Jennifer Smith Thomas

Jennifer Smith Thomas focuses her practice in the areas of casualty and commercial litigation.

In particular, Jen represents commercial and residential premises owners, including associations, public entities, and businesses in premises liability actions, including slip/trip and falls, negligent security, and personal injury defense matters including catastrophic injury and/or wrongful death suits. Jen also represents product manufacturers in personal injury suits.

Her commercial litigation experience includes the representation of banks, creditors, financial institutions and title insurance companies in complex business litigation and real property disputes. Jen also has significant appellate, bankruptcy, and post-judgment collection experience.

Certifications

•AV-Rated by Martindale-Hubbell

Awards & Honors

•Listed in Best Lawyers in America, Commercial Litigation, 2023-2026
•Florida Super Lawyers Rising Star, Personal Injury General: Defense, 2015-2023
•American Institute of Person Injury Attorneys-2016 10 Best Female Attorneys in Client Satisfaction
•Orange County Bar Association Young Lawyers Section Award of Excellence, (2014-2015) (2015-2016) (2017-2018)

Articles & Presentations

•Author, 'You Don’t Get (to) Squat!: Two New Florida Laws Expedite the Unauthorized Guest Removal Process for the Hotel and Commercial Properties Industries,' September 2025
•Co-author, 'How Florida’s New Comparative Fault Laws Can Help QSRs Reduce Liability Risk,' QSR Magazine, August 2024
•Co-author, 'Florida High Court Gave Bars a Big Win, But There Are Additional Ways to Reduce Liability Risk,' Modern Restaurant Management, July 2024
•Panelist, 'Preparing for the Storm in 2023,' Federation of Defense & Corporate Counsel (FDCC) Winter Meeting, February 2023
•Co-author, 'A Look Back at the Transitory Foreign Substance Statute,' in the Trial Advocate, published by the Florida Defense Lawyers Association, December 2022
•Author, 'Understanding what Medical Bills the Jury Sees: A Primer on Florida Law for Risk Managers,' Public Risk Magazine, July/August 2022
•Author, 'COVID-19 Litigation: What Hotels Have Learned and How to Mitigate Future Exposure,' HotelExecutive, December 2021
•Author, 'Expanding To-Go Beverage Service Permanently: What to Know,' FSR, June 29, 2021
•Author, 'Cocktails Good 'To-Go' in Fla.: Potential Liability for Portable Libations Providers,' Daily Business Review, June 24, 2021
•Co-author, 'Florida Passes Law for Permanent To-Go Alcoholic Beverages for Restaurants,' May 2021
•Co-author, 'Restaurant Revitalization Grant Offers Relief to Restaurants and Bars: Opens May 1,' April 2021
•Author, 'Florida Governor Signs Liability Limitation Bill into Law,' March 2021
•Author, 'Third DCA Makes Rare Finding Against Arbitrability where Arbitration Clause is Present in Contract,' March 2021
•Author, 'Premises Liability Concerns as Hotels Re-Open in the Wake of COVID-19,' published in Hotel Executive, August 23, 2020
•Author, 'Creditors Beware: Pitfalls Lurking in the CARES Act and Local Orders,' June 24, 2020
•Author, 'COVID-19 General Liability Concerns for Restaurants and Bars as Florida Enters Phase 2,' Florida Restaurant & Lodging Magazine, July 2020
•Panelist, 'Practicing With Professionalism,' Florida Bar Young Lawyers Section, 2015, 2016
•Moderator, 'Practicing With Professionalism,' Florida Bar Young Lawyers Section, 2016, 2017
•Speaker, 'The Winning Edge,' FAMU, 2015, 2016
•Speaker, 'Raising the Bar,' FAMU, 2015, 2016
•Moderator, YLD Diversity Symposium, May 2017

Jennifer's News and Insights

09.18.2025
Commercial Litigation

You Don’t Get (to) Squat!: Two New Florida Laws Expedite the Unauthorized Guest Removal Process for Hotel and Commercial Properties

On June 2, 2025, Governor Ron DeSantis signed two new...

Photo: Shutterstock.com/gnohz

08.21.2025
Firm News

27 RumbergerKirk Attorneys Named to the 2026 edition of The Best Lawyers in America

Dan Gerber and Leonard Dietzen Named “Lawyer of the Year;”...

08.01.2025
Firm News

Leading the Way: Jennifer Smith Thomas Steps into New FDCC Leadership Roles

Jennifer Smith Thomas has been appointed the Chair of the...

08.27.2024
Casualty Litigation

How Florida’s New Comparative Fault Laws Can Help QSRs Reduce Liability Risk

In the highly competitive quick-service restaurant industry, fast-food chains are...

Shutterstock.com/Arisani

08.15.2024
Firm News

Best Lawyers in America 2025 Edition Recognizes 24 RumbergerKirk Attorneys

Two Named “Lawyer of the Year” and Two Named “Ones...

07.30.2024
Casualty Litigation

Florida High Court Gave Bars a Big Win, But There Are Additional Ways to Reduce Liability Risk

Owners of bars, taverns, restaurants and other establishments serving alcohol...

Photo: Shutterstock.com/Pokoman

03.05.2024
Beyond the Bio

RumbergerKirk Laces Up to Give Back at the 10th Annual OCBA Law Day 5K

We had a great time at the Orange County Bar...

08.17.2023
Firm News

Best Lawyers in America Recognizes 24 RumbergerKirk Attorneys with Managing Partner Frank Sheppard Named Lawyer of the Year

ORLANDO, FL - August 17, 2023 - Best Lawyers has...

06.26.2023
Firm News

Seven RumbergerKirk Attorneys Listed in 2023 Florida Super Lawyers

Orlando, FL- June 26, 2023 - RumbergerKirk is pleased to...

03.08.2023
Firm News

Jennifer Smith Thomas Elected to OCBA Executive Council

Jennifer Smith Thomas has been elected to the Orange County...