FORT MYERS, Fla. - TelAve -- Christopher Smith, co-managing partner at Goldstein, Buckley, Cechman, Rice, Purtz, Smith & Smith P.A. has been named Attorney of the Year by the Southwest Florida Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA).

The American Board of Trial Advocates, founded in 1958, is an organization dedicated to defending the American civil justice system. With a membership of more than 7,300 experienced attorneys representing both plaintiffs and defendants in civil cases, ABOTA promotes the value of the constitutionally mandated jury system as the protector of the rights of individuals and property.

The Attorney of the Year award for the Southwest Florida chapter is a local award that recognizes an attorney for outstanding work and commitment to excellence in advocacy. Honorees demonstrate a distinguished career, a superb reputation for high ethics and fair play, an outstanding recent case result, and meaningful service to ABOTA while exemplifying its ideals.

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"It feels great to be nominated by my peers for doing what I do every day, taking care of my clients like family and navigating their fight for justice. I'm honored to receive this award," said Smith. "To be recognized among all the great attorneys in Southwest Florida is not something I take lightly."

Smith was given the award at the chapter's annual Judicial Appreciation Dinner and Award Ceremony on Oct. 30 at The Club at Grandezza in Estero.

About Goldstein, Buckley, Cechman, Rice, Purtz, Smith & Smith

Goldstein, Buckley, Cechman, Rice, Purtz, Smith & Smith P.A. is a personal injury firm representing those injured by the wrongdoing of others in Southwest Florida since 1962. The firm's experienced attorneys are board certified by the Florida Bar, and areas of practice include personal injury and accidents, trip, slip and fall, premises liability, wrongful death, motorcycle and truck accidents, wills, and estate planning and administration. With offices in Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Naples, Lehigh Acres and Port Charlotte, attorneys can be reached by calling 239-500-HURT or visiting JusticeStartsNow.com (https://gbclaw.com/).