Jennifer Smith Thomas

Partner

Orlando Office

407.872.7300

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Practices

Commercial Litigation

Casualty Litigation

Jennifer Smith Thomas focuses her practice in the areas of casualty and commercial litigation.

In particular, Jen represents commercial and residential premises owners, including associations, public entities, and businesses in premises liability actions, including slip/trip and falls, negligent security, and personal injury defense matters including catastrophic injury and/or wrongful death suits. Jen also represents product manufacturers in personal injury suits.

Her commercial litigation experience includes the representation of banks, creditors, financial institutions and title insurance companies in complex business litigation and real property disputes. Jen also has significant appellate, bankruptcy, and post-judgment collection experience.

Retail and Hospitality

The Florida Bar
- Young Lawyers Division, Board of Governors (2015-2017), (2017-2019) (2019-2020)
- Young Lawyers Division, Chair, Diversity Committee
- Standing Committee on Student Education and Admission to the Bar
- Standing Committee on Judicial Administration and Evaluation
- Standing Committee on Professionalism
- Standing Committee on Diversity and Inclusion, Executive Counsel
- Annual Convention Committee
- Aviation Committee
Orange County Bar Association
- Executive Council, Elected for three-year term (2023-2026)
- Co-Chair, OCBA Gala (2022)
- Executive Council (2020-2021)
- Co-Chair, Social Committee (2017-2020)
Orange County Bar Association, Young Lawyers Section
- OCBA Executive Council Liaison to the OCBA Bankruptcy Committee 2020
- Board of Directors, (2015-2017), (2017-2019)
- Communications Chair, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
- Luncheon Committee Chair, 2014
- Evening with the Judiciary, Chair, 2014, 2015; Vice Chair, 2013
- PR Committee Chair, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
- Relay for Life, Chair, 2013
- 250 Project Committee, 2013
Defense Research Institute
- Retail and Hospitality Committee
- Products Liability Committee
- Women in the Law Committee
American Bar Association
- Women in Products Liability
George C. Young American Inn of Court
Reporting Committee, Barrister
Federation of Defense & Corporate Counsel
Co-Chair, FDCC Southeastern Region (2023)
Florida Representative
Central Florida Association of Women Lawyers (CFAWL)

Barry University School of Law — J.D., 2008

Mercer University — B.A. Criminal Justice, Political Science, International Relations, 2005

Florida — 2008

U.S. District Courts of Florida (Southern, Middle, Northern)
U.S. Court of Appeal, 11th Circuit
U.S. Supreme Court

AV-Rated by Martindale-Hubbell

Listed in Best Lawyers in America, Commercial Litigation, 2023, 2024
Florida Super Lawyers Rising Star, Personal Injury General: Defense, 2015-2023
American Institute of Person Injury Attorneys-2016 10 Best Female Attorneys in Client Satisfaction
Orange County Bar Association Young Lawyers Section Award of Excellence, (2014-2015) (2015-2016) (2017-2018)

Panelist, "Preparing for the Storm in 2023," Federation of Defense & Corporate Counsel (FDCC) Winter Meeting, February 2023
Co-author, "A Look Back at the Transitory Foreign Substance Statute," in the Trial Advocate, published by the Florida Defense Lawyers Association, December 2022
Author, "Understanding what Medical Bills the Jury Sees: A Primer on Florida Law for Risk Managers," Public Risk Magazine, July/August 2022
Author, "COVID-19 Litigation: What Hotels Have Learned and How to Mitigate Future Exposure," HotelExecutive, December 2021
Author, "Expanding To-Go Beverage Service Permanently: What to Know," FSR, June 29, 2021
Author, "Cocktails Good 'To-Go' in Fla.: Potential Liability for Portable Libations Providers," Daily Business Review, June 24, 2021
Co-author, "Florida Passes Law for Permanent To-Go Alcoholic Beverages for Restaurants," May 2021
Co-author, "Restaurant Revitalization Grant Offers Relief to Restaurants and Bars: Opens May 1," April 2021
Author, "Florida Governor Signs Liability Limitation Bill into Law," March 2021
Author, "Third DCA Makes Rare Finding Against Arbitrability where Arbitration Clause is Present in Contract," March 2021
Author, "Premises Liability Concerns as Hotels Re-Open in the Wake of COVID-19," published in Hotel Executive, August 23, 2020
Author, "Creditors Beware: Pitfalls Lurking in the CARES Act and Local Orders," June 24, 2020
Author, "COVID-19 General Liability Concerns for Restaurants and Bars as Florida Enters Phase 2," Florida Restaurant & Lodging Magazine, July 2020
Panelist, "Practicing With Professionalism," Florida Bar Young Lawyers Section, 2015, 2016
Moderator, "Practicing With Professionalism," Florida Bar Young Lawyers Section, 2016, 2017
Speaker, "The Winning Edge," FAMU, 2015, 2016
Speaker, "Raising the Bar," FAMU, 2015, 2016
Moderator, YLD Diversity Symposium, May 2017

Jennifer Smith Thomas

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Best Lawyers in America© Recognizes 24 RumbergerKirk Attorneys with Managing Partner Frank Sheppard Named Lawyer of the Year

Seven RumbergerKirk Attorneys Listed in 2023 Florida Super Lawyers®

Jennifer Smith Thomas Elected to OCBA Executive Council

Jennifer Smith Thomas Participates in a Panel Discussion at the FDCC Winter Meeting

A Look Back at the Transitory Foreign Substance Statute

Understanding what Medical Bills the Jury Sees: A Primer on Florida Law for Risk Managers

23 RumbergerKirk Attorneys Named to Best Lawyers in America© 2023

Seven RumbergerKirk Attorneys are Selected for the 2022 Florida Super Lawyers®

Words of Inspiration in Honor of Women’s History Month

COVID-19 Litigation: What Hotels Have Learned and How to Mitigate Future Exposure

Jennifer Smith Thomas

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