Atty. Jennifer Smith Thomas
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.
Profile Summary
About Jennifer Smith Thomas at a glance
Jennifer Smith Thomas is a Partner based in Orlando, Florida, practicing at Rumberger, Kirk & Caldwell Professional Association. They have 18+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 2008. Their practice focuses on business and litigation. Educated at Barry University School of Law (J.D., 2008) and Mercer University (B.A. Criminal, 2005). Active member of Young American Inn of Court Reporting Committee, Barrister •Federation of Defense & Corporate Counsel •Southeast Region, Chair. Serands clients in Orlando, FL and the surrounding metropolitan area.
Want to Get Service From This Attorney?
Sign up free and choose one of the two methods below.
Have a legal question? Sign up free, submit it through the Ask the Attorney module and receive a focused answer from a specialist.
- Free to ask a question
- Answers from specialist attorneys
- Optional private / anonymous question
Request an online video meeting or an in-person consultation at the attorney's office. Pick a time that works for you and share the details securely.
- Online video meeting
- In-person at the attorney's office
- Secure messaging and payment
About
- 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
- Certifications •AV-Rated by Martindale-Hubbell Awards & Honors •Listed in Best Lawyers in America, Commercial Litigation, 2023-2026 •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) Articles & Presentations •Author, 'You Don’t Get (to) Squat!: Two New Florida Laws Expedite the Unauthorized Guest Removal Process for the Hotel and Commercial Properties Industries,' September 2025 •Co-author, 'How Florida’s New Comparative Fault Laws Can Help QSRs Reduce Liability Risk,' QSR Magazine, August 2024 •Co-author, 'Florida High Court Gave Bars a Big Win, But There Are Additional Ways to Reduce Liability Risk,' Modern Restaurant Management, July 2024 •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's News and Insights 09.18.2025 Commercial Litigation You Don’t Get (to) Squat!: Two New Florida Laws Expedite the Unauthorized Guest Removal Process for Hotel and Commercial Properties On June 2, 2025, Governor Ron DeSantis signed two new
Photo
- Shutterstock.com/gnohz 08.21.2025 Firm News 27 RumbergerKirk Attorneys Named to the 2026 edition of The Best Lawyers in America Dan Gerber and Leonard Dietzen Named “Lawyer of the Year
- ”... 08.01.2025 Firm News Leading the Way: Jennifer Smith Thomas Steps into New FDCC Leadership Roles Jennifer Smith Thomas has been appointed the Chair of the... 08.27.2024 Casualty Litigation How Florida’s New Comparative Fault Laws Can Help QSRs Reduce Liability Risk In the highly competitive quick-service restaurant industry, fast-food chains are
- Shutterstock.com/Arisani 08.15.2024 Firm News Best Lawyers in America 2025 Edition Recognizes 24 RumbergerKirk Attorneys Two Named “Lawyer of the Year” and Two Named “Ones... 07.30.2024 Casualty Litigation Florida High Court Gave Bars a Big Win, But There Are Additional Ways to Reduce Liability Risk Owners of bars, taverns, restaurants and other establishments serving alcohol
Photo
Shutterstock.com/Pokoman 03.05.2024 Beyond the Bio RumbergerKirk Laces Up to Give Back at the 10th Annual OCBA Law Day 5K We had a great time at the Orange County Bar... 08.17.2023 Firm News Best Lawyers in America Recognizes 24 RumbergerKirk Attorneys with Managing Partner Frank Sheppard Named Lawyer of the Year ORLANDO, FL - August 17, 2023 - Best Lawyers has... 06.26.2023 Firm News Seven RumbergerKirk Attorneys Listed in 2023 Florida Super Lawyers Orlando, FL- June 26, 2023 - RumbergerKirk is pleased to... 03.08.2023 Firm News Jennifer Smith Thomas Elected to OCBA Executive Council Jennifer Smith Thomas has been elected to the Orange County
Practice Areas Explained
Jennifer Smith Thomas's Areas of Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Jennifer Smith Thomas handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.
Business attorneys advise founders and growing companies on entity formation, contracts, financing, M&A, and dispute resolution.
Jennifer Smith Thomas is one of 501,317 business attorneys indexed nationally. Browse business attorneys in Florida →
Civil litigation attorneys for breach of contract, business disputes, civil rights, and class action lawsuits.
Jennifer Smith Thomas is one of 454,532 litigation attorneys indexed nationally. Browse litigation attorneys in Florida →
Jurisdictional Context
Why local counsel matters in Florida
Practicing law in Florida. Legal matters in Florida are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Orlando are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate Florida state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in Florida brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this andnue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in Florida courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.
Looking for additional Florida attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Orlando or all attorneys in Florida.
Frequently Asked
Common questions about Jennifer Smith Thomas
Where is Jennifer Smith Thomas's law office located?
What practice areas does Jennifer Smith Thomas handle?
How long has Jennifer Smith Thomas practiced law?
Where did Jennifer Smith Thomas go to law school?
How can I contact Jennifer Smith Thomas for a consultation?
Practice Areas
Education
Reviews
No reviews yet.