Bar Defense Law Firm – Smith, Tozian, Daniel & Davis P.A.
Smith, Tozian, Daniel & Davis P.A. is a specialized legal firm representing Florida lawyers, judges, and bar applicants. Based in Tampa, Florida at 109 N. Brush Street, Suite 200, the firm describes more than 130 years of combined experience in legal ethics, bar defense, and bar admission matters, and it advises clients across the state.
The firm was founded in 1983 by Donald A. Smith, Jr. and Scott K. Tozian, both former Florida Bar prosecutors, and has operated for roughly four decades. The partnership expanded when Gwendolyn H. Daniel joined in 1998 and became a partner in 2005, followed by Debra J. Davis, a certified public accountant and former Florida Bar trust account auditor and prosecutor, who joined in 2005 and became a partner in 2013. Timothy P. Chinaris serves as Of Counsel, with Lindsey M. Guinand as an associate.
Services include defending lawyers and judges throughout disciplinary proceedings, defending bar applicants through character and fitness investigations, drafting ethics opinions, conducting trust account audits and compliance reviews, and reviewing lawyer marketing and advertising for compliance. The firm assists with law school and bar application reviews and represents clients at grievance committee investigations, referee trials, and Florida Supreme Court review. It also advises lawyers outside Florida on multi-jurisdictional practice issues.
The firm presents itself as providing experienced, knowledgeable, and empathetic defense, offering private ethics counsel with practical and tailored solutions, and teaching risk management practices to help lawyers avoid problems before they arise. Its concentration on legal ethics and bar discipline positions it as a resource for attorneys facing complaints, applicants under review, and firms seeking compliance guidance.
Contact information includes phone at (813) 273-0063, fax at (813) 221-8832, and email at email@smithtozian.com. From its Tampa office, Smith, Tozian, Daniel & Davis P.A. serves attorneys, judges, and bar applicants throughout Florida and beyond.