Michelle Smith, chair of the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) Leadership Council, said that Florida's legal reforms are saving consumers millions and protecting small businesses. She mentioned that other states are now following Florida's lead and these reforms should be expanded rather than reversed.
"Now, some in the Legislature have threatened to roll back these hard-won gains with legislation that would undo the very reforms that have turned Florida into a model for other states," said Smith, Leadership Council Chair. "The question is simple: why risk undoing the progress we've made? Florida's legal reforms have saved consumers millions by cutting costs, specifically in the property and auto insurance sectors, while protecting small businesses from predatory legal practices. Currently, I serve as the NFIB member Chairman in Florida, and I hear firsthand from small business owners from across the nation who want to achieve the tort reform efforts Florida has. States like Alabama, Texas and Louisiana are closely watching Florida's lead and are beginning to implement similar reforms. Florida has become a model for good policy, leading the way in the South, and these neighboring states are looking to Florida as the prototype for creating a balanced and fair legal environment."
In a press release, Smith, owner of Source 1 Specialties, highlighted the significance of Florida’s 2023 tort reform legislation and urged the state legislature to reject efforts to roll back these measures. According to Smith, the reforms have reduced insurance costs and protected small businesses from lawsuit abuse, making Florida a national model. She emphasized that other Southern states—such as Alabama, Texas, Louisiana, and Georgia—are following Florida’s lead and urged legislators not to jeopardize the state’s progress by undoing these successful reforms.
A report released on March 5 by the American Tort Reform Association (ATRA) analyzes legal services advertising in the U.S., revealing that more than $2.5 billion was spent on over 26.9 million ads in 2024—more than double the ad spend of pizza restaurants. In Florida, Fort Myers had one of the highest per capita legal ad spends, while Orlando and Tampa saw significant volumes of legal advertisements. Miami also had a notable presence with heavy investment in legal marketing. ATRA also cites an FDA study that found 66 reports of adverse events, including seven deaths after patients discontinued their blood thinner medication following exposure to a lawyer advertisement.
According to InsuranceBusiness.com, a Florida House panel advanced HB 1551, a bill that would restore policyholders’ ability to recover attorney fees if they win lawsuits against insurers, partially reversing major tort reforms passed in 2022 and 2023. Introduced by Rep. Hillary Cassel, the bill seeks to strike a balance between discouraging frivolous lawsuits and protecting consumers from bad-faith insurance practices. Industry advocates warn the measure could destabilize Florida’s fragile insurance market, while supporters argue it restores fairness in disputes with insurers. Speaker Daniel Perez has signaled support for consumer-oriented reforms, helping shift the legislative tone toward reevaluating previous changes.
On February 5th, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis issued a press release announcing significant improvements in the state’s insurance market. Major auto insurers such as GEICO, Progressive, and State Farm have filed for rate reductions of 10.5%, 8.1%, and 6%, respectively. Additionally, Citizens Property Insurance is implementing premium decreases averaging 5.6% statewide, benefiting approximately 75% of homeowners in Miami-Dade County. Over the past two years, eleven new insurance companies have entered the Florida market contributing to increased competition and market stability.
Michelle Smith is also Senior Vice President at Source 1 Specialties—a call center services company specializing in the hearing industry—and based in Orlando with more than two decades of experience helping audiology and ENT practices grow through tailored outreach and marketing strategies. Under her leadership Source 1 became part of Fortune 500 company MCI in 2022 expanding its reach and resources to serve clients nationwide.