
AV Preeminent Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2013
AV Preeminent Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2012
AV Preeminent Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2011
AV Rated, Martindale Hubbell
2010
AV Rated, Martindale Hubbell
2009
AV Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2006
President's Award, Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
2000
President's Award, Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
Work Experience
2018 - Present
Sole shareholder, Law Offices of A. Russell Smith, P.A.
2006 - 2018
Senior Partner, Smith and Haine, P.A.
1985 - 2006
Sole Shareholder, Law Offices of A. Russell Smith, P.A.
1983 - 1985
Partner, Elder and Smith
1980 - 1983
Trial Attorney, Public Defender, Fourth Circuit of Florida
Associations
2003 - Present
Florida Family Law Inn of CourtMaster
1996 - Present
Florida Association of Criminal Defense LawyersOfficer and Director
1993 - Present
Leadership JacksonvilleMember
1993 - Present
Dispute Resolution Center of the Florida State CourtsCertified Family Law Mediator
1984 - Present
United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh CircuitAdmitted to practice
1983 - Present
United States District Court for the Middle District of FloridaAdmitted to practice
1982 - Present
Renaissance Behavioral Health ServicesVolunteer Board Member and Officer
1980 - Present
Florida BarMember
2007 - 2008
Florida Association of Criminal Defense LawyersPresident
Education
1979
University of Florida, Fredric G. Levin College of Law
Juris Doctor
1976
University of South Florida
Bachelor's
Speaking Engagements
2009
Showcase on Sentencing
Showcase on Sentencing
2008
NACDL 2008 Fall Meeting
Ethical Issues in Jury Selection
2000
Summit of the States
Politics of the Death Penalty
Publications
1997
Florida Bar Continuing Legal Education
Ethical Problems Facing the Small Practice
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Answers
Q&A
How can my friend in a Federal Detention Center get rid of his paid attorney and get a new one. Attorney will not communicate.
24 Feb 2019
Q&A
What do i do if i pick the wrong person in a police lineup..... the real suspect told other people that he was actually the one
09 Nov 2018
Q&A
When do court costs become due if I am sentenced to prison?
01 Feb 2018