Larry Dean Smith

A seasoned trial lawyer of more than thirty years, Larry Smith focuses his practice in the areas of complex, high exposure cases for clients including domestic and international product manufacturers, as well as other claims involving personal injury, wrongful death and property damage cases. Larry has also been certified as a Supreme Court of Florida Circuit Civil Mediator since 2018 and Florida Supreme Court Arbitrator since 2019.

Community

•Wills for Victims of Aids
•Guardian ad litem for Abused and Neglected Children

Certifications

•AV-Preeminent Rating by Martindale-Hubbell
•Certified Litigation Management Professional (Litigation Management Institute/Claims and Litigation Management)

Awards & Honors

•Listed in Best Lawyers in America, Product Liability Litigation - Defendants, 2023-2026
•The Federation of Defense & Corporate Counsel (FDCC) Diversity Award, July 2022
•Orlando Business Journal, Diversity in Business Lifetime Achievement, 2022
•Florida Bar Path to Unity, Recognized as One of Five Trailblazing Attorneys for Breaking Down Barriers, 2021
•Litigation Counsel of America and Diversity Law Institute Diversity Award, 2019
•The Florida Bar G. Kirk Haas Humanitarian Award, 2016
•The Florida Bar Young Lawyers Diversity Award, 2016
•The Defense Research Institute Sheryl J. Willert Pioneer Diversity Award, 2015
•Litigation Counsel of America Peter Perlman Service Award, 2014
•The Florida Bar Henry Latimer Diversity Award, presented by the Equal Opportunities in Law Section, Virgil Hawkins National Bar Association Florida Chapter and Florida Association of Women Lawyers, 2013
•The ABA Section of Litigation's Diversity Leadership Award for 'promoting full and equal participation in the legal profession,' 2013
•Florida Super Lawyer, 2008-2023
•Florida Trend Magazine's Legal Elite 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014
•Orlando Style Magazine's Legal Elite, 2015
•Watermark's Central Florida Co-Person of the Year, 2002

Articles & Presentations

•Speaker, 'Diversity Fatigue: An Overview of Recent Diversity Challenges and Opportunities,' Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel Winter Meeting, February 2024
•Moderator, 'Explosive Rise of Nuclear Verdicts: Identifying Potential Triggers, Managing Risks & Controlling Outcomes,' FDCC Insurance Industry Institute, November 2023
•Panelist, 'Selecting Outside Counsel Who Embrace Diversity and Inclusion - Why It Works For Everyone,' The Leader in WE, FDCC Corporate Counsel Symposium, October 2023
•Presenter, 'Best Practices to Address LGBTQ+ Discrimination and Implicit Bias,' Orange County Bar Association Diversity & Inclusion Certificate Program, May 2023
•Panelist, 'Benefits and Challenges of a Multigenerational Workforce and Navigating Religious/Cultural Differences in the Workplace,' Hillsborough County Bar Association Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee, Path to Unity Luncheon and Diversity Fair, February 2023
•Presenter, 'LGBTQ+ Rights - Update from Florida,' New Jersey State Bar Association LGBTQ Rights Section, Mid-Year Meeting, November 2022
•Guest, 'Diverse Orange,' Facebook Live event produced by FusionFest Orlando, September 20, 2022
•Guest, 'FED Speaks: Mondays with Mills Gallivan,' a podcast produced by the Federation of Defense & Corporate Counsel (FDCC), September 19, 2022
•Moderator, 'Elimination of Bias Breakout: Othering or Smothering? Creating Thoughtfulness Without “Thought Policing” for Diversity & Inclusion Efforts in the Legal Profession,' American Bar Association Litigation Meeting, May 2022
•Presenter, 'The Evolution of Thinking About LGBTQ,' Florida Path to Unity, The Florida Bar, April 2022
•Presenter, 'Speaking Inside View: Legal and Ethical Considerations for Corporate Counsel,' ABA 2022 Motor Vehicle Product Liability Conference, April 2022
•Author, 'The Next Step In Professionalism: Inclusive Excellence,' The Henry Latimer Center for Professionalism at The Florida Bar, December 2020
•Panelist, 'Model Rule 8.4(g): Eliminating Bias, Discrimination, and Harassment in the Practice of Law,' ABA Diversity & Inclusion Committee, February 24, 2021
•Presenter, 'Diversity: Why Does it Matter?,' Litigation Counsel of America Annual Conference (paper and presentation), October 2019
•Speaker, “A History of Diversity in the Orange County Bar,' Orange County Bar Association, October 2019
•Speaker, “Leadership In The Face of Disaster,' Defense Research Institute Annual Conference, October 2018
•Speaker, 'Premises Liability,' Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel, July 2018
•Speaker, 'Leadership Lessons from Pulse,' ABA Diversity and Inclusion/LGBT Joint Committee, April 2018
•Speaker, “Leadership Lessons from Pulse,” ABA Luncheon of the Fellows, April 2018
•Speaker, “Emerging Legal and Litigation Trends In Premises Liability,' National Association of Minority and Women Owned Law Firms, February 2018
•Speaker, 'Diversity Symposium,' The Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division, May 2017
•Speaker, 'The 45th Trial Academy of the International Association of Defense Counsel,' Stanford Law School, Summer, 2017
•Speaker, 'The Right to Love, Looking at Loving v. Virginia and Obergefell v. Hodges,' George C. Young Central Florida Inn of Court, May 16, 2017
•Speaker, 'Professionalism, Diversity & Inclusion,' Ninth Circuit Traffic Officers, Orange County Courthouse, May 12, 2017
•Speaker, 'Diversity in Law Firms,' Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division Diversity Symposium, Orange County Bar Association, May 12, 2017
•Speaker, 'Pulse: An Inside Look And Lessons Learned,' International Association of Defense Counsel, Annual Meeting, Scottsdale, Arizona, February 20, 2017
•Speaker, 'Presentation of the G. Kirk Haas Humanitarian Scholarship and Remarks on Diversity and Unity,' The University of Florida School of Law, November 17, 2016
•Speaker, 'Emails: The Cockroaches of Litigation,' Central Florida Public Risk Managers Association (PRIMA), September 16, 2016
•Speaker, 'Product Liability - Differences in the Restatement 2nd and Restatement 3rd of Torts as Relates to Product Liability Claims and Various Nuances of Failure to Warn Claims,' Florida Defense Lawyers Association/Florida Liability Claims Conference Annual Meeting, June 2015
•Speaker, 'Death by a Thousand Cuts: Confronting Hidden Bias and Ethical Considerations in the Legal Community,' DRI Diversity Conference, Chicago, June 2015
•Panelist, 'A Year After Windsor: Panel Discussion,' U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Middle District of Florida, June 2014
•Speaker, 'Guardians of the Legal Profession: Benefits of Serving as a Community Leader,' The Florida Bar Leadership Academy, Orlando, Florida, March, 2014
•Speaker, 'Professionalism and Diversity: The Outlook for the Invisible Minority,' Diversity Institute Summit, Chicago, 2012
•Speaker, 'Trial Management in 2011: Using Technology to Increase Effectiveness,' Council on Litigation Management, New Orleans, 2011
•Speaker 'Building Bridges Between the Bench, Bar and the Community,' The Florida Bar Voluntary Bar Leaders Conference, July, 2010
•Speaker, 'National Diversity Forum: Building Strength Through Diversity, Claims and Litigation Management Alliance,' New York City, 2011
•Speaker, 'Team Building and Leadership Skills,' Central Florida Paralegal Association, Orlando, December, 2010
•Speaker, 'Case Law Update,' CEU Institute for National Insurance & Healthcare Continuing Education, 2009
•Speaker, 'Outlook for the Invisible Minority,' Litigation Council of America Diversity Summit, Atlanta, 2009
•Speaker, 'Litigating High Profile Cases During Governmental Agency Investigation: A Multi-Prong Approach,' Litigation Council of America, Charleston, 2009
•Speaker, 'Diversity: Creating The Winning Edge,' The Florida Bar Annual Convention, 2008
•Author, 'Does Biomechanics Pass the Daubert (and Frye) Requirements?,' American Bar Association Emerging Issues in Motor Vehicle Product Liability Litigation Conference, 2008
•Speaker, 'Professionalism,' The Florida Bar Solo and Small Firm Section, 2007
•Speaker, 'Strategic Use Of Summary Judgment: Cutting The Catastrophic Case Down To Size, Litigation Counsel of America,' Spring Conference, 2007
•Speaker, Voluntary Bar Leadership Conference, The Florida Bar, 2006
•Speaker, 'Professionalism,' The Florida Bar, Solo & Small Firm Convention, 2006
•Speaker, Pathways to Diversity Conference, Minority Corporate Counsel Association, 2006
•Speaker, Second Annual Diversity Symposium, The Florida Bar, 2005
•'Proof of Defect Without Testimony: Can a Plaintiff Survive Summary Judgment?' American Bar Association, 2002
•Speaker, 'Professionalism and Diversity: The Outlook for the Invisible Minority,' Litigation Counsel of America, Fall Conference, 2007
•'The Cutting Edge: Case Law Update,' Defense Research Institute, 2003
•'How Similar Is Substantially Similar? A Defense Perspective,' American Bar Association, 2002
•Speaker, 'Masters in Professionalism Series: Diversity,' The Florida Bar, 2001
•Speaker, 'Successful Lawyering in a Diverse Society: Diversity: It's Good Business,' The Florida Bar Annual Meeting, 2000
•Speaker, 'The Hot Seat: Seat Back Claims Issues and Trends,' American Bar Association Emerging Issue in Automotive Product Litigation Conference, 2000

Larry's News and Insights

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;”...

08.15.2024
Firm News

Best Lawyers in America 2025 Edition Recognizes 24 RumbergerKirk Attorneys

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

02.27.2024
Events

Larry Smith Participates in “Fed Talks” During FDCC Winter Meeting

Several Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel (FDCC) members were...

10.23.2023
Events

Selecting Outside Counsel Who Embrace Diversity and Inclusion - Why It Works For Everyone

During the FDCC Corporate Counsel Symposium, Larry Smith joined in...

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...

05.31.2023
Events

Best Practices to Address LGBTQ+ Discrimination and Implicit Bias

The Orange County Bar Association (OCBA) invited RumbergerKirk’s Larry Smith...

03.04.2023
Events

The Path to Unity Statewide Outreach Lands in Bay County

The Florida Bar Diversity & Inclusion Committee’s Path to Unity...

02.13.2023
Events

The Path to Unity Traveling Exhibit Visits Hillsborough County

The Hillsborough County Bar Association (HCBA) Diversity, Equity & Inclusion...

12.12.2022
Media Mentions

Creative Pinellas hosts the Florida Bar’s Path to Unity Project, The Weekly Challenger

Path to Unity is a traveling exhibit honoring attorneys in...