Overall Rating
This is an aggregated review score of Avvo and Lawyers.com reviews.
This is an aggregated review score of Avvo and Lawyers.com reviews.
4.5 /5.0
195 Client Reviews
$ 460-460 per hour
PRO
Christopher Douglas Smith
Virtual Consultation Available
About Christopher
Biography
Christopher D. Smith received his B.A., magna cum laude, from Harvard University (Cambridge, MA) and his Juris Doctorate from Georgetown University (Washington, D.C.). A long time resident of Florida, Mr. Smith also graduated from Pine View School in Sarasota. He is members of the bars of Florida, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. Mr. Smith started his career with the international lawfirm of Dechert LLP in 2001, and then joined the Florida Bar in 2002. He returned to Florida in 2005 to pursue a solo practice. His practice areas include litigation, bankruptcy, guardianship, real estate, and estate planning. Outside of work, Mr. Smith is a high school football official, an avid boater, and father of three.
Mr. Smith is Board Certified in Consumer Bankruptcy Law by the American Board of Certification.
Debt can be overwhelming... get a fresh start. Board Certified attorney Christopher Smith can help.
Bankruptcy is not an end, but a new beginning.
Practice Areas
5
Practice Areas
Real Estate
30%
24 years | 1,000 cases
Estate Planning
25%
24 years | 500 cases
Bankruptcy and Debt
15%
24 years | 1,000 cases
Litigation
15%
24 years | 200 cases
Fees and Rates
Cost
Hourly Rates
Contingency
25%-40%
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
Awards
2025 2024 2023
...
+
8
2012
Licenses
Licensed in Florida for 23 years
State: Florida
Acquired: 2002
No misconduct found
Licensed in District of Columbia for 23 years
State: District of Columbia
Acquired: 2002
No misconduct found
Licensed in Maryland for 23 years
State: Maryland
Acquired: 2002
No misconduct found
Licensed in Virginia for 24 years
State: Virginia
Acquired: 2001
No misconduct found
Location
Christopher Douglas Smith's Reviews
Showing 1 - 5 of 191 client reviews from Avvo
Posted by Diana | December 5, 2025 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Outstanding legal help during our closing
Monica is extremely efficient, knowledgable, and professional. She handled our closing and she made the process easily understandable. Would highly recommend.
Posted by anonymous | November 24, 2025 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Great Lawyer---5 STARS!
Chris Smith and his team are so knowledgeable and a pleasure to work with! I have utilized their services over the past 6 years. Each time I found Chris to be helpful, efficient, compassionate and timely. He provides a great service for a reasonable price. I refer all my friends to Chris and they to...
Posted by Jessika | November 19, 2025 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Outstanding Attorney
Chris D. Smith has been my family's attorney for over 15 years. He is very thorough and personable. You will never feel like a number or just another fille with him. I love the fact that he is a local, a product of Sarasota's Pine View School and that he is practicing where he grew up, serving our co...
Posted by Wen | November 14, 2025 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Highly professional and knowledgeable
The lawyers and staff are very professional and friendly. They took the time to answer our questions in detail. Highly recommended.
Posted by Linda | November 13, 2025 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Trust
Chris and his staff were excellent. He even picked up on a mistake my original attorney made regarding my trust. I will be using him again. I highly recommend him.
Christopher Douglas Smith's Lawyer Endorsements
"I endorse this lawyer. Very professional and proficient at settling client matters as expeditiously and effectively as possible. The best attorneys have this trait."
"I endorse this lawyer. Chris is results-driven and a superb advocate for his clients."
"I endorse this lawyer. Chris is an intelligent, skilled, and compassionate attorney who always considers his clients best interests first."
"I endorse this lawyer. After reviewing attorney Smith's history as well as his insightful answers to questions posted on Avvo, I believe he is a trustworthy source of legal information and experience."
"Mr. Smith is a very intelligent and professional attorney. He is very responsible, organized and diligent in the handling of his cases. He treats his clients with respect and courtesy. I highly recommend this attorney."
"I endorse this lawyer. Chris is an outstanding attorney dedicated to doing the best for his clients."
"I have a number of clients that have been facing bankruptcy over the past few years. I have the pleasure of working closely with Chris on a number of these files. Chris has always given straight forward and honest advice and has been very responsive to the concerns of my clients."
"Chris is very knowledgable about bankruptcy matters and I found him to be very responsive and professional. I would definitely recommend him."
"Mr. Smith is well experienced and incredibly knowledgeable. He is my "go-to" man when it comes to all matters of bankruptcy and personal injury work."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer's work."
"I endorse this lawyer's work. He is a sharp mind who works extremely hard and will produce results."
Michael Fayard
Criminal defense lawyer
Gerald O'Brien
Guardianship lawyer
Kevin Acklin
Business lawyer
Lindsey Schneider
Divorce and separation lawyer
Matthew Martell
Litigation lawyer
David Rosenberg
Real estate lawyer
John Chapman
Litigation lawyer
Ryan Featherstone
Real estate lawyer
Nishit Patel
Family lawyer
Frank Cowan
Entertainment lawyer
Erika Dine
Guardianship lawyer
Experience
Honors
2016
Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2003
Pro Bono Award, Dechert LLP
Work Experience
2012 - Present
Attorney, SmithLaw
2010 - 2011
Managing Partner, Smith and Dine P.A.
2005 - 2009
Managing Attorney, Christopher D. Smith, P.A.
2001 - 2005
Associate, Dechert
Associations
Sarasota County Bar Association
Member
Sample of Legal Cases
Colaizzi v. Matney
Judgment for Plaintiff
McDonnell v. Robey
Judgment for Plaintiff for $126,291.30
Emerence Stickle v. Raymond M. Garcia
Judgment for Plaintiff for $1,531,751.86
Donahue v. The Signature Group of Sarasota
Judgment for Plaintiff for $111,035.46
In Re Rasmussen
Trustee's Objection Overruled
Education
2001
Georgetown University Law Center
JD - Juris Doctor
1998
Harvard
BA - Bachelor of Arts
Publications
2012
Christopher D. Smith P.A.
Guide to Filing Bankruptcy in Southwest Florida
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Guides
Top Contributor
Christopher earned significant contribution points in 2012.
Legal Answers
Q&A
How do I get my garnished wages back in florida after wage exemption has been granted. clerk says they are waiting on plantiff.
06 Oct 2012
Q&A
If my fiance incurred a debt and judgement prior to marriage would the company be able to garnish my wages after we are married?
06 Aug 2012
Q&A
Can I lease a new car and then file for bankruptcy?
25 Jul 2012
Legal Guides
Legal Guide
Florida Bankruptcy Guide: Steps 9 - Life after Bankruptcy
14 Jun 2012
Legal Guide
Florida Bankruptcy Guide: Steps 7 - Case Administration
14 Jun 2012
Legal Guide
Florida Bankruptcy Guide: Steps 3-5 - Retain Counsel, Spousal Considerations, and Preparation
14 Jun 2012