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Lori Ann Vella
also known as Lori Vella
About Lori
Biography
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Lori Vella is an estate planning, probate, guardianship, and elder law attorney licensed in Florida and New York. With more than 26 years of legal experience, she is the founder of the Law Office of Lori Vella, PLLC, serving individuals and families throughout the Tampa Bay area and across Florida.
Lori focuses her practice on helping individuals and families protect what they have worked hard to build, plan for incapacity, and navigate the legal challenges that arise following the death of a loved one. Her practice includes Wills, Revocable Living Trusts, Powers of Attorney, Advance Healthcare Directives, Probate Administration, Trust Administration, Guardianship, and Medicaid and Elder Law Planning.
She believes estate planning is about much more than preparing documents. It is about making sure families understand their plans, know what to do when the time comes, and have the guidance they need to avoid unnecessary confusion, expense, and conflict.
Experience and Background
Originally from Rochester, New York, Lori graduated from Albany Law School in 2000. She began her legal career as a judicial law clerk to Judge Griffin of Florida's Fifth District Court of Appeal from 2000 to 2002.
In 2003, she joined the Tampa law firm of Butler Pappas, where she became a partner and gained extensive litigation experience, participating in hundreds of depositions, hearings, and mediations.
In 2017, Lori founded her own law firm to focus on the areas of law closest to her heart: protecting families, preserving assets, and helping people make important decisions before a crisis occurs.
Legal Education and Mentorship
In addition to representing clients, Lori is passionate about helping other attorneys and legal professionals build successful practices.
She is the founder of Vella Launch Lab, LLC, an educational company offering practical legal training and mentorship. Through Probate Launch, she teaches Florida probate administration to attorneys and legal professionals, sharing the substantive knowledge, procedures, systems, and real-world experience needed to confidently handle probate matters.
Lori also provides private one-on-one estate planning mentorship for attorneys seeking to develop or expand their practices.
Beyond the Law
A first-generation Sicilian-American, Lori is a proud mom, an avid traveler, gardener, and lifelong learner. She enjoys exploring the world with her son, Gianni, and has a particular appreciation for Italian culture, language, and family traditions.
She also has a sense of humor and welcomes a good Seinfeld trivia challenge.
Working With Lori
Lori and her team take a personal, straightforward approach to legal representation. They strive to make clients feel informed, comfortable, and supported through important life decisions.
The firm offers in-person appointments in the Tampa Bay area and virtual consultations throughout Florida.
Whether you are creating your first estate plan, updating an existing trust, administering a loved one's estate, or navigating an elder law concern, Lori welcomes the opportunity to help you understand your options and move forward with confidence.
Practice Areas
2
Practice Areas
Estate Planning
50%
600 cases
Probate
50%
400 cases
Fees and Rates
Cost
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in New York for 20 years
State: New York
Acquired: 2006
No misconduct found
Licensed in Florida for 26 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
Law Office of Lori Vella, PLLC
28210 Paseo Drive, Wesley Chapel, FL, 33543
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Lori Ann Vella's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
18 Client Reviews
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Practice Areas
Showing 6 - 7 of 7 reviews | Communication Style
Posted by Felicia | September 07, 2020 | Hired Attorney
Wonderful experience
Lori has a passion for helping people, this is evident in the philanthropy work she promotes and participates in in her community. Lori was a joy to work with, she explained everything to me and was understanding and compassionate towards the delicate nature of her work. Would absolutely recommend Lo...
Lori Vella
Replied last September 07, 2020Thank you Felicia for your kind review. It is always great working with a responsible mom!
Posted by Jenny | September 07, 2020 | Hired Attorney
Someone you can trust!
Lori is not only trustworthy and knowledgeable, she has a family of her own and knows how important it is to take care of them now as well as in the future. She walked us through each step and process needed to make sure our children and finances are secured and covered if anything should happen to u...
Lori Vella
Replied last September 07, 2020From one mom to another, it was great to work with you Jenny! You have a beautiful family!
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
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
7 Steps to Take After a Death in Florida
31 Oct 2026
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