Larry Dean Smith

I have spent the past 32 years defending global manufacturers, drug and medical device companies, theme parks, insurance companies and businesses of all sizes when they are sued for product liability, personal injury, or premises liability. I have been AV-Preeminent Rated for longer than I care to remember.  I have attained the respect of my peers and inducted into the International Association of Defense Counsel (which, according to its website is comprised of 2,500 invitation-only peer-reviewed world's leading corporate and insurance lawyers), the Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel ("recognized leaders in the legal community who have achieved professional distinction, is dedicated to promoting knowledge, fellowship, and professionalism of its members as they pursue the course of a balanced justice system and represent those in need of a defense in a civil lawsuit"), the Defense Research Institute, the Litigation Counsel of America and other prominent professional organizations.  I have previously been selected as a Florida Legal Elite several times, and have been fortunate enough to have been named a Florida SuperLawyer for the past 8 consecutive years.  Our goal is to maintain a small, collegial boutique law firm in central Florida which understands and responds to the significant litigation needs of the business community in areas of the law we know best.  Our Firm practices throughout the state, in every federal district and major metropolitan area. I am admitted to practice before the Courts of Florida, Alabama, all three U.S. Districts in Florida, the 11th Circuit and the U.S. Supreme Court.  I am an inaugural Certified Litigation Management Professional, certified by the Claims and Litigation Management Alliance, after a focused program at Columbia Law School.  I am a proud 1984 graduate of the University of Alabama School of Law,  and I received my B.S. With Great Honor from the University of North Alabama. Our Firm is dedicated to excellence in representation while doing so in a professional manner.  Since 1999, I have served on the Florida Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism, and served as the Chair of its Diversity Subcommittee an unprecedented 3 times.  I am also deeply committed to, and involved in, diversity and inclusion efforts.  This has led to some recognition, including the 2016 Florida Bar G. Kirk Haas Humanitarian Award, the 2016 Florida Bar Young Lawyer's Diversity Award, the ABA's Section of Litigation  2013 Diversity Leadership Award; The Florida Bar 2013 Henry Latimer Diversity Award; and the 2015 Defense Research Institute Sheryl J. Willert Diversity Pioneer Award.  I was an inaugural recipient of the LCA Peter Perlman Service Award which recognizes  individuals "who contribute in meaningful ways to society by giving back their time and resources in an effort to improve the lives of others."   I serve as the Co-Chair of The Florida Bar Standing Committee on Diversity & Inclusion, I Chair the Orange County Bar Association's Diversity and Inclusion Committee, I serve on The Florida Bar Standing Committee on Professionalism, and I have previously served as Chair of the ABA Section of Litigation Ethics & Professionalism's Diversity Subcommittee.  I have authored a number of articles on professionalism and diversity as well as on substantive topics.  In the latter regard, I serve as Co-Chair of the Product Liability Committee of the Florida Defense Lawyers Association. I haved also served terms on both The Florida Bar Code & Rules of Evidence Committee and the Rules of Civil Procedure Committee, helping write the rules which govern imporant issues in civil litigation.  My goal is to learn, lead, and serve as I advocate for the interests of my clients.