Christopher J. Smith

A native of Akron, Ohio, Christopher J. Smith serves as a managing partner at Goldstein, Buckley, Cechman, Rice & Purtz, P.A., in Fort Myers, Florida. He focuses his practice exclusively on personal injury claims involving wrongful death, slip-and-fall accidents, motor vehicle accidents, motorcycle accidents, trucking accidents, negligent security and more.

After receiving his bachelor’s degree with honors from John Carroll University in 2004, Mr. Smith graduated cum laude with his Juris Doctor from St. Thomas University School of Law in 2007. The same year, he was admitted to practice in Florida and later before the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida. During his time at John Carroll University, he played for the John Carroll University Football Team.

Board-certified as a civil trial attorney by The Florida Bar, Mr. Smith is a recipient of several honors and accolades. He has earned the highest possible rating of AV Preeminent* through Martindale-Hubbell and was selected for inclusion in the 40 Under 40 by Gulfshore Business. 

Mr. Smith has been practicing law for over 15 years and has won multiple cases and large settlements for his clients. He is a tough, well-informed and extremely effective professional, according to his colleagues and clients. His dedication to his clients has earned him a "Superb" rating on Avvo. 

Mr. Smith is an Eagle member of the Florida Justice Association and the current president of the American Board of Trial Advocates. He has spoken and published blogs on topics related to his field. 

*AV®, AV Preeminent®, Martindale-Hubbell Distinguished and Martindale-Hubbell Notable are certification marks used under license in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies. Martindale-Hubbell® is the facilitator of a peer review rating process. Ratings reflect the anonymous opinions of members of the bar and the judiciary. Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Rating™ falls into two categories – legal ability and general ethical standards.