John D. Smith

John Smith has been a Fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers since 2009.  The College is an invitation only Fellowship of exceptional trial lawyers from the United States and Canada who have demonstrated the very highest standards of trial advocacy, ethical conduct, integrity, professionalism, and collegiality.  Only about 1% of all lawyers in Ohio have been invited and met the standards.  He is also a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates.  The American Board of Trial Advocates is an exclusive, invitation-only national association of experienced trial lawyers and judges dedicated to upholding the Civil Jury Trial Right and promoting high standards of ethics, integrity, and civility in the legal profession, with members demonstrating extensive courtroom experience and a commitment to professionalism and public education about justice.

John Smith earned a B.A. Degree from the University of Notre Dame in 1976 and a J.D. Degree from the University of Dayton in 1980 and is licensed to practice law in Ohio, the Federal Courts of Ohio, the Sixth Circuit Federal Court of Appeals, and the United States Supreme Court.  Before forming his own firm in 2000, he was a partner in a firm in Franklin, Ohio, for twenty years.  He has been designated an Ohio Super Lawyer for many years. 

Today, John Smith works with all persons and businesses who have litigation issues as well as taking referrals for many lawyers in different areas of practice who need a trial lawyer.  He has achieved numerous jury verdicts and/or settlements in excess of $1,000,000.00 over his 45-year career.  He has also served as an expert witness in legal malpractice matters both on the plaintiff and defense side. 

Clients often chose John Smith for his clear communication, responsiveness, and straightforward approach.  As legal matters can feel overwhelming for the clients, John Smith prioritizes helping them understand their options and make them feel confident at each step of the process.  His fundamental philosophy is to educate the client in every way possible about their legal matter so that they are in a position to make the best decisions for themselves when called for. His approach has been appreciated by the many public office holders, judges, as well as other lawyers who have chosen him to represent them.