Donna Vales Smith

PRO

Donna Vales Smith

4.9
19 reviews
This is an aggregated review score of Avvo and Lawyers.com reviews.
Rating: 8.3

Licensed for 38 years

Mediation Lawyer at Tampa, FL
Practice Areas: Mediation, Employment & Labor

545 CHannelside Drive Ste 806A, Tampa, FL

Free Consultation

About Donna

Biography

I once received an email from a client stating simply, “Thank you for holding my hand through this process…” It was my honor and pleasure to guide this client through the nuances and challenges of empl...

Practice Areas

2

Practice Areas

Mediation 80%

38 years

80%
Employment and Labor 20%

38 years

20%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Free Consultation

$0 first 30 minutes


Payment Methods

  • Check
  • Credit Card

Awards

Client's Choice
Client's Choice
2016 2015

Licenses

Licensed in Colorado for 2 years

State: Colorado

Acquired: 2023

Active

No misconduct found

Licensed in Florida for 22 years

State: Florida

Acquired: 2003

Member in Good Standing

No misconduct found

Licensed in Georgia for 26 years

State: Georgia

Acquired: 1999

Active Member in Good Standing

No misconduct found

Licensed in Louisiana for 36 years

State: Louisiana

Acquired: 1989

Inactive

No misconduct found

Licensed in Connecticut for 38 years

State: Connecticut

Acquired: 1987

Administrative Suspension

No misconduct found

Location

Donna V. Smith, PLLC

545 CHannelside Drive Ste 806A, Tampa, FL, 33602

Donna Vales Smith's Reviews

Filter Avvo Reviews (18) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.

Showing 1 - 5 of 7 reviews | Communication Style

Posted by George | October 04, 2016 | Hired Attorney | Lawsuits & Disputes

Overtime wages compensation

A friend had refereed me to the law office where I was put in contact with Donna Smith. After discussing with her, via phone, why I had approached the firm she suggested that we get together to discuss my options. Upon meeting with her she clearly laid out all of my options on the table, thus allow...ing me the option to make a confident decision of the best course of action for my case. She was always there with a quick response if I had questions or concerns and gave me the feeling that she truly cared about my case and was there until a settlement, that I found except able, was met.

Posted by Chad | September 26, 2016 | Hired Attorney | Lawsuits & Disputes

Donna Smith, and her firm, are who you want on your side.

Donna was very professional, efficient, and effective! After hiring a different attorney, and waiting a year for her to actually do something, I decided to contact Donna Smith as I knew without a shadow of a doubt I had a valid case/complaint. Donna jumped on it and got things remedied for me. An...d did so in about 3 months. That is the difference between hiring a lawyer with years of experience and backed by a solid firm then choosing the wrong one who was clearly fresh out of law school and did not have my best interest in mind. She communicated continuously with me, answered my questions, and most importantly she got thinks done. As I can not discuss the specifics of my lawsuit, know this. You are in good hands with her.

Posted by anonymous | January 03, 2016 | Hired Attorney

Ms Smith

I appreciate Ms. Smith getting to the nature of my case, kindly and politely. She brought it to a successful conclusion. She was always kind, helpful and available.

Posted by Teresa | May 04, 2015 | Lawsuits & Disputes

Excellent Attorney With Excellent Representation

Ms. Smith stepped in to handle my case and was a was a miracle worker. She went straight for the facts and delivered my case to opposing counsel with superior precision and authority. Her staff was wonderful -- the entire team was wonderful! I was informed of every step along the way. Ms. smith s...ettled my claim timely and efficiently. There are not enough words in the English language for me to express the professionalism and dedication that I was so very fortunate to be the recipient of. All I can say is THANK YOU, MS. SMITH!

Posted by sandra | March 05, 2015 | Employment & Labor

couldn't have asked for a better attorney!!!

Ms. Smith was very straight forward from start to finish. She never led me to believe I had either a better or worse case than I did. She warned me it would be a long battle (from start to finish was 13 months), but she was willing to go the distance. She answered emails promptly, called me, and kep...t me informed every inch of the way. She made sure I was present during depositions, let me help in the process, and most importantly, she treated me like a person. She understood that for me, it was never about the money, but about my reputation and pride. She told me I may not get what I am looking for in an apology, and vindicated from the employer, but she believed me, and she fought for me. I feel I was treated as though I were her only case (even though I know I wasn't). She got me a reasonable settlement, and for that I will be eternally grateful. I can not possibly say enough good things about Ms Smith, but I can say if you have a labor case, she is the best person, male or female for the job in my honest opinion. Everyone in her office is professional, courteous and helpful. This law firm goes above and beyond. You won't see an advertisement for them, as they don't need that kind of exposure, they have word of mouth from satisfied clients. Any firm can get business by ads, but when you get clients because of your reputation, that is an accomplishment to be proud of. Ms Smith is an attorney you can trust to shoot straight and do her best for you

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Donna Vales Smith's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Donna
Eric M. Christiansen headshot
Eric Christiansen

Employment and labor lawyer | Aug 28

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I endorse Donna Smith, she is a great employment lawyer and a strong advocate. Donna's focus is on what is best for her client and she directs her practice accordingly. Donna provided very valuable insights to me on complex cases that involved both workers' compensation and employment law issues."

Richard Luther Bradford headshot
Richard Bradford

Employment and labor lawyer | Feb 13

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"I endorse this lawyer. Donna is an excellent attorney. I recently sat on the opposite side of Donna on a case and possesses a wealth of knowledge in labor and employment law. She is also very thorough and knows how to identify the critical issues. Anyone choosing to work with Donna cannot go wrong."

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Experience

Rating:  8.3 (Excellent)

Honors

2018

Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

Work Experience

2022 - Present

Managing Member, Donna V. Smith, PLLC

2012 - 2022

Partner, Wenzel, Fenton, Cabassa, P.A.

2007 - 2012

Senior Associate, Thompson, Sizemore, Gonzalez & Hearing

2000 - 2002

Of Counsel, Fisher & Phillips

1998 - 2000

Associate, Jackson Lewis

Associations

2022 - Present

AWI

Member

2009 - Present

Florida Bar, Labor and Employment Law Section

Attorney Member

2007 - Present

Hillsborough County Bar Association

Attorney Member

2007 - Present

Hillsborough Association for Women Lawyers

Attorney Member

1999 - Present

State Bar of Georgia

Attorney Member

Education

1987

Tulane University Law School

J.D.

1984

St. John's College

BA - Bachelor of Arts

Publications

2012

The Checkoff, Florida Bar Labor and Employment Law Section Another Setback for the NLRB

1988

ABA/ BNA publications Developing Labor Law

Languages

English

Activity

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