News Summary
Andrea Pleimling Smith has been appointed as co-managing partner of the law firm Goldstein, Buckley, Cechman, Rice, Purtz, Smith & Smith. She will share leadership responsibilities with her husband, Christopher Smith, following their recent promotions. Together, they will oversee operations and drive growth for the firm, which has a strong presence in Southwest Florida. Andrea, who joined the firm in 2014, has a successful track record in personal injury law and has facilitated expansion in the firm’s Cape Coral and Port Charlotte offices.
Fort Myers Recognizes Leadership Change at Goldstein, Buckley, Cechman, Rice, Purtz, Smith & Smith
Fort Myers, FL — In a significant leadership development, the law firm Goldstein, Buckley, Cechman, Rice, Purtz, Smith & Smith has announced the appointment of Andrea Pleimling Smith as co-managing partner. She will share this key role with her husband, Christopher Smith, marking a notable transition in the firm’s management structure.
Key Leadership Roles and Responsibilities
The appointment was publicly disclosed following a recent promotion of both spouses to partner status in the firm during March. As co-managing partners, Andrea and Christopher Smith will oversee short-term and long-term strategic planning, client relationship management, fiscal and organizational oversight, business development, and compliance issues. Their leadership aims to guide the firm through an expanding legal landscape in Southwest Florida.
Profile of Andrea Pleimling Smith
Andrea Pleimling Smith became a part of the firm in 2014 and achieved partnership just three years later in 2017. Her role includes managing the firm’s rapidly expanding offices in Cape Coral and Port Charlotte. She specializes in personal injury, wrongful death, motor vehicle and motorcycle accidents, slip and falls, and spinal cord injuries.
In 2019, Andrea was recognized as a Business Observer 40 under 40 winner, highlighting her professional achievements and emerging leadership within the regional legal community. She has expressed her honor to help lead what is regarded as Southwest Florida’s premier personal injury law firm, which has served the community for over 60 years.
About the Firm
Goldstein, Buckley, Cechman, Rice, Purtz, Smith & Smith P.A. was founded in 1962 and has established a deep-rooted presence in Southwest Florida. The firm’s practice areas span personal injury, accidents, trip/slip and fall incidents, premises liability, wrongful death, motorcycle and truck accidents, medical malpractice, wills, estate planning, and estate administration.
The company maintains offices in Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Naples, Lehigh Acres, and Port Charlotte, with a history of expansion, including acquiring neighboring office space to support growth and client services.
Leadership and Staffing
Christopher Smith, a fellow managing partner since 2018, joined the firm earlier in 2011 as a partner. The couple first met during legal proceedings when Andrea was an opposing counsel, before joining the same firm in 2014.
Other significant partners associated with the firm include Stephen Buckley (member since 1969), John Cechman (since 1972), and Richard Purtz (since 1983). Notably, Eve T.K. Volkmann joined in 2019 and became a partner in 2024. The firm also recently welcomed Kristin L. Stocks and Mark Precheur as attorneys in 2024.
Continued Growth and Community Presence
Despite its longstanding roots, the firm continues to evolve, currently occupying its original downtown Fort Myers office while expanding into new spaces. This growth aligns with its goal to serve a broad and diverse client base across the region.
In summary, the appointment of Andrea Pleimling Smith as co-managing partner underscores the firm’s commitment to leadership continuity and expansion. The leadership team’s focus remains on delivering experienced legal counsel in personal injury and related areas, while maintaining a strong community presence in Southwest Florida.
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Additional Resources
- Business Observer: SWFL Personal Injury Law Firm Names Co-Managing Partner
- Wikipedia: Law firm
- Cape Coral Breeze: Veteran Fort Myers Attorney Opens New Solo Practice
- Google Search: Fort Myers law firms
- Gulfshore Business: Veteran Fort Myers Attorney Opens New Solo Practice
- Google Scholar: Law leadership
- Fort Myers Beach Talk: Goldstein, Buckley, Cechman, Rice, Purtz Adds Smith & Smith to Its Name
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Legal Practice
- Fox 4 Now: Local Attorney Warns Immigrants with 2-Year Permits May Face Self-Deportation
- Google News: Legal updates Florida
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