Kurt Smith is the founder of Smith Legal Group. His practice focuses almost exclusively on Family Law, although he also has experience in commercial litigation, personal injury, insurance law, corporate law, criminal law, estate planning, and bankruptcy. Mr. Smith holds a Juris Doctorate from the William S. Boyd School of Law at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Mr. Smith also holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Management Information Systems. Prior to forming Smith Legal Group, Mr. Smith was an associate at a prominent national firm, focusing on civil litigation and insurance law. In addition, Mr. Smith worked as a Project Manager for IBM in its Global Services Division. In this role, Mr. Smith managed information security projects for Fortune 500 companies. Mr. Smith also played an integral role in IBM’s globalization projects and assisted in the deployment of technology solutions in Argentina, Brazil, France, Scotland, and India. Mr. Smith also spent several years working in the insurance industry as an insurance adjuster during which he specialized in on-scene accident investigations and accident reconstruction. Mr. Smith is admitted to practice before the State and Federal Courts of Nevada. He is a member of the American Bar Association and Clark County Bar Association.

Ms. Smith has worked in the legal field since 2001, but her career started in social work. Ms. Smith grew up in Burnsville, Minnesota, but relocated to Arizona to attend the University of Arizona. After graduation, Ms. Smith worked at a Domestic Violence shelter. Knowing there was something more she could do to advocate for the women and children she was working with, Ms. Smith decided to go to law school in an effort to pursue her passion of helping people in need. Ms. Smith graduated from the University of Denver College of Law in 2001 and returned to Arizona to be admitted to the Bar that fall. From 2006-2013 Ms. Smith worked as Guardian ad Litem at Maricopa County Office of the Legal Advocate, advocating for children in the custody of the Department of Child Services. In 2013, Ms. Smith started her solo practice, contracting with Maricopa County to represent parents and children in Juvenile Court. Ms. Smith also begin focusing on adoptions, including DCS, private and step-parent.

Prior to joining M & T, Victoria owned and operated her own law firm as a solo practitioner who practiced family law together with probate law for over fifteen (15) years in St. Lucie County, Florida. However, when she moved to Orlando, she was interested in working with a firm where she could be part of a team such as Meriwether and Tharp, LLC. During her extensive years of practicing family law, she has honed one of her major professional strengths which is uncovering a client’s needs and negotiating settlements while diffusing tense situations that divorcing parties encounter during a difficult time in their lives. Victoria has dealt with many legal issues within the area of family law that have a major impact on the lives of her clients. By being able to recognize these potential issues from the outset, she is able to positively affect the client’s end results. Victoria earned her Juris Doctorate (J.D.), with honors, from Nova Southeastern University, Shepard Broad Law School, in 2001. Before attending law school, she pursued her Bachelors and Masters degrees from Florida Atlantic University (“FAU”) and University of Central Florida (“UCF”). She graduated magna cum laude from FAU with a M.Ed in early childhood education and a B.A. in communicative disorders from UCF. Prior to becoming an attorney, Victoria was employed by the St. Lucie County School System as a Speech and Language Pathologist and taught various child development/education classes at Indian River Community College in Fort Pierce, Florida. She was a Florida certified teacher for over twenty three (23) years. The educational system definitely opened her eyes to the challenges divorcing families experience when drafting and executing parenting plans for their minor children. During law school, many distinct clinics and internships were offered to the students and Victoria seized the opportunity to avail herself of the ADR, Domestic Violence and Bankruptcy clinics/internships. From the very beginning, she was actively involved in family law issues. In fact, Victoria found her passion for alternative dispute resolution (“ADR”) in one of these clinics. She participated in the ADR Clinic where she trained to become a mediator. Following law school, she continued to pursue Alternative Dispute Resolution by becoming a Florida Supreme Court Certified Family, Circuit Civil and County Mediator. However, she didn’t stop there. She gained her certification in foreclosure mediation and quickly studied to become a Qualified Arbitrator. Victoria believes in the mediation process because it leaves the decision making in the client’s hands, not the courts. Moreover, ADR allows the parties the opportunity to tell their story. When the parties make their own decisions, then they tend to feel a greater allegiance/loyalty to adhere to the formalized agreement, thereby avoiding costly and lengthy litigation. It promotes amicable resolutions in a more cost efficient and timely manner. Mediation is a beneficial tool used to encourage effective co-parenting skills. When parties amicably reach an agreement in mediation, it is a clear indicator that they will be able to put the conflict aside and provide the necessary stability and security for their children. Victoria has been actively involved in legal, civic and community organizations throughout the State of Florida. She understands the importance of giving back to the community and offers her services to organizations, such as Florida Rural Legal Services and other surrounding local legal aid societies. She has offered her legal services to Florida Rural Legal Services by providing legal advice on completing initial divorce documents, drafting settlement agreements and creating parenting plans to pro bono clients. Additionally, she was elected to serve in all capacities on the executive board (elected as Secretary/Treasurer, Vice-President, President and Immediate Past President) of the St. Lucie County Bar Association for four (4) years and she served on the governing board of CASTLE for almost five (5) years. CASTLE is an organization that provides education and raises awareness for the prevention of child abuse and neglect. Victoria has been an active member of the Florida Bar since 2003. She has participated and been a member of the following professional associations/organizations: the American Inns of Court (2014-2017), FAWL (Florida Association of Women Lawyers)(2000-Present) and Florida Academy of Professional Mediators (2010-Present). Her participation in these legal, civic and community organizations have resulted in several Pro Bono Awards from Nova Southeastern University and Florida Rural Legal Services. She received an Outstanding Service Award from the St. Lucie County Bar Association for her service as President.

DAWN SOUTH has been practicing law since 2009 and has concentrated her practice solely in the area of family law. She is a tenacious litigator who uses thorough preparation, her trial advocacy skills and experience to represent the needs of her clients. She prefers to work for and help individuals and families as opposed to businesses and corporations, which is why she was drawn to the practice of family law. Ms. South is known for responsiveness to her clients and being a tough litigator. She finds satisfaction in helping people take back control of their lives in tough situations. Consideration and preparation are at the forefront of her work. She has previously worked with Bremner, Janus & Stone; Martin, Ingles & Hensley; and Deanna D. Cook, P.C. She is proud to volunteer with Comfort Zone Camp. Ms. South was admitted to the Virginia State Bar in 2009 (member, Domestic Relations Section). She is also a member of the City of Richmond Bar Association and the Metro Richmond Family Law Bar Association. She has served on the Domestic Relations Section of the Richmond Bench Bar Conference and is the 2019 Co-chair of the Richmond Bench Bar Conference.