Mr. Timothy P. Smith
Experience:
32 years
Language(s):
English
Timothy Smith | Traverse City Accident Lawyer
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About Timothy
Timothy P. Smith of Traverse City, Michigan, graduated the University of Notre Dame with dual degrees in English and Philosophy in 1989. He received his Juris Doctorate from the Notre Dame Law School in 1992. He began the practice of law in Lansing in 1992, but in 1995 he and his wife Shawn returned home to Traverse City to work and raise their family.
Mr. Smith sits on the Executive Board of the Michigan Association for Justice (MAJ). He currently co-chairs MAJ’s Publication Committee. He is admitted to practice before all Michigan Courts. He is a member of the Michigan Bar, Michigan Association for Justice, American Association for Justice, the National Head Injury Foundation, the Brain Injury Association and the Traumatic Brain Injury Litigation Section of the American Association for Justice. In 2003, he accepted an appointment through the American Association for Justice to sit as the State Chair for the Republican Trial Lawyer Caucus. Further, in that same year, he was nominated and elected to membership in The Fellows of the Michigan State Bar Foundation. At the age of 34, he received an “AV” rating from Martindale-Hubbell which is the highest rating of legal ability and ethics awarded by the company. According to Martindale, “an AV® certification mark is a significant rating accomplishment – a testament to the fact that a lawyer’s peers rank him or her at the highest level of professional excellence.” Mr. Smith serves on the Council of Advocates for the Great Lakes Children’s Museum and the Advisory Board to National City Bank in Traverse City, Michigan. He is a former board member for the Father Fred Foundation. He is a past president of the Ancient Order of Hibernians. Since 2000, Mr. Smith moderates MAJ’s winter seminar which focuses on litigation strategies and techniques. He has lectured frequently for MAJ in areas of trial discovery, depositions, auto no-fault, and closed head injuries. In 2002, he was asked by the State Bar of Michigan to author an article on the state of hedonic damages in Michigan for their litigation section. In 1998, Mr. Smith received the highest plaintiff’s verdict in the history of Oscoda County. In 2006, he was recognized by the Grand Traverse Business News as one of the most influential businessmen under the age of 40 in Northern Michigan, and in 2008, he was recognized by Traverse the Magazine as one of Traverse City’s “A-List” attorneys.
Mr. Smith currently sits on the Board of Directors of the Brain Injury Association of Michigan and the legal advisory counsel to the Sara Jane Brain Foundation. In 2009 he was recognized by the American Trial Lawyers association as one of the top 100 trial attorneys in the State of Michigan. He was also nominated and included in the 2009 issue of Super Lawyers magazine. Super Lawyers magazine has recognized him as a Michigan Super Lawyer for 4 straight years. In 2012, he was selected to the Irish Legal 100 by Irish Voice Newspaper. The Irish Legal 100 is comprised of some of the most accomplished and distinguished lawyers of Irish descent from all across America. Lawyers are chosen from law schools, law firms, the judiciary and industry. This years list included two Justices from the U.S. Supreme Court including Chief Justice John G. Roberts.
Mr. Smith is also a licensed fly fishing guide and owner of CML River Guides, Inc. When not practicing law or guiding the rivers of northern Michigan, he enjoys spending time with his wife Shawn and his three children Caroline, Molly and Luke.
Call today to learn more about my fee structure.
Experience
Partner
Smith and Johnson Attorneys, PC
1995 - Present
Associate Attorney
Nolan, Reincke, Thompson & Villas
1992 - 1994
Admission
Michigan
1993
Education
University of Notre Dame
BS (English Literature)
1989
Recognitions & Achievements
Associations
-
Brain Injury Association of Michigan Board of Directors2009 - Present
-
The Sara Jane Brain Project Legal Advisory Committee2009 - Present
-
Father Fred Foundation Capital Campaign Co-Chair raised $2.4 million dollars for the poor2004 - Present
Honors / Awards
-
Super Lawyer The American Trial Lawyer Association2009
-
"A-List" Attorneys in Northern Michigan Traverse2008
-
40 under 40 Grand Traverse Business News2007
-
Father Fred Leadership Award Ancient Order Of Hibernians2003
-
Distinguished Service Award Lutheran Social Services of Michigan1994
Notable Work
Cases
Dear Tim: I wanted to take a special opportunity to thank you and also to congratulate you on a job very well done recently. It was very interesting for me to watch your thought process and resultant actions in dealing with a man who was taking advantage of the letter of the law, to misuse the legal process, in an attempt to avoid his just debt and the legal action of the Court in Traverse City. I was impressed with your analysis and your action, and most impressed with your moral commitment to do what was just and right! Your conscientious concern is a credit to you and to your family and to the legal profession. Thank you again and best wishes. Sincerely, Dr. John M.
Publications
Seminar Web Endocrine System Dysfunction following Traumatic Brain Injury
2009
Closed Head Injury Litigation Post-traumatic Hypo-pituitarism
2008
Auto No-Fault Seminar Closed Head Injuries
2007
Auto No-Fault Seminar |Rental Car Liability
2005
Destroying the Defense Medical Examiner Preparing to Depose the Defense Examiner
2002
Michigan Trial Lawyers Association Winter Seminar Litigation Strategies and Techniques [from to ]
2000 / present / 2000
Questions & Answers
Please describe a case in the last year or two where you made a big difference.
I'm part of a legal team that currently represents over 40 cities and counties here in Michigan in the Multi District Litigation - In re National Prescription Opioid Litigation, MDL No. 2804 (Dec. 5, 2017). One manufacturer [Purdue Pharma] has already pulled it's sales team from promoting OxyContin to doctors. We're mid suit and it's already making a difference.
How did you build a successful practice?
Hard work. Hiring smart and talented attorneys and staff. Delivering excellent results to clients.
What should clients look for in a lawyer?
Excellent references. Responsive with communication. Results driven.
How important is local knowledge to the success of your cases?
Imperative. Knowing both the Judges and the potential jury pool in a case is a critical component to any litigation.
What information can you provide in a free phone consultation?
Depends - I've had many phone calls where someone just needed a little advice or direction. Most times it makes more sense for the person to fix the legal problem themselves with a little free advice from my office rather than spending hundreds or thousands to hire a lawyer.
What information do you need in a free phone consultation?
Just the facts regarding that persons particular situation. Often times, I can advise them how the law might work given their facts and that's all the information they need.
What differentiates you from other lawyers in your community?
Very civically active. Nationwide practice. Larger firm whose attorneys each have a very focused practice area.
What is the most rewarding aspect of your job?
Delivering above and beyond my client's initial expectations.
What are your other interests in addition to law?
Family. Guitar. Music.
Are you involved in your community?
Father Fred Foundation, Traverse City Chamber of Commerce, Ancient Order of Hibernians, Adams Chapter Trout Unlimited
Additional Info
Smith & Johnson Attorneys PC Highlights
Tax, Real Estate, International, Intellectual Property, Employment, Criminal, Business, Administrative Law, Antitrust, Franchising
Firm Size:
1
Firm Locations:
1