Sen. Chris Smith Joins Tripp Scott

Tripp Scott is pleased to announce that Sen. Chris Smith has joined the firm’s land use team.  Sen. Smith is a leader in Florida politics, having served in both chambers of the Florida Legislature, on issues of election and criminal justice reform, insurance regulation and civil justice.      

With the addition of Sen. Smith, Tripp Scott’s land use team will provide added depth of service to its clients in Broward County and in Tallahassee. Sen. Smith will assist clients in developing effective strategies to ensure that their interests are heard by those who impact them. Specifically, Sen. Smith’s long record of service in Broward County, where he first began serving on the Fort Lauderdale Planning and Zoning Board during a time of great expansion, will be a significant resource to clients. Tripp Scott will remain focused on commercial and civil litigation, real estate, trust and estates, government, labor and employment, environment, health care, intellectual property and maritime litigation, among other areas. 

Prior to joining Tripp Scott, Sen. Smith served in the Florida Senate and in the Florida House of Representatives where he served as Democrat Leader, only the second person in the history of the state to serve as Leader both chambers.

Smith’s long-standing career of service began at a young age. He spent his formative years actively involved in many youth organizations including the Fort Lauderdale Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Youth Council. He is currently an active member with the TJ Reddick Bar Association, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Jack and Jill, Mount Bethel Human Services Corp. and is the founder of the Chris Smith All-Star Classic.  Smith previously served on the Board of Directors for the Museum of Discovery and Science and the Children Service Council of Broward County.

Smith holds degrees from Johnson C. Smith University (JCSU) in Charlotte, North Carolina and Florida State University College of Law.  A Fort Lauderdale native, Smith lives in Broward County, Florida with his wife Desorae Giles and their two sons Christopher and Christian.