Michael Smith is the managing partner of the Tavares and Ocala office locations in Lake and Marion County, Florida. He is also a member of the firm's statewide risk management committee, and oversees personal injury litigation nationwide. Mr. Smith has been practicing law since 1996 and is admitted to the Florida Bar and the Colorado Bar. In 2009, he achieved board certification in civil trial law, which recognizes highly specialized achievement and expertise that very few lawyers in Florida acquire. He currently maintains this recognition with the Florida Bar.
He was raised in Ocala, Florida and graduated with high honors from Forest High School. He attended the University of Florida, graduating with a bachelor of science degree in Zoology with honors.
Mr. Smith then attended Stetson University College of Law where he also graduated with honors. Mr. Smith began his legal career as an assistant state attorney for the State of Florida. He prosecuted such crimes as drug trafficking, sex crimes, and was specially appointed as a felony domestic violence prosecutor. During the 3 years he served as a prosecutor, he conducted over 150 jury trials. Following his government service, Mr. Smith was an in-house attorney for State Farm Insurance Company as a claims litigation attorney. He worked for 2 years for State Farm specializing in personal injury and insurance dispute cases.
Since joining Morgan and Morgan in 2001, Mr. Smith has represented thousands of clients and their families injured by the negligence of others. He has obtained awards from juries in far excess of the offers made by insurance companies and has even successfully obtained settlements from major corporations.
Recent Wins
Thomas, Brian v. Rivera, Thomas & Lake County
$2,486,717
Car Accident
2022
Love, Thomas v. Johnson, Cecil & Ellen
$921,172
Car Accident
2022
Harmon v. Butler
$878,662
Car Accident
2018
Persley v. Schaare
$459,000
Car Accident
2012
Albertus Van Hagen v. Allstate
$332,000
Car Accident
2017
Hamby v. Colon
$250,000
Car Accident
2007
Pray v. Publix
$202,688
Slip and Fall
2012
Schneider, Walter vs. Webster, Kyla & Owners Insurance
$197,000
Car Accident
2022
Kathylee Johnson v. 21st Century
$159,427
Car Accident
2017
Kolodzaike v. Estate of Lewis
$100,000
Personal Injury
2019
Joyce Byrd v. Franklin Brickey
$75,000
Car Accident
2018
Hipsher v. McDade
$62,000
Car Accident
2009
Lloyd v. Alqwasarey
$50,000
Car Accident
2009
Elser v. Rodriguez
$47,500
Car Accident
2007
Baker v. Chandler
$28,000
Car Accident
2011
Endicott v. Kiburz
$25,000
Car Accident
2006
Wright v. Fiedler
$25,000
Car Accident
2012
Vincenty v. Gettel
$25,000
Car Accident
2014
Bolduc v. Progressive
$22,000
Car Accident
2007
Williams v. Nicholson
$15,000
Car Accident
2012
Fraeunshuh v. Pruitt
$9,000
Car Accident
2014
Thomas v. Ortiz
$8,500
Car Accident
2009
Turner v. Thornton
$5,500
Car Accident
2011
(Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyer, Florida Bar Board of Legal Specialization and Education).
AV Preeminent®: The highest peer rating standard. This rating signifies a large number of the lawyer’s peers rank him
or her at the highest level of professional excellence for their legal knowledge, communication skills and ethical standards.
Distinguished: An excellent rating for a lawyer with some experience. This rating indicates the attorney is widely
respected by their peers for high professional achievement and ethical standards.
