About the Firm

We take care of business. Whether defending manufacturers in product liability actions, representing companies in catastrophic personal injury actions, protecting the reputation of major theme parks, advocating the commercial interests of banks and financial institutions, or following the needs of a growing region, our practice focuses on representing the interests of businesses from around the globe.

We understand the priorities of General Counsel. Some of our partners are former in-house attorneys themselves. Others have devoted their entire legal careers to representing small to Fortune 10 companies in litigation settings. We are comfortable in the Board Room or the Court Room, and in each we strive to further the interests of our clients.

We believe in mediation and reasonableness. We encourage our clients and adversaries to resolve their differences amicably if they can. But alternative resolution is not the solution in every case and we strongly believe that a right to trial by jury is as important to a business as it is to an individual.

Litigation is neither cheap nor easy. However, when litigation is appropriate or unavoidable, we work closely with our clients to develop a comprehensive strategic litigation plan and we strive to achieve its goals in efficient and economical ways. We offer electronic billing, alternate billing alternatives, detailed budgeting and close communication with case handlers to avoid surprises.

Litigation is not for the faint of heart. But if it is necessary to execute or defend an interest of your business, we invite you to examine our credentials, consider our experience, and ask questions.

In the News

  • Larry has been selected again this year as one of Orlando’s Best Lawyers by Orlando Home & Leisure Magazine.
  • Based upon statewide voting by peers for “attorneys whom they hold in the highest regard or would recommend to others,” Florida Trend Magazine has again included Larry Smith among its Florida Legal Elite.
  • Larry Smith has been named a 2011 Florida Super Lawyer.
  • Peggy Smith Bush has been named a 2011 Florida Rising Star.
  • Peggy Smith Bush has been accepted for membership in the International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC). Membership in this organization is by invitation only based on peer nomination and review. IADC is an elite international organization of about 2,500 prominent and leading corporate and insurance attorneys throughout the world.
  • The Council on Litigation Management, a national non-partisan alliance of corporations, insurance companies, law firms and service providers committed to furthering the highest standards of litigation management, has named Larry Co-Chair of its Diversity Committee.
  • The President-Elect of The Florida Bar has appointed Larry to serve for a third term on the Code & Rules of Evidence Committee.
  • Larry participated in a panel discussion on Trial Management in 2011: Using Technology to Increase Effectiveness at the annual conference of the Council on Litigation Management during its recent meeting in New Orleans.
  • December, 2010: Larry Smith presented a lecture entitled Team Building and Leadership Skills to the Central Florida Paralegal Association at their Pre-Annual Meeting on the topic of Team Building an Leadership Skills.
  • The President of The Florida Bar has appointed Larry to its Special Committee on Diversity and Inclusion.
  • The International Association of Defense Counsel, an invitation-only professional association for corporate and insurance defense lawyers around the world, has named Larry as Co-Vice Chair of its Diversity Committee. You can learn more about the IADC and its Mission at www.iadclaw.org.
  • The 2010 Corporate Counsel Edition of Super Lawyers has been released with its selection of “The Top Attorneys In Civil and Criminal Litigation.” Larry Smith has been named among the distinguished attorneys in the practice area of Personal Injury Defense: General. This list is distributed nationally to corporate counsel and CEOs of the top private and publicly held companies in the country, many of whom Southern Trial Counsel is honored to represent.
  • Southern Trial Counsel, PLC has been selected for inclusion in the Martindale-Hubbell Register of Preeminent Lawyers in the practice areas of Product Liability Law, Civil Trial Practice, Commercial Litigation, Construction Law and Premises Liability Law.
  • July, 2010. Larry attended the 2010 Voluntary Bar Leaders Conference in Ft. Lauderdale, in his capacity as Chair of The Florida Bar Equal Opportunities in Law Section, and spoke on the topic of Building Bridges Between the Bench, Bar and the Community.
  • July 7, 2010. Larry has been recognized in Florida Trend’s 2010 Legal Elite, a select group of lawyers voted by their peers as among the best in the state. Less than 2% of practicing attorneys in Florida are selected for this honor. Larry was selected in the practice area of Civil Trial. More information can be obtained about the selection criteria and process by going to www.floridatrend.com/law_elite.asp
  • June, 2010. Larry has been elected Chair of The Florida Bar Equal Opportunities in Law Section (EOLS). The EOLS was established in 2000 to fulfill the need for a forum committed to fostering diversity in the legal profession in Florida.
  • At the invitation of SunTrust Bank and its Diversity Corporate Partners, Larry Smith traveled to Atlanta, Georgia on June 2, 2010 to speak about “Diversity and Professionalism: Outlook for the Invisible Minority” as part of Pride Month celebrations. The event was cosponsored by the Atlanta GLBT Chamber of Commerce.
  • Larry Smith has again been selected for inclusion in the annual publication of “Florida Super Lawyers” in the areas of civil defense
  • Larry Smith has been reappointed by the President of The Florida Bar to serve on its Code and Rules of Evidence Committee
  • Peggy Smith Bush has been selected for inclusion in the annual publication of “Florida Super Lawyers” as a “Rising Star.”