Ariane Smith’s practice focuses primarily on insurance and commercial litigation. She assists in the defense and prosecution of a wide array of matters, including coverage and other insurance contractual disputes, property damage claims to include windshield and diminution in value, class actions and related issues, and personal injury protection claims. She is involved in all stages of the litigation process, from the initiation of the lawsuit through trial, including motion practice and hearings and discovery proceedings. She also assists in the prosecution and defense of state appellate matters relating to insurance disputes.

Prior to joining Rivkin Radler, Ariane worked at two local insurance defense firms for several years where she represented insurance companies and insureds in, among other things, first and third-party coverage actions, bad faith litigation, uninsured motorist defense, global settlements, automobile property damage claims including windshield and diminution in value, and insurance class action defense. Ariane also has experience representing insureds and insurance companies in disputes involving commercial general liability policies, home insurance policies, and personal umbrella policies.

Ariane began her legal career by clerking for the Honorable Marcia Morales Howard, United States District Judge for the Middle District of Florida, Jacksonville Division, where she primarily assisted in section 2255 habeas corpus matters concerning Sixth Amendment constitutional issues.

Ariane was named in Ones to Watch by Best Lawyers in America^® for 2024. Ones to Watch is a recognition given to attorneys who are earlier in their careers for outstanding professional excellence in private practice.

Ariane received her J.D. degree at the University of Florida, Levin College of Law, where she served as a Managing Editor of the Florida Law Review. She also served as a judicial intern for the Honorable Susan B. Kirkland, Administrative Law Judge for the Florida Division of Administrative Hearings in Tallahassee, FL.