Jeffrey P. Smith, Attorney

Born October 20, 1969 in Fort Wayne, Indiana, Jeff attended Concordia Lutheran High School. He subsequently graduated from Purdue University (B.A. with distinction, 1992) and Indiana University (J.D.cum laude, 1995). He was admitted to the Indiana bar in 1995. He is also admitted to practice before the U.S. Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit, and the federal courts of the Northern and Southern Districts of Indiana.

Legal memberships include the Allen County Bar Association and the Indiana State Bar Association where he has served on the Board of Governors (2002-2004) and Young Lawyers Section Council (District Representative 1996-2000; Secretary-Treasurer 2000-2001; Chair-Elect 2001-2002; Chair 2002- 2003; Immediate Past-Chair 2003-2004; Counsel to Chair 2004-2005). He also served on the Indiana Continuing Legal Education Forum (ICLEF) Board of Directors during the 2002-2003 term. He has been a member of the Benjamin Harrison American Inn of Court for many years.

Jeff's primary areas of practice include civil litigation, concentrating in commercial and insurance defense litigation. Client representation includes individuals, business entities, institutional clients (e.g., insurance companies and banking institutions), and governmental agencies. He also has an active civil appeals practice. Reported decisions include: United Farm Bureau Mut. Ins. Co. V. Nationwide Mut. Fire Ins. Co., 678 N.E.2d 1165 (Ind. Ct. App. 1997); Kessen v. Graft, 694 N.E.2d 317 (Ind. Ct. App. 1998); Journal Gazette V. Purdue University, 698 N.E.2d 826 (Ind. Ct. App. 1998); Cyr v. Yoder, 762 N.E.2d 148 (Ind. Ct. App. 2002); Estate of Heck v. Stoffer, 786 N.E.2d 265 (Ind. 2003); 752 N.E.2d 192 (Ind. Ct. App. 2001); DeHayes Group v. Pretzels, Inc., 786 N.E.2d 779 (Ind. Ct. App. 2003); DaimlerChrysler Corp. v. Franklin, 814 N.E.2d 281 (Ind. Ct. App. 2004).

Publications include: One of the Most Honorable Professions Res Gestae (January/ February 2003); Getting Started with Collections: The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, ICLEF (July 2001); Civility Between Lawyers is Good Practice, Res Gestae (October 1997)

Jeff is a member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church where he serves on the Early Childhood Education board. He has also been active in Junior Achievement Northeast Indiana. He and his wife, Kristin, have two sons.