Real-Time Availability Calendar
Jose Smith
BILINGUAL – ENGLISH & SPANISH
Mediation Rates:
– 2 Party Case: $400 per hour
– 3 Party Case: $450 per hour
– 4 Party Case: $480 per hour
Minimum Fees:
– Half Day – 2 hours, or the amount of time reserved if more than 2 hours
– Full Day – 6 hours, or the amount of time reserved if more than 6 hours
The mediation fee is calculated based on your Mediator’s hourly billing rate as detailed above including any pre-mediation preparation time and post-mediation follow-up time spent on the matter. Note: we do not charge any administrative, scheduling, or rescheduling fees. In exchange we ask that you please respect our time and the cancellation policy below.
MEDIATION CANCELLATION POLICY
If the mediation is canceled or rescheduled less than 72 hours (Monday – Friday) prior to the scheduled session, each party will be billed for their portion of the minimum fee. Note: it is your responsibility to notify us of a schedule change or cancellation; you should not rely on another party to do so. Please keep in mind our cancellation policy is meant to fairly compensate your Mediator for reserving the time scheduled for this mediation, which typically cannot be filled in less than 72 hours.
- Non-Binding Arbitration
- Binding Arbitration
- Personal Injury Medical Malpractice
- Business Litigation
- Condo & HOA Disputes
- Municipal Zoning Government
- Commercial Litigation
- Construction/Real Estate
- Insurance Coverage
- Professional Ethics
- Conflicts of Interests
- Sunshine Law
- Public Records
- Complex Civil Litigation: Torts, Municipal and Commercial Litigation
- Public/Private Partnerships (P-3’s)
Mr. Smith graduated, with honors, from the University of Florida. After gaining considerable litigation experience, he founded his own firm in 1983. He was Board Certified from 1992-1997. After serving on the Miami Beach City Commission for 8 years, he was appointed City Attorney, serving until 2014. He then served as City Attorney in North Miami Beach until 2018. For over 30 years, Mr. Smith has also been involved in all aspects of local government law. He has developed a unique, well rounded expertise in identifying complex legal problems and finding practical solutions. He currently serves as a Special Magistrate for the City of North Miami. Mr. Smith has also lectured students on mediation techniques.
CERTIFICATIONS
- Florida Supreme Court Certified Circuit Court Civil Mediator
- Special Magistrate, Town of Medley, 2022
EDUCATION
- University of Florida, B.A. (with honors) 1971
- University of Florida, College of Law J. D. (with honors) 1973
- Member, The Florida Bar 1974
- Florida Bar Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyer 1992-1997
- Florida Bar Fee Arbitration Committee 1997-1998
- Florida Bar Standing Committee on the Unauthorized Practice of Law 1983-1988
- Miami Beach Bar Association
- Miami-Dade County League of Cities Advisory Committee
- American Arbitration Association 1978-1990
- South Florida Legal Guide, “South Florida’s Top Government Attorneys” 2012
- Florida Trend’s Magazine, “Florida Legal Elite” 2008
- Appointed by the Miami Beach City Commission to Chair the North Beach Community Redevelopment Agency Advisory Committee in 2021
- Miami Beach City Commissioner 1997-2005
- Chair, City of Miami Beach Finance and Citywide Projects committee 2001-2005
- Miami -Dade Metropolitan Planning Organization 2001-2005
- Chair, City of Miami Beach Community Affairs Committee 1998-2001
- Chair, City of Miami Beach City Attorney’s Oversight Committee 1998-2005
- Miami Beach Planning Board 1996-1997
- Miami Beach Community Development Advisory Committee 1994-1996
- Chairman, Normandy Shores Neighborhood District Advisory Council 1994-1996
- Miami Beach Charter Review and Revision Board 1992-1993
- Jackie Gleason theater Booking Policy Committee 1992-1997
- Miami Tourist and Convention Center Expansion Authority 1986-1991
- Board of Directors, Normandy Shores, Homeowners Association 1992-1997
- City Attorney (2014-2018)
- General Counsel, North Miami Beach Community Redevelopment Agency
- Trustee, Pension Board for Management Employees
- Member, Evaluation Committee for Selection of North Miami City Attorney 2017
- Dispute Resolution and Tort Litigation Techniques. Lecture with Professor Kim McCoy, Florida International University Law School, March 2009
- University of Miami Pire Law Advisory Club, Legal Topics, September 7, 2011
- Sunshine Law: Ethics Training for Constitutional Officers, St Thomas University, November 7, 2013, Power Point Presentation coordinated with Professor Robert Meyers
- Havana and Miami: Political Influences of Cuban Americans in South Florida. Lecture to Drew University students at Hampton Inn, Miami Dadeland, May 17, 2017
- Authored, Miami-Dade League of Cities “Elected Officials Handbook, 2012