Ashley A. Smith joined Vandervoort, Christ & Fisher, P.C. as an associate attorney, in April 2023. Ashley was born and raised in Battle Creek, Michigan and attended the Battle Creek public schools. Ashley received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, with a minor in Peace and Social Justice, from Valparaiso University in 2009, and a Juris Doctorate from Valparaiso University Law school in 2016. While in law school Ashley was a member of the Sports Law Clinic, aiding in resolving amateur athletes’ grievances with the United States Olympic Committee and with the United States Anti-Doping Agency. Ashley is an adjunct professor at Kellogg Community College, where she teaches Business Law online. Ashley is client-focused, and her previous legal experience and time as a solo practitioner prior to joining Vandervoort, Christ & Fisher has given her the insight, knowledge, and skills to aid clients in a variety of legal issues and matters.

David Adgate earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in 2013 from the University of Michigan. He earned his Juris Doctor degree in 2017 from Wayne State University Law School. He then completed a Post-Baccalaureate Medprep Program at the University of Michigan in 2019 where he served as the president of the Medprep Engage Student Organization. He is admitted to practice law in the State of Michigan, the United States District Court of the Eastern District of Michigan, and the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan. David joined the firm in January 2024 and focuses primarily on first-party automobile claims, third-party auto negligence, and motorcycle and bicycle accidents. He also handles other personal injury claims, including slip and falls, dog bites, and wrongful death lawsuits. Before joining Buckfire & Buckfire, P.C., David served as an associate at a personal injury law firm in metro Detroit. He also previously worked as a fellow for the Federal Defender Office in Detroit.

Rebecca Filiatraut graduated in 1991 from Oakland University with a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature. In 1994 she received her Juris Doctor from the Detroit College of Law. While attending law school she worked at the Public Defenders Office, representing individuals charged with misdemeanors at the 36th District Court in Detroit. After her graduation, she spent several years working for a large and nationally recognized personal injury law firm. It was here that she began her career of handling federal civil rights cases which has spanned over the course of her more than twenty years in practice. Rebecca focused on §1983 civil rights actions involving police and jail misconduct, as well as other complex matters such as trucking and medical malpractice cases. Seeking to further broaden her experience, she also practiced on the defense side for a number of years, successfully defending a multitude of cases, primarily on behalf of a number of different municipalities and police departments, as well as other businesses and insurance carriers across the State of Michigan. After gaining experience on the defense side, Rebecca returned to the work she loved, representing individuals against large corporations and insurance companies in order to help these people obtain rightful compensation for their injuries. Rebecca has extensive trial experience in both state and federal courts on behalf of plaintiffs and defendants, having been involved in some very high-profile and notable jury trials during the course of her career. She is licensed to practice in the State of Michigan, as well as the United States District Courts of both the Eastern and Western Districts of Michigan, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. Rebecca is an active supporter of the legal community and a member of several associations, including the State Bar of Michigan Negligence Section and the Michigan Association for Justice.