Our Team

Whitney L. Smith, Esq., brings a wealth of experience to Vaughn Law, PLLC, where she is committed to advocating for individuals and businesses navigating complex real estate disputes. A St. Petersburg native, Whitney previously founded and led Your Rental Property Attorney PLLC, where she developed a strong focus on real estate transactions, business formation, property disputes, and landlord-tenant matters. Her approach centers on providing practical, customized solutions for clients aiming to protect and maximize their real estate interests.

At Vaughn Law, Whitney’s practice focuses on real estate litigation, guiding clients through property disputes, landlord-tenant conflicts, and related legal challenges. She also handles select transactional work, including drafting contracts and leases, ensuring her clients have secure and effective agreements in place to support their real estate goals.

Throughout her career, Whitney has been dedicated to empowering real estate investors and fostering a supportive community for women in the field. She is committed to connecting with others in real estate, sharing her knowledge, and contributing to initiatives that support the success and growth of women professionals in the industry.

Before beginning her legal career, Whitney owned a successful pet care business, where she gained firsthand experience with small business management, client relationships, and the challenges business owners face. This background influences her approach to real estate law, helping her to address the unique needs and concerns of her clients with a practical, business-minded perspective.

Education:

• J.D., Stetson University College of Law
• B.A., Political Science

Memberships and Community Involvement:

• InvestHer
• Female Real Estate Investors

Personal Background:

• Whitney is a dedicated mother of two and a proud pit bull owner who remains connected to her St. Petersburg roots.

Allison N. Couri, Esq. is an estate planning and probate attorney dedicated to helping individuals and families secure their legacies. Specializing in will preparation, trusts, powers of attorney, and probate administration, Allison offers personalized legal solutions to protect assets and ensure peace of mind.

Allison grew up in the small town of Peoria, Illinois and went on to the University of Kentucky, where she obtained a bachelor’s degree in finance. Allison then moved to St. Petersburg, where she obtained her Juris Doctorate from Stetson University College of Law.

In her free time, Allison enjoys playing with her mini Goldendoodle, Magnolia, as well as playing pickleball, running, and reading.

Memberships:

• St. Petersburg Bar Association
• Clearwater Bar Association
• PFAWL
• Junior League of St. Petersburg

As Director of Administration, Tracey keeps our Vaughn Law office running smoothly.  Her decades of professional business experience support our incredible team by overseeing all functions of the office: its systems, collaborative business partnerships, and community outreach to optimize their work environment and our client’s experience.

After work, Tracey utilizes her study of Business Law and Florida’s Condominium Statutes as the President of her Association and Executive Board Member for her residential community.  She is an advocate for the awareness and education of Aphasia with Voices of Hope in the St. Petersburg area.  She relishes the joys of life by lunching, laughing, and lounging on the beach with family & friends, is centered by meditation, and grounded by ‘The Golden Rule’.

Michael bid adieu to the midwest of Ohio in June of 2022 where he put his financial expertise to work at Walla F. Ackley Real Estate in Columbus, OH before joining the Vaughn Law, PLLC team.  He is thrilled to be a Largo resident, and we couldn’t be happier to have Michael on the team serving our clients with his financial expertise and commitment to excellence in everything he does. Michael found his way to the great profession of finance due to his love of numbers, and his talent & passion for navigating the fast pace of funding accounts led him to real estate law & to us!

When not helping clients with closings, you can find Michael on the boat fishing or on the shore enjoying long days at the beach, and spending time with family.

Barbara has over 30 years of experience in the escrow and title industry. As a Florida Licensed Title Insurance Agent, she oversees escrow closings, working closely with Sellers, Buyers, Realtors, Mortgage Brokers, and Lenders to ensure the closing deadline is met.

After she worked for a large title company based out of Clearwater for 16 years and managed several of the offices, she opened her own Title Company, which she had for 14 years. Always up for the next adventure, Barbara came to St Pete Beach to bestow her incredible expertise with home buyers and sellers on this side of the gulf. We couldn’t be more grateful to have her on our team, bringing great value and care to Vaughn Law, PLLC team and clients.

When not working, Barbara loves DIY projects around the house, rivals Betty Crocker in the kitchen, gardens and spends time with beloved friends and family. Her husband and Dapple Dachshund, Fiona are the lucky beneficiaries of much of Barb’s adoration away from serving clients at the office. If you know anything about a Dachshund, they are stubborn and rule the house, and now Barb admits to being a lucky resident of Fiona’s home, and she loves it!

Kathie is a paralegal at Vaughn Law, where she focuses on supporting eachof the firms’ attorneys with Litigation, Probate and Estate Planning processes. She Joined Vaughn Law in January of 2023, she has spent the last 23 years working in three (3) previous Law Firms in Pinellas County, Florida. To date, she has been a Notary with the State of Florida for 18 years.

Mrs. Hart grew up in Philadelphia, “The City of Brotherly Love”, then lived in New Jersey a few years, prior to making the decision to move her family out of the cold to the warm and Sunny State of Florida. She has lived in Pinellas County for 26 years, was on the board at her local baseball league, while raising her three sons with her spouse and has recently become a new “Nama”.

Outside of work she enjoys spending time with family and friends, taking bike rides on the Pinellas trail, walking her grand pups, reading and relaxing at the beach. She also enjoys exploring the whole state of Florida to find adventures advertised on Bay News 9 “Florida on a Tankful” with her husband.

 

As a paralegal, Greta works with estate planning and probate cases. A dedicated professional with years of experience in estate planning, probate administration, and legal research, Greta is committed to supporting clients through complex legal processes. She ensures clients receive compassionate and efficient legal support. She has a Paralegal Certificate from Florida Gulf Coast University and is a notary public. She strives for continuous professional development by attending workshops and viewing webinars associated with estate planning and probate law. Her background working for estate accounts and compliance departments within financial institutions provides a unique perspective related to estate planning and probate as she has experience helping clients manage assets when a loved one passes.

Greta has diverse interests outside of work, including reading classic literature, sewing for her family, cooking international vegan cuisine, and running and biking the Pinellas Trail with her grandchildren.

Amanda Wadas is an accomplished paralegal with over 18 years of experience in the legal field. Born and raised in Tampa, Florida, she earned her associate degree in paralegal studies from Hillsborough Community College before making Knoxville, Tennessee, her home. Her expertise spans a wide range of legal areas, including family law, wills and trusts, bankruptcy, foreclosure, real estate, personal injury, corporate law, and general litigation.

Amanda has provided vital support in various legal matters, working on cases in both state and federal courts. She is skilled in organizing discovery, drafting pleadings, preparing documents, and managing case files. Her attention to detail, strong organizational skills, and ability to anticipate attorneys’ needs make her a trusted asset in the legal field.

Outside of her professional life, Amanda is a dedicated wife and proud mom to three children. Her eldest, a champion all-star cheerleader with a competitive spirit, brings determination and energy to the family, while the younger two keep life exciting with their endless curiosity and adventurous nature.

Originally from South Jersey, Danie has made Tampa Bay her home since the age of seven. Her love for sunshine and the friendly people of Tampa Bay runs deep. Danie’s educational background in television production and youth ministry provided her with many positive interpersonal experiences and skills that she utilizes in her current roles as Receptionist and Administrative Assistant. She finds great satisfaction in interacting with new and returning clients, assisting the attorneys and expanding her knowledge of our legal system.

When not at work, Danie enjoys spending time with her husband and their two dogs, Brutus and Bailey. She enjoys shared activities, such as painting pottery, playing games, completing puzzles and attending concerts and WWE events.

Ana Chinchilla works remotely from Honduras. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Human Resources and a master’s in Project Management from EAE Business School in Spain. With over seven years of experience in HR, she has developed strong organizational and communication skills that are invaluable in her role as a Closing Assistant. Her background has honed her ability to manage complex tasks, streamline processes, and ensure meticulous attention to detail. Ana is also expanding her knowledge in law and real estate to further enhance her expertise. Outside of work, she enjoys relaxing at the beach, watching movies, playing with her dogs and dancing at a studio.

Luciana plays an essential role in assisting with the company’s administrative functions, ensuring efficiency and supporting the executive team. Originally from Argentina, where she currently resides, Luciana successfully manages her responsibilities remotely, maintaining her enthusiasm and commitment to continue learning.

Before joining Vaughn Law PLLC, Luciana earned a degree in Business Administration from a prestigious university in Córdoba, Argentina. Her bilingual proficiency in both English and French was instrumental in securing her position in the United States.

Luciana possesses a deep passion for law and real estate transactions, areas in which she continuously seeks to expand her knowledge. Outside of her professional endeavors, she enjoys reading and engaging in sports.

Alice is an Administrative Assistant at Vaughn Law and has been with the firm since October 2024. She was born in Asyut, Egypt and raised in Palm Harbor, Florida. Alice is going into her final year at the University of South Florida, where she is double majoring in Political Science and Criminology. She is a conversationalist and hosts a weekly dinner and discussion meeting to encourage civil discourse on her college campus. Upon graduation, she plans to attend law school and pursue a career as an attorney.

In her free time, Alice writes and performs spoken word poetry, goes to church, and spends time with family and friends.