Lori Smith leads the firm’s Education Law practice, representing private, independent schools across the state. Lori has extensive experience in Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act, representing private schools navigate the complex issue of accommodating student disabilities, and defending schools in actions for violation of Title III and Section 504.  Lori routinely advises private on issues including student discrimination/harassment claims and investigations, student/parent handbooks, enrollment contracts, student discipline, student hazing, Florida DOE issues; sexting/social media/cyberbullying discipline and investigations, independent school best practices and policy development. She is also a frequent lecturer with the Florida Council of Independent Schools (FCIS) which accredits private schools throughout the State of Florida and provides annual faculty training and professional development to clients on issues like abuse reporting, risk management and best practices to avoid claims.

Lori also speaks to students across the country with her popular presentation “The Top Ten Mistakes Teens Make on Social Media”,  and educates parents on the habits of today’s teens with the presentation:  “The Parents Playbook: How to Help Your Student Avoid Online Mistakes.”  More information about the Social Media training offered can be found here (insert link).

As a member of the firm’s commercial litigation department for over 25 years, Lori has represented employers in both state and federal court.  Lori’s practice involves assisting clients through wage and hour investigations, harassment and discrimination claims, and drafting employment policies, handbooks and contracts.  Her clients include large corporations with human resource departments as well as small individually owned companies. As part of her employment law practice, Lori also provided personalized, on-site workplace training for employers on preventing and responding to harassment/discrimination in the workplace, supervisor training, and training on how to avoid the most common legal claims.