Biography

John Smith attended the Ohio State University before graduating from the University of South Florida, receiving his BA. in 1975. While attending the University of South Florida, Mr. Smith worked full time as a welder to supplement his "G.l. Bill" benefits. Mr. Smith attended Wake Forest University and received his J.D., cum laude, in 1979. His scholastic honors include Phi Kappa Phi and American Jurisprudence Book Awards for Evidence, Criminal Law and Procedure, Real Property II and Trial Practice. Following graduation, he served as an Assistant State Attorney, handling both felonies and misdemeanors before entering private practice.In 1980, Mr. Smith joined the firm of Rumberger, Kirk, Caldwell and Cabaniss, P.A. In 1985, he became an equity partner. Mr. Smith resigned in 1989 to become a founding partner at Roth, Edwards & Smith, P.A. In June of 2000, when that firm dissolved, Mr. Smith became a founding partner at Cabaniss Smith Toole & Wiggins, PL.

Throughout his career, Mr. Smith has tried numerous personal injury and death cases. He currently focuses on product liability defense litigation, primarily automotive, premises and general liability defense litigation for Walt Disney World Co.  Mr. Smith is a member of the Florida and Orange County Bar Associations and holds membership in the Florida Defense Lawyers Association and the Defense Research Institute (DRI).

Areas of Practice

Products Liability including motor vehicles and machinery
Premises Liability - Defense
General Liability - Defense

Education

Wake Forest University School of Law, Winston Salem, North Carolina, 1979
Honors: Cum Laude
Honors:  American Jurisprudence Book Awards

Ohio State University, OH

University of South Florida, FL, 1975
B.A.
Honors:  Phi Kappa Phi

Professional Memberships and Associations

Florida Bar
Orange County Bar Association
Florida Defense Lawyers Association
Defense Research Institute

Past Employment Positions

Assistant State Attorney
Rumberger, Kirk, Caldwell and Cabaniss, P.A, 1980 - 1989
Roth, Edwards & Smith, P.A, Founding Partner, 1989 – 2000