Since 1984, Mark Smith has represented hundreds of individuals, families and businesses in matters involving bodily injury, wrongful death, general negligence, malpractice, insurance disputes, products and premises liability, and aviation. Smith was elected to membership in the American Board of Trial Advocates. ABOTA membership is conferred through a process of nomination and election, and is res
erved for lawyers who have demonstrated "the requisite skill, integrity and experience in the special art of advocacy." Smith was elected President of the Southwest Ohio Trial Lawyers Association. Cases involving injuries from things like a car crash, unsafe property conditions, medical malpractice or other "negligence" are called "tort" actions. The first ten years of Mr. Smith's practice involved representing the defendants in those cases. The "defendant" in a civil action is a person or business that caused an injury, and then was sued in court. This type of defense practice is generally financed and controlled by insurance companies and other large corporations. Smith refocused and relocated his practice. Instead of representing defendants and their insurers, he now works on behalf of the people and families who have suffered serious injury or death due to the negligence of someone else. In a civil case, these people are called "plaintiffs". Many lawyers spend their entire careers representing only defendants, or only plaintiffs. Since he has represented both sides, Mr. Smith understands how corporations and their attorneys evaluate and defend civil cases. With the benefit of that insight, he offers his clients an experienced and balanced approach designed to bring about a favorable outcome.
