Fort Myers Law Firm Names New Co-Managing Partner

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News Summary

In a significant move for the law firm Goldstein, Buckley, Cechman, Rice, Purtz, Smith & Smith, Andrea Pleimling Smith has been appointed co-managing partner. This leadership transition aims to maintain stability and drive growth in the firm’s strategic operations across Southwest Florida. Sharing management duties with her husband, Christopher Smith, the couple will oversee various managerial responsibilities and ensure the firm’s long-standing reputation in personal injury law is upheld. This appointment emphasizes the firm’s dedication to innovative leadership and client service excellence.

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.