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Lori Ann Vella
also known as Lori Vella
About Lori
Biography
Welcome to the Avvo page of Lori Vella.
Lori Vella has been an attorney for nearly 20 years. She practices Estate Planning (Wills, Trusts, Advanced Directives) in both Florida and New York. She is the creator of the #GetMyGuardian Guide (formerly Kid Care Package), a unique set of both legal and practical documents, that she created/compiled. She also authored The Live-On Project, a short book about writing letters to your children so that your spirit continues to live on in their lives, no matter what. Lori recently created a free Online Course Portal called Florida Lawyer Online. Find it on her website.
She is originally from Rochester, NY. She graduated from Albany Law School in 2000 (25th in her class out of a class of over 300 after the first year). She became a judicial law clerk for the Fifth District Court of Appeal from 2000-2002, with Judge Griffin.
She joined the Tampa law firm of Butler Pappas in 2003. She was a partner and attended hundreds of depositions, hearings and mediations. She felt the calling to start her own law firm in 2017 focusing on matters dear to her heart--the protection of assets for hard-working people and ensuring people set forth their wishes while they still can.
She is a first-generation Sicilian-American. She is an organic gardener and supporter of VISTA gardens, Board Member of the Carrollwood Players, BNI member, an avid reader, achieved Italian conversational fluency through self-study, and leads a local mom group in Tampa. Lori considers herself a Globetrotting Mom Lawyer. She loves traveling the world with her sidekick Gianni. He has been to Croatia, Italy, Australia, Switzerland, France, and Portugal.
Lori welcomes any Seinfeld trivia questions, any time--try to stump her! Message her to learn more about Wills, Trusts and protecting your kids. Available via video calls to all of Florida.
Practice Areas
2
Practice Areas
Fees and Rates
Cost
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in New York for 19 years
State: New York
Acquired: 2006
No misconduct found
Licensed in Florida for 25 years
State: Florida
Acquired: 2000
No misconduct found
Location
Law Office of Lori Vella, PLLC
14502 N. Dale Mabry Hwy, Suite 200, Tampa, FL, 33618
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Lori Ann Vella's Reviews
Showing 1 - 5 of 16 client reviews from Avvo
Posted by Janice | March 3, 2024 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Excellent Estate Planning
I wanted someone who could guide me in estate planning, mainly a will. Lori took the time to talk with me, answered questions and made me feel comfortable about what needed to be done. I had tried doing my own will and documents from the internet but I feel confident now that my estate is how I want...
Posted by Gail | February 5, 2024 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
The best of the best!
For years, I have been wanting to get my will in order, and a friend of mine referred me to Lori. I could not be happier with everything involved when creating a will. Lori answered and clarified all questions I had, as well as educated me regarding additional options that can be included in a will. ...
Posted by Tareq | December 22, 2022 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Tareq Al-khatib/MD/FACS
Ms.Villa excellent lawyer,compassionate professional has the gift of simplifying complex,dry legal issue,down to earth personalty put you at ease thru the encounter,her office accountable and response to your need in time,I do recommend Ms.Vella as your lawyer for legal need
Posted by Steve T | September 1, 2022 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Estate Planning
Lori and her team recently helped my wife and I update our estate documents and create a trust. This law office was a pleasure to work with for updating our documents. The whole team was great with communication and Lori takes the time to review the documents with you in easy to understand language...
Posted by anonymous | February 23, 2022 | Consulted Attorney
This review is from a potential client who consulted with this attorney.
POOR service
When someone does not respond to you emails, questions, or inquiries, I would stay clear of whatever service they are providing. Especially when it is something as important a legal service you want someone who is reliable and available, never settle for anything less.
Lori Ann Vella's Lawyer Endorsements
"Lori is dedicated to her clients and ensuring that their estate plans are not just complete, but understood. Her passion for her work and her clients shines through whenever we speak. I readily endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse Attorney Vella. She is smart and professional. She is also a strong advocate for her clients."
"I endorse this lawyer. She has a great work ethic and follow through. She really knows her stuff. I've referred her a couple of clients and they had nothing but great things to say about her. She has a great reputation in the community as well. Thanks"
"Lori is a very capable and conscientious lawyer. She will provide the highest and best service she can to accomplish your estate planning objectives. I highly recommend her."
"I have worked with Lori on several projects as part of an attorney organization. Lori is creative, through in her analysis and works to solve the problem."
"I worked closely with Lori in chairing a prestigious national legal seminar. She is diligent, thorough, and responsive. She cares about doing a good job, and gets it done!"
"I never hesitate to send referrals to Lori Vella. She is an outstanding attorney who cares deeply for her clients."
"I endorse this lawyer. Lori gives 100% dedication to the estate planning of her clients. She sees all types of clients, from young to old, newlywed to retirement age, and has the ability to apply the laws to fit their specific needs. I refer clients with confidence to Lori."
"Lori Vella is an excellent attorney and very professional in all that she does. She has an active practice helping young families provide for the care of their children should the worst ever happen. I highly endorse Lori."
"Lori and I worked together and collaborated on complex commercial and insurance litigation cases over 15 years ago at a large defense firm, where she showed great skill as a litigator and dedication to zealously represent each client. Now, with well over a decade of litigation experience, and a family of her own, Lori not only has her own practice, but has directed her skill sets and found her passion in assisting other families, particularly in the area of Estate Planning. Lori has always been an amazing attorney, who has impressed both her coworkers and opposing counsel alike. However, she has now entered a new phase of her career where she truly shines because she absolutely LOVES what she does for a living, and that is protecting and serving families like hers, each and every day."
"Lori is a brilliant lawyer. She is well versed in the law regarding trusts, wills, and other estate planning matters. She takes great pride in her work and really looks to help people. She makes sure she truly gets to know everything she needs to know about a client so that she can best help them and provide services that they need. I endorse this lawyer!"
"Lori is a wonderful attorney. She is smart and compassionate. Her commitment to ensuring that people's needs and wants for their estate planning needs are met is what everyone deserves for making such important decisions."
"I worked with Lori at a prior law firm and have followed her practice since we both left that firm to start our own law firms. She is a brilliant attorney and serves her clients well. I endorse her without reservation."
"I endorse this lawyer."
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Experience
Honors
2009
Community Service Award, Hillsborough County Bar Association
Work Experience
2017 - Present
Founder, Law Office of Lori Vella, PLLC
2003 - 2014
Partner, Butler Legal
2000 - 2002
Staff Attorney, Fifth District Court Of Appeal
Associations
2018 - Present
Florida Bar, Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section
Sample of Legal Cases
Creator of the Kid Care Package and #GetMyGuardian Community Event
Education
2000
Albany Law School of Union University
JD - Juris Doctor
1996
University of Rochester
BA - Bachelor of Arts
N/A
Stetson University College of Law
Visiting Student
Speaking Engagements
2019
#GetMyGuardian
Nominating Guardians for Children
Publications
2021
Paraclete magazine
Estate Planning for the LGBTQ+ Community
2018
Book
The Live-On Project
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Guides
Legal Answers
Q&A
Can a person with dementia that has a will make a quick claim deed to someone else ?
23 Jul 2021
Q&A
Who is the next of kin?
27 Jul 2021
Q&A
My will was drawn up in 1985. Since then my husband has passed away. Do I need to have a new will?
14 Sep 2020
Legal Guides
Legal Guide
Top Benefits of a Revocable Trust During the Life of Grantor
04 Jan 2020
Legal Guide
How to Create a Legacy Folder
05 Nov 2019
Legal Guide
Top 4 Steps for Choosing Guardians for your Children
05 Nov 2019