Dennis D. Smith is the chairman of Tripp Scott and a respected attorney, civic leader, and proud Pompano Beach native, whose lifelong commitment to South Florida spans law, business, and community service.

A skilled negotiator with extensive experience handling complex financing transactions and corporate matters, he assists corporate clients with a full range of legal services, from mergers and acquisitions to estate planning. Smith was a standout student-athlete, graduating from Pompano Beach High School with First Team All-County honors in football before earning his degree from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School, a JD from Villanova Law School, and an LLM in taxation from the University of Miami. In 1977, he joined Norman Tripp to help build what would become one of South Florida’s most prominent law firms. Two years later, Jim Scott joined the partnership, and the firm evolved into today’s Tripp Scott.

Smith is a devoted community leader who serves on both the Lighthouse Planning and Zoning Board for 20 years and the Urban League of Broward County. In addition, he is a member of and previously served as president (twice) of the Executives' Association of Fort Lauderdale; and is a member of the board and executive committee of the Broward Workshop, and also co-chairs its Business Advocacy and Healthcare Committees. Smith served on the boards of the Regional Business Alliance, the FAU Broward Advisory Council, and was Pine Crest School, where he was previously chaired the Board of Trustees. Additionally, he is the founder of the South Florida Buy Recycled Expo, which helped raise public awareness of environmental issues.

The South Florida Business Journal recognized Smith as one of the region's best lawyers. In addition, the city of Lighthouse Point named him a true "Keeper" and Children's Home Society's Intracoastal division named Smith and his wife, Pat, as its "Celebrate the Century" honorees in 1999.