Michael S. Smith
Mickey Smith has practiced law in Florida for over a quarter of a century. He was born in Williamson, West Virginia, in 1960. Mickey graduated high school, with over a 4.0 average, in 1978 and received a Marshall Hahn Merit Scholarship to attend Virginia Tech. Mickey was thrilled since neither of his parents had been able to attend college. He majored in Industrial Engineering and Operations Research at Virginia Tech and was elected to numerous international honorary societies including Tau Beta Pi, Phi Kappa Phi and Alpha Pi Mu. He received his degree, magna cum laude, in 1982, graduating with a 3.70 grade point average (3.96 in his major). His hard work in college was rewarded with a merit scholarship to the Duke University School of Law. While in law school, he was elected to the prestigious Order of the Coif, based on his outstanding academic achievements at Duke. He received his degree in 1985 with high honors, having graduated in the top 6% of his law school class.
After graduation, Mickey began representing insurance companies and large corporations. He ultimately became a senior shareholder at Kubicki Draper and concentrated his practice on the defense of claims involving serious personal injury, wrongful death, and insurance bad faith. After trying over 100 cases for insurance companies, he became increasingly frustrated because his talents were merely being used to minimize or defeat victims' claims. Mickey wanted to use his talents to help ordinary people who had valid claims.
On May 1, 2002, Mickey joined Slawson Cunningham Whalen & Smith, P.L., as a shareholder. He refused to represent insurance companies and strictly limited his practice to representing victims with significant claims. His dream of practicing law with his best friends, Gary Lesser and Joe Landy, was fulfilled in August 2004, when Lesser, Lesser, Landy & Smith was formed. Mickey's practice continues to be limited to representing individuals and families who have suffered serious personal injury, wrongful death, or have been victimized because of the bad faith practices of an insurance company.
Without question, Mickey's vast experience in litigating and trying some of the insurance industry's worst cases is a major asset in representing victims with significant claims. Since focusing his efforts on the interests of the injured in 2002, Mickey has maintained an active trial practice and has achieved results for his clients that exceed one hundred million dollars. His peers have named him one of The Best Lawyers in America.
Board Certification:
- Certified by both The Florida Bar and the National Board of Trial Advocacy.
Honors:
- The Best Lawyers in America; listed in the specialties of insurance law and personal injury litigation. (This publication “is the oldest and most respected peer-review publication in the legal profession." An exhaustive, confidential survey of the top lawyers in the U.S. determines who is included).
- The Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiffs Lawyers in America. (Compiled by asking the nation’s best lawyers and their clients whom they would trust with their own legal matters).
- American Board of Trial Advocates; Palm Beach Chapter President. (ABOTA is an invitation only group of experienced trial lawyers “who display skill, civility and integrity”).
- Florida Super Lawyers; personal injury law. (Ballots are sent to experienced lawyers, who are asked “to nominate the best lawyers they’ve personally observed in action.” Only 5% of Florida attorneys are selected).
- Florida Legal Elite. (Compiled by Florida Trend magazine by asking members of The Florida Bar to provide “the names of Florida lawyers they hold in the highest regard - lawyers they have worked with personally or would recommend to others”).
- Florida’s Top Lawyers; personal injury law. (This exclusive list is compiled by Florida Monthly magazine based upon independent voting).
- "AV" rated by Martindale-Hubbell. (This independent rating, determined by other lawyers and judges, is the highest possible for both legal ability and general ethical standards. The Martindale Directory was first published in 1868).
- The Best of the U.S.; personal injury law. (A recognition of those who are “Best of Class.” Less than 2% of U.S. attorneys are listed, based upon an independent selection process).
E-mail: msmith@lesserlawfirm.com
