Dawn Vallejos-Nichols

Since joining Avera & Smith in 1996, Dawn has represented Florida’s injured in personal injury cases of almost every description. She became the firm’s Managing Partner in 2021.

Dawn’s primary focus, as one of the four partners at the firm, is wrongful death and personal injury litigation against tobacco manufacturing giants R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company and Philip Morris USA Inc. Dawn played an instrumental role in winning three nationwide newsworthy cases with verdicts against R.J. Reynolds and Phillip Morris in the millions.

Dawn has served on the Board of Directors of the Eighth Judicial Circuit Bar Association continuously since 2005 and served as its President from 2012-13. She has also edited the EJCBA’s monthly newsletter, Forum 8, since 2005 and received the President’s Award for Service for that publication in 2007. She is also a member of the Gerald T. Bennett American Inns of Court and serves at the “Master” level. In the community, she served for several years as a member of the Constituency Board for CARD, the Center for Autism and Related Disabilities. For the past three years, Dawn was honored by the American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys as one of the 10 Best Female Attorneys for Client Satisfaction in North Florida.

Mark Avera

As a partner of Avera & Smith, Mark Avera has been practicing law at Avera & Smith since 1989. While studying at the University of Florida for both his undergraduate and law degrees, he worked for the Sheriff’s Department where he was one of the department’s youngest deputies to be promoted to the rank of Sergeant.

As one of the only Gainesville lawyers to be Board Certified in Civil Trial Law (B.C.S.) by the Florida Bar, Mark brings experience and professionalism to the courtroom. Board Certification is the Florida Bar’s highest level of evaluation in competence and experience within a specific area of law, and indicates superior professionalism and ethics in practice. Only around 10% of lawyers currently licensed in the State of Florida are actually Board Certified in Civil Trial Law.

Beyond his professional achievements, he believes in community service to give back to the community that has been an integral part of his life. He serves on the Board of Directors for the Santa Fe College Foundation and has served on the board of the Children’s Home Society, North Central Florida Community Foundation, and the Executive Committee of the North Florida Heart Ball, American Heart Association in the past.

Mark is also an accomplished pilot, having flight certifications in both single-engine and multi-engine aircraft. Mark often uses his skills to volunteer for medical assistance flights, which helps secure organs for patients in need from all over the Southeast.

Lance Avera

Brother to Mark, and younger son of Bill Avera, Avera & Smith’s founder, Lance Avera is a partner at the firm. He began his career as an Assistant State Attorney in the Ninth Judicial Circuit. Shortly thereafter, Lance began working as a defense attorney for insurance companies. He realized his heart was in helping those injured, so in 2000 he joined Avera & Smith as one of the Gainesville lawyers dedicated to helping families and individuals pursuing benefits denied by insurance companies. He now practices law in all areas of personal injury, with particular skill in workers’ compensation law.

Lance is a board certified workers’ compensation attorney in Gainesville and has been since 1999. This is a rare and important qualification that contributes immeasurably to his skill in handling workers’ compensation cases. Less than 0.5% of lawyers in Florida are board certified in workers’ compensation law.

Lance is an avid fisherman and hunter and, in past years, spent many happy hours fishing with his father at the family house in Suwannee.

Rod Smith

In 2000, the venerable old firm of Avera & Avera made one of the most significant moves in its 50-year history, adding Rod W. Smith as partner and changing the name of the firm to Avera & Smith, LLP. During the past decade, Rod Smith has been instrumental in helping Avera & Smith become one of the most qualified and capable law firms in the State of Florida.

Prior to joining Avera & Smith, Rod served as State Attorney of the Eighth Judicial Circuit from 1993 – 2000. During this tenure, he was nationally recognized by the Association of Capital Litigators as one of the nation’s preeminent prosecutors.

Rod’s impressive experience has made his addition to the Avera & Smith team one that would allow the firm to offer enhanced services in trial and expertise in employment law, criminal law, and personal injury.

Like his partner, Mark, Rod and his wife Dee Dee believe in giving back to the community. He is frequently auctioneer for the annual Haven Hospice event, and participates in golf tournaments for charities such as The Child Advocacy Center.

Jennifer Cates Lester

Jennifer Cates Lester is heavily involved in professional associations and joins us as a partner having already been recognized by the industry – she’s a Top 100 National Trial Lawyer, a selection of Florida Trend’s Legal Elite and an AV rated lawyer by Martindale-Hubbell.

Board Certified in Civil Trial Law, Jennifer’s practice involves personal injury litigation, professional malpractice and fiduciary litigation. Her background in civil litigation and insurance gives her special insight into insurance fraud cases, estate and trust litigation and professional malpractice cases. But, her professional experience is limitless. She’s also been a speaker, presenter and moderator for a range of law events and seminars.

Jennifer extends her valuable experience beyond the courtroom by working as an adjunct professor at the UF College of Law.

Jennifer is as active in her life outside of work as she is in the community. She enjoys traveling, skiing and hiking with her children and dogs. And gives back to the community through providing pro bono services for the Eighth Circuit Court Guardian Ad Litem program – having been certified as a Guardian Ad Litem since the early 1990s.

John Whitaker

As a Gainesville native it is only fitting that John D. Whitaker graduated from the University of Florida College of Law. He is the past president of the local chapter of the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys, and like Dawn, served as president of the Eighth Judicial Circuit Bar Association. John originally worked for Rod Smith as a prosecutor specializing in DUI and traffic enforcement when Rod was a State Attorney. During his time as a prosecutor, John handled thousands of cases and attended numerous seminars on the inner workings of law enforcement, DUI, investigations and prosecution.

Since moving to private practice, he has handled thousands of criminal cases, from theft by a juvenile to attempted murder with a firearm. He continues to attend seminars focusing on criminal defense to hone his skills as an attorney.

John’s experience on both sides of the criminal justice system gives him a unique advantage and allows him to analyze every case as both an experienced prosecutor and defense attorney.

Away from the office John enjoys golf and working on cars, including his 1964 Ford Galaxie that he has owned for over 30 years.

Alex Avera

Born and raised in Gainesville, Alex Avera graduated cum laude with a degree in history from the University of Florida. She completed her undergraduate degree early as a result of dual enrolling in classes at UF at the age of 16. Alex attended law school on a partial academic scholarship at Stetson University College of Law, where she graduated cum laude. While in law school, Alex was a class representative on the Student Bar Association and co-chair of the Go Green Committee.

Outside of academics, Alex was involved in giving back to the community of Gulfport, FL, where Stetson Law is located. Alex was a mentor in the Lunch Pals Program, which matches elementary students facing personal or academic challenges with a mentor. Alex became involved in politics in an effort to preserve the historical waterfront district of Gulfport, FL from overdevelopment by chain restaurants and businesses. Alex also combined her legal education with an opportunity to give back to the community by volunteering at the courthouse in Tampa, assisting people unable to afford a lawyer in filling out family law forms. Now that she is back in Gainesville, Alex is excited for the opportunity to start giving back to her hometown.

Alex joined Avera & Smith as an associate attorney in September 2018. Alex’s focus is complex or catastrophic injury cases and medical malpractice.

Bradford T. Willard

After graduating from Vanderbilt University Law School in 2008, Brad went on to also earn his Masters in Business Administration from the University of Florida. His combined education and experience brings a varied and unique insight for our clients, especially our commercial clients.

Most of his experience is as a civil litigator—having represented a variety of clients for prominent Orlando and Gainesville law firms.

But there’s more. He has conducted over 30 criminal and civil trials and arbitrations – the majority as first chair jury trials. He practices in state and federal court, primarily in commercial litigation, trust and estate litigation, fiduciary litigation, professional malpractice, and high-end personal injury. He also served as Florida’s 20th Judicial Circuit as a prosecutor for over three years, quickly rising to the felony division’s Special Victims Unit.

Outside of work, Brad and his fiancé Noelle are enjoying raising their daughters closer to their family in Gainesville.