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Gladys DeJesus Smith-Mangan
About Gladys
Biography
I have been involved in the legal field since 1998, when I began my career as a receptionist at Wendy L. Aikin, P.A. I've worked in various areas over the years, including three years at Gray-Robinson, P.A., and a year at Egan, Lev & Siwica, P.A. However, my passion and the majority of my experience are in family law. I opened my private practice in 2010 and have chosen to focus my solely on family law, with a particular focus on children's issues.
I have always had a passion for advocating for children, victims and the disadvantaged. Prior to becoming an attorney, I volunteered with Junior Achievements, in classrooms, as a youth group advisor for teens, and various other volunteer children's activities. During my legal carrer, I have served through the Orange County Bar's Legal Aid Society as a volunteer Guardian ad Litem, as well as being a teen court volunteer. I serve on various committees through the Orange County Bar as well as the Florida Bar, and am a member of the Central Florida Family Law American Inns of Court, which is an invitation-only organization which extends membership invitiations only to practitioners who exhibit a high level of integrity and professionalsm.
I attempt to resolve matters with minimal litigation and expense to clients, and consider it critical to conduct business in an ethical and professional manner. However, I will not hesitate to take matters to the courtroom if the circumstances warrant it. Since we are a small solo practice law firm, you will have direct contact with the attorney on a regular basis, and you can be assured that your case will be handled with care, compassion and efficiency.
Practice Areas
4
Practice Areas
Fees and Rates
Cost
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in Florida for 17 years
State: Florida
Acquired: 2008
No misconduct found
Location
DeJesus Smith-Mangan, P.A.
1801 N. Econlockhatchee Trail, #679414, Orlando, FL, 32867-2612
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Gladys DeJesus Smith-Mangan's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
9 Client Reviews
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Practice Areas
Showing 1 - 3 of 3 reviews | General Knowledge
Posted by anonymous | October 22, 2014 | Divorce & Separation
Worst attorney I have dealt with!!!!!!
Gladys is a awful lawyer! Do not take your time, money and legal issues with her. She was a BIG waste of time and money I have ever spent on an attorney. I hired her to represent me for a divorce and she was unresponsive, hard to get a hold of ( takes weeks to get back to you) and on top of it did ab...
Gladys Smith-Mangan
Replied last October 22, 2014I'm sorry to hear you were disappointed by your experience with my firm. While I am not able to address most of your concerns specifically, as I am careful to respect attorney/client privilege, I will respond vaguely to your concerns. First, If a person is not satisfied with his/her attorney, he/she should not wait more than three years to resolve the issues. If speaking directly with the attorney does not help, a client should immediately seek counsel he/she is satisfied with. Generally speaking, if a client does not feel a case is progressing, some common causes are: if the client doesn't provide me with the information I need in a timely manner (some clients have taken a year or more); if the client has me tending to other cases or matters instead of the one I was initially hired for (which I am usually kind enough to try to include, rather than force an additional retainer for each separate case); client's information fluctuates, so that the information has to keep being changed, as in a case where a client changes employment status or positions, or otherwise changes his/her income. While absent circumstances such as the above, there should be no reason for delay, I will acknowledge that I personally have, indeed, had to deal with extensive medical issues which have caused some delays. I have, however, been open and honest with my clients in this regard at all times, including offering to assist in transferring the case to another attorney if their matter was urgent and they so desired. I have also stopped taking on new clients, as my health continues to be at issue, and the matter has been referred to a research hospital. While I was also honest with my clients when I filed for a divorce, because I am a family law attorney and thought my clients would appreciate that I'm gaining additional personal experience that will help me to better understand their positions, my divorce has been largely amicable, as has been relayed to my clients, and has not been a source of delay in any client's proceedings. Regarding your concern about knowing how to schedule mediation, while no special knowledge as an attorney is required to schedule one, I can tell you that each department has its own procedures for scheduling. For example, one county here allows you to coordinate a date with the opposing side and then call to coordinate it. Another county, however, requires you to leave a message, and returns your call within a few days. If that county wants more information prior to scheduling, rather than return a call, they often send a letter stating what information they want, and no mediation is scheduled until those things are complied with. I assure you, if there was any delay in scheduling mediation, it was due to one of these circumstances, and I'm sure I would have made that clear to any client. Finally, with regard to my software program, I would very happily confirm that I did offer several clients the opportunity to try a new software program I had, which allowed them to directly access the financial program I use to enter information for my review. This allows clients more control and knowledge over what information is being entered, helps them organize the same, allows them to ask questions, and allows me to review what they have entered so that I can clarify information and/or make corrections prior to finalizing actual documents for filing. Most clients who used this feature appreciated the opportunity, and if any client had stated they did not wish to use it, I certainly would not have asked them to. I often try to avail myself of and/or recommend software programs and any other tools which will help my clients and their cases. This is usually an asset to the firm and to the respective clients. I regret that you felt burdened by the opportunity to try the software. Again, if you have additional or specific questions regarding your case, I am happy to answer them directly.
Posted by anonymous | October 25, 2013 | Lawsuits & Disputes
Not reccomended
This lawyer was unable to answers three questions right, I have to called the court and read through the constitution to find my answers. If I email her she takes a week to reply, phone did not work for weeks and no communication from her at all. In times with all the evidence I had on my favor she t...
Gladys Smith-Mangan
Replied last November 04, 2013Thank you for your feedback regarding your experience with me as your attorney. I'm sorry you were so disappointed by my representation, and would be happy to discuss your concerns with you. You are paying for services and should be happy with the services you are receiving. I have handled over 100 family law cases and have consistently received positive reviews, so I'm unable to determine who you are, or to address your concerns directly, unless you discuss them with me. Please feel free to let me know how I can better meet your needs. Most importantly, please let me know what information you believe I have provided that is not correct. This is not a concern that has ever been raised by one of my clients, and I would like to discuss the issue, and clarify any misunderstanding or misinformation, if any was provided. Regarding your concern about my doubting evidence or proof you have provided, it is sometimes the case, unfortunately, that I have to explain to clients that the other party has a better position, or that the client's own position or evidence isn't likely to succeed. If I tell you that the evidence you are providing is not likely to help you obtain the relief you desire, it does not mean I am taking the other party's side, though it may feel that way. It is my job to give you legal advice based on my experience, and I have significant experience in family law, having worked in this field for most of the 15 years I've been in the legal field and the five years I've been a practicing attorney. At times, clients are disappointed when I explain something, especially if the explanation is not the answer they hoped to receive. While I understand it is disappointing to hear that evidence you believe will prove something is not likely to do so, or that it is not likely to be admitted by the Court, I wouldn't be doing my job if I didn't tell my clients this in advance, and try to prevent the presentation of evidence I know will harm their position, or will not be accepted. Presenting it anyway not only makes the client's position appear poor, but it also gives the appearance that the attorney wasn't already aware of what evidence was admissible or appropriate. This is not a position you or I want to be in. Often there is evidence that WILL prove a particular point, and the point is important to a client for a variety of reasons, one of which is often the emotional element of family law. However, proving the particular point may not accomplish anything from a legal perspective. Sometimes clients simply want their "day in court" and want the other person to have to admit they did something terrible, and this is understandable. However, courts do not approve of presenting evidence that has no legal basis or remedy, as it takes up time that serves no legitimate legal purpose and could have been used for another hearing, at a time when the courts are already significantly backed up due to financial cutbacks. Finally, it is true that in moving offices, I had some technical difficulties with my telephone lines. This lasted one day the first week, and was resolved by the end of the day once I was notified by another attorney via email that the new line wasn't working. There was also a problem over the weekend that was resolved by 10:00 a.m. Unfortunately, transitions such as moving offices will cause temporary difficulties such as these, and since this was my first move after four years in the prior office, it was a new experience for me. I apologize for any delays caused by the move and assure you the new office is up and running with the new numbers you should have been provided as a current client. Again, the new telephone number is (407) 960-5688. If there is anything more I can address, or you want to discuss your specific case, please feel free to contact me directly so that I can determine how to better meet your needs.
Posted by anonymous | April 24, 2011
Honest, Fair & Dedicated
Want someone who will give you honest, straightforward answers? Want someone who understands your needs and will work with you to get there? Want someone who will get you answers, and in a timely manner? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you need to see Gladys. She and her assis...
Gladys DeJesus Smith-Mangan's Lawyer Endorsements
"I endorse this lawyer. She's great! I highly endorse her!"
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I highly endorse Attorney Gladys Smith-Mangan. She honestly cares about her clients and their problems, and will do everything in her power to make things right for them. If I ever came across a family law case that I didn't want to handle myself, I'd refer it to her."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I highly recommend and endorse Mrs. DeJesus Smith-Mangan for all your Family Law needs; she is definitely the attorney you want in your side."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer. Attorney Smith-Mangan cares for each one of her clients. She is passionate and researches every detail. I am honored to call her my colleague as well as my friend."
"I endorse this lawyer. She has the knowledge and experience handling a variety of issues. While a caring and compassionate in her approach; she is also a very strong and zealous advocate for her clients."
"Gladys is able to help her clients not only clarify and articulate their goals, but to work productively toward achieving them. She is always courteous and respectful, but at the same time she knows how to keep conversations on track and as brief as possible, something that is essential in the practice of family law."
"I endorse this lawyer. Hard worker and cares about her clients."
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Experience
Honors
2012
Pro Bono Award, Orange County Legal Aid Society
2011
Pro Bono Award, Legal Aid Society of Orange County
2010
Oustanding Pro Bono Award, Orange County Legal Aid Society
2009
Pro Bono Award, Legal Aid Society of Orange County
Work Experience
2010 - Present
Owner/Attorney, DeJesus Smith-Mangan, P.A.
2006 - 2010
Associate Attorney/Law Clerk/Paralegal, LaGamba Law Firm, P.L.
2004 - 2005
Paralegal, Rotech, Inc.
2003 - 2004
Law Clerk, Egan, Lev & Siwica, P.A.
2000 - 2003
Legal Secretary, Gray Robinson, P.A.
1998 - 1999
Receptionist/Scheduling Secretary, Wendy L. Aikin, P.A.
Associations
2012 - Present
Central Florida Family Law American Inn of CourtAssociate Member
2012 - Present
Central Florida Association for Women LawyersMember
2012 - Present
Orange County Bar Association, Professionalism CommitteeMember
2010 - Present
Orange County Bar Legal Aid Society, Guardian ad Litem ProgramGuardian ad Litem
2009 - Present
Orange County Bar AssociationMember
2009 - Present
Orange County Bar Association, Family Law SectionMember
2008 - Present
Florida Bar, Family Law SectionMember
2008 - Present
Florida BarMember
Education
2005
Barry University Dwayne O. Andreas School of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
1998
University of Central Florida
BA - Bachelor of Arts
Speaking Engagements
2012
Criminal Justice Ethics Class
Attorney Ethics
2010
Gay Adoption Upheld... Now What?
Gay Adoption
Languages
English
Spanish
Activity
Legal Answers