Lori Smith leads the firm’s Education Law practice, representing private, independent schools in Florida. Lori has extensive experience in Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act, representing private schools in navigating the complex issue of accommodating student disabilities and defending schools in actions for violation of Title III and Section 504. Lori routinely advises private schools 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 a frequent lecturer with the Florida Council of Independent Schools (FCIS), which accredits private schools throughout Florida. She also provides clients with annual faculty training and professional development 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.” 

As a firm’s commercial litigation department member for over 25 years, Lori has represented employers in 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 and 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.