David L. Smith Attorney At Law

For over thirty-five years, David has been a real estate, land use, and local government law attorney. His practice includes obtaining state and local government regulatory approvals and all matters attendant to the acquisition, development, and utilization of real property. He has been responsible for the application and approval of multiple Developments of Regional Impact. David has prepared, filed, and obtained approval for residential and mixed-use fee simple and condominium projects. He has also documented and obtained approval for multi-use commercial, marina, retail, and residential condominium and timeshare projects, including a multiphase, mixed-use timeshare residential, commercial marina project in Key West. David has assisted multistate developers with foreign jurisdiction sale solicitation requirements for projects in Florida and St. Croix. He has represented numerous lending institutions in drafting the documentation and closing of all manner of real estate and commercial loans. He has worked in special assets, assisting bankruptcy practitioners with the implications of complicated business and real estate transactions. David has issued title insurance in conjunction with loans, acquisitions, and developments in state and multi-state undertakings as aggregate refinancings or exchanges. He has prepared mobile home park prospectuses and a wide variety of leases as well as other real estate and development-related documentation. He also served as Tampa City attorney for more than four years and was involved in all aspects of the city’s legal concerns, including drafting ordinances, representing the city in Tallahassee, overseeing all litigation, and serving as legal adviser to the mayor, city council, and various department heads. David has served as general counsel for the Hillsborough County Aviation Authority, the Hillsborough Transit Authority (HART) and as special counsel for other special districts, municipalities, and counties. He has also been involved in representing community development districts, the creation and representation of community redevelopment agencies, and in related developer and local government litigation concerning same. 

• Recognition
  • AV Rated by Martindale-Hubbell
    • AV Preeminent Attorney - Judicial Edition, 2024
  • Avvo Rating, Top Lawyer, 2024
  • Best Lawyers in America, 2016-2025
    • Banking and Finance Law
      • Lawyer of the Year, 2019
    • Land Use and Zoning Law
      • Lawyer of the Year, 2019, 2024
    • Municipal Law
  • Florida Trend, Legal Elite, 2022
  • Florida Super Lawyers, 2008-2013
  • American Registry, Top Attorneys in Florida, Government/Cities/Municipalities Law, 2012
• Insights
  • Lecturer, National Business Institute, CLE
  • Lecturer, Florida Bar, CLE
• Affiliations
  • American Bar Association
    • Real Estate Finance Committee
    • Environmental Law Section
    • Administrative Law Section
  • The Florida Bar
    • Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section
      • Former Executive Council
      • Government Regulation and Land Use Committee, Former Co-Chair 
      • Condominium Committee
      • Mobile Home Law Committee, Chair
  • Hillsborough County Bar Association
  • Tampa Downtown Partnership
    • Board Member
    • Executive Committee Member
      • Chair, 2013-2014; 2014-2015
      • Chair Elect, 2012-2013
      • Secretary, 2010-2011
  • Tampa Hillsborough Economic Development Corp.
    • Former General Counsel
  • ALS Association, Tampa Bay Chapter
    • Board Member and Past President
  • Chamber of Commerce, State and Local Government Committee, Former Chair
  • Christ the King Parish
  • Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce
  • Hillsborough County Bar Foundation, Past Board Member
  • Hillsborough County Cable Advisory Committee
  • Leadership Florida, Class of 27
  • Tampa Bay Preschool and Kindergarten, Former Board Member and President
  • Temple Terrace Golf and Country Club, Former Board Member and Vice President
• Credentials
  • J.D., University of Florida, 1980, with honors
    • Law Review
  • A.M., University of Chicago, political science, 1977
• Admissions
  • Florida
  • Florida Supreme Court
  • U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida