Laura Davis Smith

Laura Davis Smith

3.4
Rating: 10.0

Licensed for 30 years

Family Lawyer at Coral Gables, FL
Practice Areas: Family

300 Sevilla Avenue, Suite 309, Coral Gables, FL

About Laura

Biography

Practice Areas

1

Practice Area

Fees and Rates

Cost

Hourly Rates

$ 250-500 per hour

Retainer

Sometimes


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card

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Licenses

Licensed in Georgia for 18 years

State: Georgia

Acquired: 2007

Active Member in Good Standing

No misconduct found

Licensed in Florida for 28 years

State: Florida

Acquired: 1997

Member in Good Standing

No misconduct found

Licensed in Massachusetts for 30 years

State: Massachusetts

Acquired: 1995

Active

No misconduct found

Location

Davis Smith & Jean, LLC

300 Sevilla Avenue, Suite 309, Coral Gables, FL, 33134

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Laura Davis Smith's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

3.4 /5.0

10 Client Reviews

5 star (6)
4 star (0)
3 star (0)
2 star (0)
1 star (4)

Posted by anonymous | November 28, 2025 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Based on my experience, I strongly do not recommend this attorney or this firm.

I am writing this review in general terms, without going into the details of my case, and based solely on my personal experience as someone who hired Laura Davis Smith / Davis Smith & Sonja Jean, LLC. Unfortunately, my overall experience was very negative. I did not feel supported, informed, or prope...rly guided during the representation, and I did not receive the level of professionalism I expected.

Posted by anonymous | October 16, 2025 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

My experience raised serious concerns about honesty and transparency.

My experience with attorney Laura Davis Smith was extremely disappointing. In my opinion, she did not demonstrate the professionalism, fairness, or ethical standards that clients deserve in family law cases. Throughout my interactions, I observed conduct that raised serious concerns about transparenc...y and integrity. She appeared more focused on protecting certain interests than on ensuring a fair and balanced process. Communication was poor, important issues were ignored, and it often felt like the case was being handled in a biased or predetermined manner rather than based on the facts or the law. I expected a family attorney to uphold honesty and objectivity, but unfortunately, that was not my experience. Based on what I personally witnessed, I cannot recommend her services to anyone seeking a fair and ethical representation in family court matters.

Posted by Norma Aguilar | October 11, 2025 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Laura Davis Smith is compassionate and professional

Laura Davis Smith is the best. She is compassionate, understanding and professional. She helped me and my parents with a legal matter andew weeks ago. She handled all communication with opposing attorney and kept in contact with us during the whole time. My parents and myself had peace of mind during... and after the whole ordeal. She has been nothing but the best during our first ever legal matter. Thank you Laura for being so great.

Posted by anonymous | October 11, 2025 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Highly recommended!!

Found myself need a good reliable attorney to handle my divorce. She was very reliable and handled my case promptly while also protecting my finances as well. Thank you!

Posted by anonymous | August 30, 2025 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

I cannot recommend Laura Davis Smith.

My experience with attorney Laura Davis Smith was very disappointing. I hired her expecting professionalism, strong communication, and quality representation, but what I encountered was the complete opposite. She was unresponsive, dismissive of my concerns, and I never felt she truly had my best inte...rests in mind. For the cost of her services, I expected clear guidance, accountability, and respect. Instead, I experienced poor communication, lack of transparency, and little value in return. Legal representation should provide confidence and trust, but unfortunately, she fell far short of those standards. Based on my experience, I cannot recommend Laura Davis Smith. If you are looking for an attorney who will provide professionalism, quality, and reliability, I strongly suggest looking elsewhere.

See All Client Reviews

Laura Davis Smith's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Laura
Nicole Alvarez headshot
Nicole Alvarez

Family lawyer | Oct 10

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Laura is a great lawyer and mediator."

Adelmis Bohigas Naderpour headshot
Adelmis Naderpour

Family lawyer | Feb 16

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Ms. Davis Smith is highly respected and recognized in the legal community as an expert in the field of family law. She is a compassionate lawyer that cares about her clients and zealously represents their interests with integrity and civility. She has earned my respect and admiration."

Chantale Leif Suttle headshot
Chantale Suttle

Divorce and separation lawyer | Feb 07

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"There are but a few who can match her brilliance and demeanor. I cannot say she is respected, because she is REVERED in the legal community."

Maria Llado McMillan headshot
Maria McMillan

Family lawyer | Feb 09

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Laura Davis Smith is a Board Certified attorney who specializes in complex marital law litigation. Her wealth of knowledge in the field is an incomparable asset to her clients. That said, not only is she a skilled litigator, but she is also quite an effective mediator and Guardian at Litem. Ms Davis Smith is honest, straightforward, compassionate and wise. I whole heartedly endorse Laura Davis Smith."

Richard Joseph Preira headshot
Richard Preira

Family lawyer | Aug 21

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Laura Davis Smith is the gold standard in Family Law. She is accomplished, informed and skilled both in the courtroom and mediation room. I have worked w her, against her, mediated for her, etc. None better."

Cristina A. Cossio headshot
Cristina Cossio

Mediation lawyer | Aug 16

Relationship: Other

"I endorse this lawyer. We hired Ms. Davis Smith as the mediator for a highly contested dissolution of marriage case. She was patient, knowledgeable and was able to resolve the case."

Aileen Marie Fernandez Mesa headshot
Aileen Mesa

Family lawyer | Jan 12

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Laura is incredibly knowledgeable, professional and courteous. She gives back to the community is so many ways. I enthusiastically endorse this lawyer."

Ana Martin-Lavielle headshot
Ana Martin-Lavielle

Family lawyer | May 12

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I wholeheartedly endorse Laura Davis Smith. She is not only an extremely knowledgeable, ethical and experienced attorney but one with great integrity and humanity!"

Margarita Arango Moore headshot
Margarita Moore

Family lawyer | Dec 17

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. I have known Laura Davis Smith as a fellow lawyer for several years. Laura is brilliant yet completely unassuming. Any client that employs her gets one of the best and most knowable family lawyers in South Florida. She is also an extremely caring person that puts her heart and soul into everything she does and your case will be no different. It is a pleasure to endorse and I do so without any hesitation."

Harold Bluestein headshot
Harold Bluestein

Divorce and separation lawyer | Nov 18

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"I endorse this lawyer. Ms. Davis Smith is an excellent attorney and her ethics are of the very highest standard."

View All Endorsements
Maria Llado McMillan headshot
Maria McMillan

Family lawyer

Richard Joseph Preira headshot
Richard Preira

Family lawyer

Scott Leonard Rubin headshot
Scott Rubin

Family lawyer

Terry L. Fogel headshot
Terry Fogel

Family lawyer

Christy Lyn Hertz headshot
Christy Hertz

Family lawyer

Vanessa Alexandra Vasquez de Lara headshot
Vanessa de Lara

Family lawyer

Experience

Rating:  10.0 (Superb)

Honors

2025

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2024

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2023

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2022

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2021

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2020

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2019

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2018

Best Lawyer, Marital & Family Law, Best Lawyers

2018

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers Magazine

2017

Best Lawyer, Marital & Family Law, Best Lawyers

2017

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers Magazine

2017

Family "Lawyer of the Year", Best Lawyers

2016

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers Magazine

2016

Above and Beyond Award, The Florida Bar, Family Law Section

2016

Selected for Inclusion, Best Lawyers

2015

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers Magazine

2014

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers Magazine

2014

Certification Review Seminar Award, Florida Bar, Family Law Section

2014

Executive Committee Award, Florida Bar, Family Law Section

2014

Above and Beyond Award, Florida Bar, Family Law Section

2013

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers Magazine

2013

Keeper of the Flame Award, The Family Law Section of The Florida Bar

2012

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers Magazine

2012

Award for Publications Committee, The Family Law Section of The Florida Bar

2011

Keeper of the Flame Award, Florida Bar, Family Law Section

2008

Listed,

2007

Listed,

2006

Listed,

2005

Listed,

2004

Listed,

Work Experience

1998 - 2017

Attorney, Greene, Smith & Associates, P.A.

1995 - 1997

Associate, White, Inker, Aronson, PC

Associations

2017 - Present

The Florida Bar, Family Law Section

Immediate Past Chair

2017 - Present

The Florida Bar, Family Law Section, Marital and Family Law Certification Committee

Member

2017 - Present

The Florida Bar, Family Law Section

Chair of the Health & Wellness Ad Hoc Committee

2008 - Present

The Florida Bar, Family Law Section

Executive Council Member

1998 - Present

American Bar Association, Family Law Section

Member

2016 - 2017

The Florida Bar, Family Law Section

Chair

2016 - 2017

KidSide, Miami

President

2015 - 2016

The Florida Bar, Family Law Section

Chair Elect

2014 - 2015

The Florida Bar, Family Law Section

Treasurer

2013 - 2014

The Family Law Section of the Florida Bar

Secretary

2013 - 2017

KidSide, Miami

Board Member

2011 - 2013

Coral Gables Congregational Church

Board Member, Spiritual Formation

2002 - 2004

Cuban American Bar Association

Member

1999 - 2003

First Family American Inn of Court

Member

Sample of Legal Cases

Barassi v. Barassi

Settled!

Heiden v. Heiden

Successfully settled at mediation!

Alonso v. Picos

Settled!

Gonzalez v. Gonzalez

Parties were divorced, and Mother relocated with the child subject to a very comprehensive timesharing arrangement.

See More Legal Cases

Education

1995

Northeastern University School of Law

JD - Juris Doctor

1990

University of Massachusetts

BA - Bachelor of Arts

Speaking Engagements

2016

Leadership Retreat

Taking Proper Minutes

2015

Trial Advocacy Workshop

Preserving your Record for Appeal

2014

Guardian ad Litem or Attorney ad Litem: Making informed decisions about the lives of children

Guardians and Attorneys Ad Litem

2013

University of Miami School of Law, Mediation Class

Alimony Legislation

2013

The Mechanics of Board Certification

Board Certification

2013

Marital & Family Law Trial Advocacy Workshop

Trial Advocacy

2010

Marital & Family Law Review Course

Child Support

Publications

2008

South Florida Legal Guide Moving with Children After Divorce

2007

South Florida Legal Guide But I Thought Florida was a 'No-Fault' Divorce State....

2006

South Florida Legal Guide Alimony and the Effects of a 'Supportive Relationship' as Set Forth in Chapter 61.14, Florida Statutes

2005

South Florida Legal Guide Equitable Distribution: It's Time to Divide The Marital Estate, But Using Values as of What Date?

2004

South Florida Legal Guide Art of The Airtight Antenuptial

2003

South Florida Legal Guide Stock Options in Divorce: Assets or Income?

1997

New England Law Review HIV, Judicial Logic and Medical Science: Toward a Presumption of Non-Infection in Child Custody and Visitation Cases

Languages

English

Activity

Avvo Rating

Our Rating is calculated using information the lawyer has included on their profile in addition to the information we collect from state bar associations and other organizations that license legal professionals. Attorneys who claim their profiles and provide Avvo with more information tend to have a higher rating than those who do not.

What determines Avvo Rating?
  • Experience & background Years licensed, work experience, education
  • Legal community recognition Peer endorsements, associations, awards
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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