Meet Attorney Lori

How we started

How it started Lori Vella

If you asked me at 8-years-old what I wanted to be, you would have heard, “I want to be a lawyer.”  I enjoyed the thought that I could breakthrough and become the first person in my family to pursue higher education beyond college.  Becoming a lawyer meant something to me, and eventually, being a lawyer did too.  It means advocating for people.  It means offering comfort and solace in tricky legal situations.  It means using creativity to find solutions.  I did not start out owning my own law firm.  I used to work for a large and prestigious multi-state law firm in downtown Tampa (prior to that time I was a judicial law clerk at the esteemed Fifth District Court of Appeal).  

 

But, after 14 years and an advancement to partnership, having my son Gianni changed my priorities.  I withdrew from the partnership to raise my son full-time.  It was then that I realized the overwhelming “parental fears.”  I had many concerns about his future!

Determining the need

Several months after Gianni was born, I started reaching out to other moms in the Tampa Bay community.  Over the years, we formed a strong network.  I heard their stories, shared their worries and happiness, and began to understand that my fears were not unique.  

I felt it was an invaluable service to have someone that would draft their legal documents with the same concerns she had for her own family, and would anticipate the types of questions and concerns that may arise.  

Servicing the Need

Through these relationships, I saw a great need for these parents to communicate, and make official, their estate planning and guardianship planning concerns. But what’s more, these parents would benefit by talking to another parent–a person that understood their needs.

And, from that concept, my law firm was born.  I am helping you plan from a parent’s perspective.  Our concept has since expanded to Elder Law, Probate and more.  Our entire practice is focused on the needs of family and a client-centered approach.  

New Concept for a

Law Firm

To further my unique concept, I needed a different environment from the formal law firms I knew.  I imagined my own issues with finding child care, trusting my son in the care of others, and feeling tired from sleepless nights. I didn’t have to do things the old-fashioned way.  

We are both virtual (even before Covid-19) and traditional, fitting your unique needs.  We take pride in answering our phone calls, being available via email and getting you quick responses.  

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Lori Vella

Biography

grandpa and grandson
two woman outside talking

background

Lori loves what she does and it shows in her daily life and work. She takes pride in being an attorney and takes her professional duties seriously. Lori is a native of Rochester, New York (think snow and white hots!).  She is the daughter of Sicilians, being a first-generation Italian-American as well as the first lawyer in her family (yes, her Mom and Dad are very proud). [Her dad Franco and son Gianni are pictured here]. Lori spent a lot of time with her maternal grandparents while growing up. They had an indelible impact on her life and her chosen career. She is truly passionate about assisting hard-working people to ensure they protect their assets. She attended University of Rochester (B.A. Political Science 1996) and Albany Law School of Union University (J.D. 2000).  She was 25th in her class after the first year.  She attended Stetson Law School for her senior year and decided to permanently leave the snow behind for the sunshine state.  Her parents purchased a condo on Isla Del Sol when she was 7 years old, so she grew to know and love the Tampa Bay area.  It was the perfect fit. Nowadays she travels to and from her offices in Rochester NY and Tampa FL, and helps other "snowbirds" with their estates.

Work experience

After law school, Lori clerked for the prestigious Fifth District Court of Appeal in Daytona, Florida for two years.  She then accepted a position at Butler Legal in Tampa, Florida.  Lori was a litigation attorney handling highly-complex contractual matters.  She also frequently lectured on various topics.  She founded her own law firm in 2017 as she felt a strong calling to serve the public in the areas of Estate Planning, Probate and Elder Law.  She is a graduate of Elder Law College and a member of BNI (Movers and Shakers chapter in Carrollwood) and Babe Crafted. She is a speaker for National Business Institute on Estate Planning. Lori practices in New York and Florida.

volunteer work

Lori is a member of the Real Property, Probate and Trust Section of the Florida Bar.  She also serves on the Ethics Committee of the Elder Law Section of the Florida Bar.  She donates her time to co-create and host multiple inter-generational (combining children and elders) events at VISTA Organic Gardens in Carrollwood, Florida.  These events promote gardening and nutrition with children.  She also advises the VISTA Board in a legal capacity.  Lori serves as a Board Member of the Carrollwood Players.  Previously, Lori was the Chair of the Volunteer Committee of the Hillsborough County Bar Association and organized all volunteer activities for local attorneys on a monthly basis.  She has played bingo with the veterans and served birthday cake to kids at Metropolitan Ministry, among various other activities.

Disclaimer:  The Law Office of Lori Vella’s website contains general information directed to Florida residents.  This firm does not intend to give legal advice through its pages and/or blog.  If you need legal advice, we encourage you to find an attorney licensed in your state.  This language on this website website does not create an attorney-client relationship between you and this firm. Review our legal disclaimer page.