At first glance, Compton & Smith, P.A. may appear to be just a small, local law firm tucked in the New Tampa Professional Park (on Regents Park Dr., off Bruce B. Downs Blvd.,) in Pebble Creek. But, for the clients who have leaned on them during their most trying times — and for the community they serve — the firm is so much more. It’s a family, a lifeline and a place where compassion meets competence.
Founded by attorneys RaeAnn Compton and Todd Smith, the firm of Compton & Smith has become a pillar of the New Tampa and Wesley Chapel legal community over the past eight years. What started as a professional rivalry between two strong-willed legal minds turned into a lasting partnership — built not only on mutual respect but on shared values, complementary skills and a deep commitment to their clients.
“We used to face off in court all the time,” Todd recalls with a smile. “Eventually, we got tired of roughing each other up and decided to sit down for lunch. That’s when we realized how well we’d work together.”
Both attorneys bring decades of experience to the table — along with deep roots in the local area. RaeAnn, who grew up in Dade City, earned her B.S. degree in political science from St. Leo University and her Juris Doctor (J.D., or Law) degree from Stetson University College of Law in DeLand. She passed the Florida Bar in 2000. After three years as an assistant state attorney, RaeAnn opened her private practice in Pebble Creek, where she’s been ever since.
Todd’s path started in Jacksonville, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts (B.A) degree in History from the University of North Florida and his J.D. degree from the Florida Coastal School of Law, also in Jacksonville. He passed the Bar in 2001. Like RaeAnn, he began his career as an assistant state attorney before branching into private practice and, eventually, to partnering with RaeAnn.
While Compton & Smith, P.A. offers legal services in a few key areas, RaeAnn says the largest portion of the firm’s caseload is focused on family law — guiding people through deeply personal challenges such as divorce, custody battles and child support disputes. These clients, who come to them during some of the most emotional times in their lives, are met with honesty, compassion and strategic legal insight.
Still, the partners’ expertise extends beyond just family law. They also handle select cases in criminal defense and personal injury, offering the same level of dedication and professionalism.
Practice Areas:
• Family Law: Divorce, Custody, Visitation, Child Support, Modifications, Paternity
• Criminal Law: Misdemeanors, Felonies & DUIs
• Personal Injury: Auto Accidents
RaeAnn and Todd’s commitment to serving the community with integrity and personal attention has earned them a loyal following and a strong reputation, not only among clients, but also among their peers.
Their personal ties to the community make their work all the more meaningful.
This isn’t just where we work,” RaeAnn says. “It’s where we live, where we raised our families and where we’re deeply invested.”
RaeAnn has lived in Wesley Chapel since 2007 with her husband Jeff and their two children, Jessica and Hunter.
Todd, who lives in Dade City with his wife Lisa, also emphasizes their local connection.
“We’ve both lived in the area for years,” he says. “RaeAnn was from Dade City and is now in Wesley Chapel and I was from Wesley Chapel and am now in Dade City. We have deep roots in the area and care about what happens to the families around us — because our families are among them.”
One of the firm’s greatest strengths is its team-oriented culture. While some firms operate with strict individual caseloads, Compton & Smith handles things differently.
“Todd and I work on almost every case together,” RaeAnn explains. “Clients might meet with one of us at first, but behind the scenes, we’re both looking at everything. We challenge each other, play devil’s advocate and walk into court with multiple perspectives.”
This collaborative model means clients benefit from the combined expertise of both attorneys — and the steady support of a dedicated team, which includes RaeAnn’s daughter and paralegal Jessica Compton, who plays an essential role in the firm’s success. “Jessica is really the backbone of our office,” says RaeAnn proudly. “She’s been with us for 15 years, and our clients adore her. She’ll take a call at 7 a.m. or answer an email on a Sunday if that’s what someone needs.”
Todd agrees: “Jessica has this incredible ability to ease a client’s anxiety. She’s savvy, compassionate and goes above and beyond every single day. She’s not just our paralegal — she’s our anchor.”
Although all areas of law require knowledge and expertise, when it comes to family law, the dynamic is very different.
“In family law, “ Todd says, “it’s not just about winning. It’s about helping people get to a better place. It’s a challenging and emotional area, one that requires both legal knowledge and emotional intelligence. It also requires thinking outside the box.”
That thoughtful approach was evident in a recent case where a contentious custody hearing was scheduled to proceed.
“We were able to talk with both sides, come to an agreement, and cancel the hearing,” says RaeAnn. “It avoided what could have been an emotionally draining day for everyone involved — especially the child.”
RaeAnn is known as a patient negotiator, someone who seeks common ground without compromising strength. “She has a way of finding solutions people can actually live with,” Todd says.
It’s a philosophy grounded in the firm’s core values: empathy, diligence and transparency.
“We take this work personally,” RaeAnn says. “It’s not nine to five for us. We do whatever it takes to be there for our clients.”
Jenny, a current Compton & Smith client, says, “One of the things I love about them is that they don’t need to be micromanaged. They are very good at taking care of things behind the scenes. In a terrible time of life, they have been the most supportive, still telling me how it is even when its not pretty. They treat you and take care of you like family.”
Compton & Smith also has embraced technology to better serve their clients. For example, since the pandemic, the use of Zoom for hearings and mediations has become a game-changer.
“Zoom has made things so much more efficient,” says Todd. “Before, you might spend half the day just traveling for one hearing. Now, we can do so much more in less time — and save our clients money in the process.”
Both attorneys continue to stay on top of changing laws, particularly in family law. “It’s constantly evolving, so we make sure to take continuing education courses every year,” says RaeAnn. “We owe it to our clients to stay informed.”
Beyond the courtroom, the firm supports a variety of community causes — from local children’s sports teams to domestic violence shelters and animal charities. “If someone’s raising money for a good cause, we try to be there,” RaeAnn says. “I’m a sucker for animals,” she adds with a laugh. “And we both have a soft spot for anything that helps kids.”
While some firms focus on scaling and expanding, Compton & Smith values consistency over growth. “If it’s not broken, don’t fix it,” RaeAnn says simply. Todd agrees. “We’ve thought about adding associates, but our biggest concern is whether someone would treat the cases with the same care we do. Both of our names are on the door, and that means everything.”
With most of their clients coming from word-of-mouth referrals — and even a few former opposing parties sending others their way — it’s clear that their reputation speaks for itself.
“We’re not here to churn through cases,” says Todd. “We’re here to help people. Sometimes that means finding the best legal argument, and sometimes it means just listening and being there.”
As RaeAnn puts it, “It’s never too late to hire a lawyer. No matter your situation, we’ll give you an honest assessment and help you stop the bleeding. That’s what we’re here for.”
Compton & Smith, P.A., is located at 8905 Regents Park Dr., Suite 210. To schedule a free consultation, call (813) 994-2026 or visit ComptonAndSmith.com.
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