April 17, 2012

Veteran lawmaker and former Congressman Lawrence J. Smith joins nationwide law firm Kelley Kronenberg as Government Affairs Liaison

Fort Lauderdale, Fla. – The nationwide law firm Kelley Kronenberg has continued the expansion of its legal team and practice areas with the addition of former Congressman Lawrence J. Smith. Congressman Smith will lead the firm’s Government Consulting group and will also focus on insurance law.

“Larry’s vast experience with government affairs, insurance law and business entities in Florida and around the country will be a tremendous asset to our firm and our clients,” said Shareholder Howard Wander. “As a former Congressman he provides a unique perspective and insight into politics and business development.”

Government Affairs is one of several new practice areas that Kelley Kronenberg has recently added to the firm, including trusts and estates, bankruptcy, foreclosures, criminal law and family law. The firm has also added office locations in Houston, Chicago and Tallahassee, as well as several new attorneys. Over the past few years, the firm has increased its legal staff by more than 30 percent.

Congressman Smith was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives (16^th District) from 1983 to 1993, where he served as Deputy Majority Whip and member of the Committee on Steering and Policy. From 1978 to 1982, he was a member of the Florida House of Representatives (96^th District) where he was Chairman of the Criminal Justice Committee and a member of the Governor’s Task Force on Criminal Justice. His background also includes work with the B’nai B’rith Center for Public Policy – Southern Region, Broward Legislative Delegation Task Force on Annexation, as well as the Planning and Zoning Board in Hollywood, FL.

Prior to joining the firm, Congressman Smith was the President/Owner of Lawrence J. Smith, P.A., representing clients in Fort Lauderdale, Tallahassee and Washington, D.C. at the local, state, and federal level. He attended New York University, and received a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) and his juris doctor from Brooklyn Law School. He was admitted to the New York Bar in 1964 and admitted to the Florida bar in 1972.

“Kelley Kronenberg is a dynamic and evolving firm, and I look forward to helping it grow these new areas,” said Congressman Smith. “I am confident the firm will provide an excellent venue for me to merge my capabilities with their existing expertise.”