Scott William Smiley

Scott William Smiley

4.7
Rating: 9.7

Licensed for 34 years

Divorce and separation Lawyer at Tallahassee, FL
Practice Areas: Divorce & Separation, Family, Child Custody ... +2 more

1330 Thomasville Rd, Tallahassee, FL

About Scott

Biography

Practice Areas

Fees and Rates

We have not found any cost information for this lawyer


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Licenses

Licensed in Florida for 34 years

State: Florida

Acquired: 1991

Member in Good Standing

No misconduct found

Location

Thompson, Crawford & Smiley, PA

1330 Thomasville Rd, Tallahassee, FL, 32303-5608

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Scott William Smiley's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.7 /5.0

25 Client Reviews

Filter Avvo Reviews (25) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.

Showing 16 - 20 of 25 reviews

Posted by Jennifer | May 01, 2017 | Child Custody

Unethical, horrible lawyer

I had a consultation with Mr. Smiley in July 2016 during which he told me my out-of-state grandparent visitation order was void b/c of being against Florida law and that I could "do whatever I want" in regards to following the order. He wouldn't allow me to retain his services and assured me that if ...a suit was instigated in the other state, I could dismiss it for lack of jurisdiction and pursue it in FL. Following his advice led me to being held in contempt of court and fined over $7000. When I called his office while the contempt proceeding was occurring, his staff told me he wouldn't be able to help me unless the matter was in a FL court.

Posted by anonymous | April 14, 2016 | Hired Attorney | Family

Restoration Man

Scott Smiley took on my exhaustingly contentious ex spouse and the opposing unscrupulous, unethical attorney head on. Not once did he overlook the smallest detail. He was 5 steps ahead of the opposing counsel and is expert in cutting through extraneous information. He is honest and never once promise...d an outcome he couldn't deliver. Because of this, Scott Smiley has given me a renewed sense of hope that family law attorneys who possess integrity and morality DO exist. Scott is a divorce attorney who actually practices with justice, knows the law and will work to protect his client with confidence and vigilant strength. I highly recommend Scott Smiley.

Posted by Jeff | August 20, 2015 | Hired Attorney | Family

The Best Family Attorney I have EVER KNOWN

In my many years of experience in dealing with numerous attorneys, both through my work and personally, I have had the pleasure to know quite a few High Character, Highly Competent Attorneys, serving in a variety of areas. Scott Smiley, without question, is the BEST. His communication level, his st...aff, (especially his right hand Ms Hagood), his expertise, is on a level I have yet to experience or have seen, whether personally, or through my many friends and deep network. His fees are fair, his research and preparation A+, and his Professionalism, unmatched, in this most important and sensitive area, Family Law. I truly ENDORSE Scott Smiley with my strongest recommendation. If you need Truth to Prevail, if you need sensitivity without the fluff, and DO DESERVE the Results that deep in your heart, you SHOULD RECEIVE, then contact Scott at 386-5777. This is my 1st Avco review, yet I was compelled to write after my experiences with Scott and his fine staff this year.

Posted by Joanne | February 11, 2015 | Divorce & Separation

Tough attorney with a big heart.

I hired Scott Smiley to handle my daughter's complicated and difficult divorce case. He was very thorough and very much able to handle this case. He was strong in court, but in the office he is a very caring person who is there for his clients. His assistant is capable of handling anything that co...mes her way. This is a very professional law office and am blessed that we found him through this web site. I highly recommend him.

Posted by Karen | April 29, 2014 | Family

Scott Smiley -- an experienced, knowledgeable and ethical attorney.

Scott Smiley is by far the leading family and general practice attorney in the State of Florida. Scott's thorough knowledge and application of the law provides a level of confidence client's need during difficult life situations. While taking a calm, dedicated and compassionate approach to each case,... Scott brings to the table a tenacious, energetic and unsurpassed ability to persuasively advocate for his client's welfare without losing sight of what should be accomplished in the best interests of the family as a whole. Scott Smiley's clients can be assured they will receive prompt and professional attention and service from an experienced attorney with kind maturity, integrity and high ethical standards.

See All Client Reviews

Scott William Smiley's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Scott
Gregg Matthew Goldfarb headshot
Gregg Goldfarb

Divorce and separation lawyer | Jul 13

Relationship: Friend

"I have know Mr. Smiley professionally and as a close and trusted friend for decades. High integrity trustworthy bright compassionate are just a few of his traits. I highly recommend calling him first for any family matters."

Kirsten Lee Dunton headshot
Kirsten Dunton

Family lawyer | May 29

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I have worked with Scott on family law matters as opposing counsel on cases in my office and recently as a mediator and fully endorse this lawyer. He responds quickly, is easy to work with, and advocates for his clients while being a professional with opposing counsel. I recently completed a mediation of a complicated support issue with him and he went above and beyond to provide the appropriate information to assist my client in making good decisions and wrote up a thorough and well done settlement agreement."

Michael S. Waddington headshot
Michael Waddington

Family lawyer | Jun 04

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse Scott. He is a highly skilled attorney that is well respected in the legal community."

Luke Newman headshot
Luke Newman

Family lawyer | Nov 08

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I emphatically endorse Mr. Smiley. I have been opposing counsel in Legal Aid matters which were complex and unpleasant. I don't know if I've ever endorsed former opposing counsel. Following our unfortunate, mutual case; I send my friends to Smiley due to a significant level of trust and respect which he has EARNED. I have never heard a bad word about Mr. Smiley even though he practices family law which is notoriously acrimonious. He is beyond "well respected" by family division practitioners and judges in Tallahassee. He's a pro and a nice guy as well."

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Kirsten Lee Dunton headshot
Kirsten Dunton

Family lawyer

Gregg Matthew Goldfarb headshot
Gregg Goldfarb

Personal injury lawyer

Experience

Rating:  9.7 (Superb)

Honors

2020

AV Preeminent Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

2017

AV Preeminent Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

2016

AV Preeminent Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

2016

Best in Tallahassee, Tallahassee Magazine

2015

AV Peer Review Rating, Martindale-Hubbell

2015

Best in Tallahassee - Law Firm, Tallahassee Magazine

2014

AV Peer Review Rating, Martindale-Hubbell

2014

Peoples Choice, AVVO

2014

Best in Tallahassee, Tallahassee Magazine

2013

AV Peer Review Rating, Martindale-Hubbell

2012

AV Peer Review Rating, Martindale-Hubbell

2011

AV Peer Review Rating, Martindale-Hubbell

2010

AV Peer Review Rating, Martindale-Hubbell

2009

AV Peer Review Rating, Martindale-Hubbell

2007

Peoples Choice - Law Firm of the Year, Tally Awards

1993

Community Service Award, Legal Services of No. Florida

Work Experience

1994 - Present

Managing Partner, Thompson, Crawford & Smiley, PA

1991 - 1994

Partner, Webster & Smiley

Associations

2007 - Present

International Association of Defense Counsel

Member

2000 - Present

Tallahassee Bar Association

Member

2000 - Present

Florida Bar, Family Law Section

Member

1991 - 2000

American Bar Association

Member

Sample of Legal Cases

Grant v. Grant, 14-2799

Affirmed

Sandridge, Wife v. Suarez, Leon 2007 DR 2275

Affirmed

Armstrong v. Armstrong, Leon 2007 DR 1297

Affirmed

Jernigan v. Jernigan, Leon, 1997-DR-850

Affirmed

Brandt Estate, Alachua, 91-300-CP

overturned

See More Legal Cases

Education

1991

Florida State University College of Law

JD - Juris Doctor

1988

Vanderbilt University

BA - Bachelor of Arts

Speaking Engagements

2015

BNI

Equitable Division in Florida

2007

Tallahassee Bar Association

Family Law Proceedure

Publications

2010

CLE Course Outline/Presentation Equitable Division in Florida

Languages

English

Activity

Avvo Rating

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  • Experience & background Years licensed, work experience, education
  • Legal community recognition Peer endorsements, associations, awards
  • Legal thought leadership Publications, speaking engagements
  • Discipline Disciplinary information may not be comprehensive, or updated. We recommend that you always check a lawyer's disciplinary status with their respective state bar association before hiring them.
Avvo Rating Levels
10.0 - 9.0 Superb8.9 - 8.0 Excellent7.9 - 7.0 Very Good6.9 - 6.0 Good5.9 - 5.0 Average4.9 - 4.0 Concern3.9 - 3.0 Caution2.9 - 2.0 Strong Caution1.9 - 1.0 Extreme Caution