Fort Myers Law Firm Changes Name To Mark New Leadership Era

A big shift is happening in Southwest Florida's legal community as Smith & Smith becomes part of Goldstein, Buckley, Cechman, Rice & Purtz. This signals a major leadership transition for 2024.

New talent is joining the firm's leadership team. Eve T.K. Volkmann, who came on board in 2019, has been promoted to partner. Two other key players, Kristin L. Stocks and Mark Precheur, joined as partners this year.

Christopher J. Smith, leading the firm since 2018, continues as managing partner. His wife Andrea Smith, who joined in 2014, heads up client relations and community engagement.

“We continue to pursue the standard set for our clients by one of our founders, the late Ray Goldstein, of respect, passion and unwavering pursuit for justice, which we affectionately call the Goldstein Standard,” Smith told Fort Myers Beach Observer and Bulletin. “And because I know people will ask, the catchy, iconic jingle we use in our commercials continues, too.”

The firm's veterans remain active. Stephen Buckley (1969), John Cechman (1972), and Richard Purtz (1983) continue their practices. Jeffrey Rice, who started in 1976, retired in 2023.

The firm keeps its original location at Main Street and Broadway in Fort Myers. They've expanded to offices in Cape Coral, Naples, Lehigh Acres, and Port Charlotte.