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Donna V. Smith
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Donna V. Smith Neutral
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Overview

Donna V. Smith

Donna Smith is a highly effective mediator and arbitrator who has enjoyed a 35 year-long career in the field of labor, employment, and business law.

As an attorney, Donna represented both employers and employees at highly acclaimed law firms. Her vast experience on both sides of the table uniquely impacts the dialogue between parties who are navigating solutions to resolve their disputes. As a mediator, her clients praise her demeanor, patience, and commitment to roll up her sleeves to keep working through even the most unusual challenges.

Donna has litigated a broad range of employment disputes, mediated hundreds of cases, and counseled employees and employers through the intricacies of complex business negotiations, restrictive covenants, trade secrets, business litigation, contracts, and torts. She has extensive single party and collective/class action litigation and dispute resolution experience (FLSA, COBRA, Title VII, ADEA).

Donna is certified by the Florida Supreme Court as a Circuit Civil Court Mediator. She is also a Certified Mediator, United States District Court, Middle District Florida. Donna is an active member of the Labor and Employment and ADR sections of the Florida Bar. She is also admitted to the Georgia Bar.

She is working with the Alternative Dispute Resolution section of the Florida Bar to update mediation practices unique to labor and employment mediations. When she is not serving as a mediator, Donna conducts neutral workplace investigations involving sensitive issues of discrimination, harassment, and trade secret violations.

Admitted to Practice

  • United States District Court, Northern District Florida
  • United States District Court, Southern District Florida
  • United States District Court, Middle District Florida
  • United States District Court, Northern District Georgia
  • 11th Circuit Court of Appeals • Certified Circuit Court Mediator, Florida
  • Certified Mediator, United States District Court, Middle District Florida

Education

  • Tulane University Law School, Juris Doctor cum laude
  • St. John’s College, B.A. in philosophy and mathematics, with highest institutional honors

Professional or Trade Affiliations

  • Member, The Florida Bar, 2003 – Present (Labor and Employment Sections)
  • Member, The Georgia Bar, 1999 – Present (Labor and Employment Sections)
  • Member, The Louisiana Bar, 1989 (Inactive)
  • Member, New York Bar, 1988 (Retired)
  • Member, Connecticut Bar, 1987 (Retired)
  • Member, Hillsborough County Bar Association
  • Member, Hillsborough Association for Women Lawyers
  • Member, National Association of Employment Lawyers

Honors & Awards

  • Named, Best Lawyers in America, 2006 – Present
  • Named, SuperLawyer, 2011 – Present
  • Named, National Trial Lawyer Top 100
  • Named, America’s Most Honored Lawyers
  • Top Rated Lawyer, AVVO.com
  • Martindale-Hubbell, AV Preeminent Rating

Publications

Rates and Fees

Rates - Donna V. Smith

If you have questions regarding our rates and fees, please contact support@milesmediation.com

Tampa Rates 3hr Min. Atlanta Rates4hr Min.
2 Party Case: $237.50 per party; per hour 2 Party Case: $300 per party; per hour
3 Party Case: $212.50 per party; per hour 3 Party Case: $275 per party; per hour
4 Party Case: $187.50 per party; per hour 4 Party Case: $250 per party; per hour
5+ Party Case: Flat Rate Available Upon Request 5+ Party Case: Flat Rate Available Upon Request

Travel time and expenses, including meals and lodging, billed separately and split equally among the parties at the Neutral's hourly rate.
Pre/Post Consultation & Document Review: Hourly Mediation/Arbitration Rate

Mediation /Arbitration Admin Fees
Atlanta Mediation Admin Fee - $300 per party
Tampa Mediation Admin Fee - $100 per party
Arbitration Commencement And Administration Fee: $1500 per party

MEDIATION CANCELLATION POLICY

Mediations cancelled within 10 days of the mediation will be charged a cancellation fee of $500. However, mediations cancelled, rescheduled or settled within 24 hours of the mediation will be charged 4 hrs. of the Neutral's hourly rate . Cancellation fees shall be sent to the cancelling party unless otherwise agreed to by the parties.

ARBITRATION FEE PAYMENT POLICY

Arbitration Commencement and Administrative Fee is $1500.00 per party, per arbitrator. At the commencement of arbitration, each party will be invoiced $1500.00. This fee is refundable minus $500.00 per party until the initial case management order has been issued. All arbitration related invoices are due upon receipt.

ARBITRATION CANCELLATION POLICY

If a single-day Arbitration Hearing scheduled on the merits of the case cancels or reschedules within 15 business days of the hearing, the parties will be charged 4 hours of the Arbitrator’s hourly rate. However, if the single-day Arbitration Hearing cancels or reschedules within 2 business days of the hearing, the parties will be charged 8 hours of the Arbitrator’s hourly rate.

If a multi-day Arbitration Hearing scheduled on the merits of the case cancels or reschedules within 28 business days of the hearing, the parties will be charged 4 hours of the Arbitrator's hourly rate for each day reserved for the hearing. However, if the multi-day Arbitration Hearing cancels or reschedules within 7 business days of the hearing, the parties will be charged 8 hours of the Arbitrator's hourly rate for each day reserved for the hearing.

Issuance of the Final Arbitration Order/Award

Arbitration Awards/Orders will not be issued to either party until Miles has received full payment for all fees and expenses associated with the arbitration.