Free Consultation
$0 first 120 minutes
Royce W Smith
About Royce
Biography
A skilled litigator on behalf of seriously injured individuals and their families, Royce W. Smith represents plaintiffs in a wide range of complex civil matters. In the past four years alone, Smith, as lead or co-counsel, has helped victims of negligence win over $48 million in verdicts and settlements. His extensive practice experience includes wrongful death, medical malpractice, birth injuries, brain injuries, auto accidents, construction accidents, defective drugs and medical devices, and civil rights matters. Mr. Smith has also represented crime victims and victims of employment discrimination.
Raised in North Philadelphia, Mr. Smith’s parents and family taught him life lessons that have served him well professionally: to maintain justice, do what is right and give voice to the concerns of the voiceless. His late father pastored a Baptist church in North Philadelphia and his mother is currently an associate pastor of a Baptist church in Mount Airy/Germantown, Philadelphia. Additionally, Smith’s grandfather and uncle pastored a church in Jenkintown, Pa. Today, true to his roots, Mr. Smith provides free counseling at legal clinics hosted by area churches.
Mr. Smith earned a LL.M. in Trial Advocacy from Temple Law and, by faculty vote, was named the program’s top-performing student. He is a graduate of Temple University Beasley School of Law, where he received numerous awards for outstanding trial advocacy and was a member of several nationally recognized mock trial teams. Mr. Smith was recognized for outstanding oral advocacy in appellate argument, twice received the Murray S. Love Award for Excellence in Trial Advocacy, earned the Andrew Gay Award for Excellence in Trial Advocacy and was honored with the James J. Manderino Award for Trial Advocacy. Mr. Smith earned his undergraduate degree in political science from Williams College in Massachusetts. There he won the Lehman Community Service Scholarship and the Sterling B. Brown Citizenship Prize in recognition of his service to the college and the surrounding community.
He serves as a Minority Caucus Delegate to the American Association for Justice and a Minority Caucus Board Member of the Pennsylvania Association for Justice. Mr. Smith also serves on the Editorial Boards of The Verdict, a Philadelphia Trial Lawyers Association publication and Young Lawyer, a monthly supplement published by The Legal Intelligencer. He has published numerous scholarly articles and presented educational courses to his peers. Mr. Smith serves as an adjunct professor of trial advocacy at Drexel University’s Earl Mack School of Law and a trial advocacy and evidence instructor for the University's Earl Mack School of Law Trial Team. Since 2011, Mr. Smith’s law students have won three mock-trial tournament championships, including the he Texas Young Lawyers Association (TYLA) National Trial Competition’s Regional Competition in Philadelphia (2011, 2012) and the Judge Paul Joseph Kelly Jr. Invitational Trial Competition at Fordham University (2012).
Mr. Smith has been recognized by Thomson Reuters, published annually in Philadelphia magazine, as a 2012, 2011 and 2010 Pennsylvania Super Lawyer® Rising Star and was named a Pennsylvania Super Lawyer® in 2013. Only the top 2.5 percent of Pennsylvania’s up-and-coming lawyers appear on the Rising Stars list. He has also been selected as a member of The National Trial Lawyers Association: Top 40 under 40, a professional organization of America's top trial lawyers.
- See more at: #
Practice Areas
5
Practice Areas
Medical Malpractice
40%
22 years
Personal Injury
25%
22 years
Wrongful Death
15%
22 years
Birth Injury
10%
22 years
Fees and Rates
Cost
Looking for an attorney? Avvo can help.
Search our directory
Quickly connect with top attorneys through our legal directory to get help with your legal issue.
Avvo's live chat agents can help coordinate a consultation with a local attorney.
Chat with a live agent who can match you with the right attorney for your legal needs.
Chat withLicenses
Licensed in Pennsylvania for 20 years
State: Pennsylvania
Acquired: 2005
Lawyer disciplined by state licensing authority in 2022
Licensed in New Jersey for 21 years
State: New Jersey
Acquired: 2004
Location
Royce Smith LLC
1500 Walnut Street, Suite 700, Philadelphia, PA, 19102
Ad
Transform legal challenges into solutions.
Connect now to review your situation.
Royce W Smith's Reviews
Showing 1 - 1 of 1 client review from Avvo
Posted by Jarett | September 30, 2015 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Awesome lawyer
He's one of the best and most intelligent lawyers I've ever talked to and had represent me. He has represented me in a medical malpractice case. He genuinely cares for his clients and you can tell he believes in what he does. I'm so thankful I was able to find him.
Royce W Smith's Lawyer Endorsements
"Royce and his team work around the clock to produce great results for their clients. He has become a great mentor and friend. Royce really cares about his clients, as well as about justice. I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer. Royce is an incredibly talented trial lawyer. I learned much of what I know about trial advocacy and trial practice from Royce. He works incredibly hard for his clients to make sure they get the best results possible in their case. When he is in the courtroom it is obvious that he feels right at home and takes charge of the room. His cross examination skills are devastating to his opponents and their witnesses. I highly recommend this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I have known Royce for 4 years and attended the Masters in Trial Advocacy Program at Temple Law School with him. Out of over 30 seasoned trial lawyers Royce received the Top Advocate Award. Royce is a passionate and creative trial attorney who achieves superior results for his clients. I highly recommend Royce!"
Michael Benz
Criminal defense lawyer
Experience
Professional misconduct
This lawyer was disciplined by a state licensing authority in 2022.
Disbarment issued in PA, 2022
updated on 01/06/2023Disbarment is the most serious penalty for a lawyer. If this attorney is currently practicing law, you should contact the Pennsylvania State Bar to understand the reasons for disbarment.
Temporary Suspension issued in PA, 2022
updated on 07/07/2022Temporary suspension means an attorney lost his or her license to practice during a disciplinary investigation. The suspension typically expires when the investigation is resolved.
Public Reprimand issued in PA, 2018
updated on 03/20/2018Public reprimand means an attorney did something wrong but may still practice law. The State gives the lawyer a public reprimand in hopes that he or she will not repeat the behavior. Details of the infraction are made part of the public record.
Honors
2016
Super Lawyer, PA Super Lawyers
2015
Super Lawyer, PA Super Lawyers
2014
PA Super Lawyers, Super Lawyers Magazine
2013
Pennsylvania Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2012
Pennsylvania Rising Star, Super Lawyers
2011
Pennsylvania Rising Star, Super Lawyers
2010
Pennsylvania Rising Star, Super Lawyers
N/A
Top 40 under 40, National Trial Lawyers Association
Associations
2011 - Present
The Legal IntelligencerYoung Lawyer Editorial Board Member
2009 - Present
Philadelphia Trial Lawyers AssociationEditorial Board Member
American Association for Justice
Minority Caucus Delegate
American Bar Association
Drexel University’s Earl Mack School of Law
Trial Advocacy Adjunct Professor
Drexel University's Earl Mack School of Law
Mock Trial Instructor
Pennsylvania Association for Justice
Minority Caucus Board Member
Philadelphia Barristers Association
Philadelphia Trial Lawyers Association
Diversity Committee Member
Philadelphia Trial Lawyers Association
Future Leaders Committee Member
Sample of Legal Cases
$11,900,000 for brain damaged child in mold contamination suit
$4,500,000 for leg and ankle injuries in an elevator accident case
$4,150,000 for an amputated leg in a bus accident case
$3,200,000 for wrongful death of a woman who died in a trucking accident
$3,000,000 for rape and assault on apartment complex grounds
$3,000,000 for brain damaged individual who fell over a railing that was below building code
$2,200,000 for wrongful death in a medical malpractice case
$1,945,000 for wrongful death of a young lady who was crushed by an amusement park ride
$1,100,000 for failure to diagnose stroke in a medical malpractice case
$1,000,000 for injuries suffered during a work-related automobile accident
$900,000 for a lacerated leg in an escalator accident case
Education
2008
Temple University Beasley School of Law
LL.M.
2004
Temple University Beasley School of Law
JD
2001
Williams College
BA
Speaking Engagements
2012
Pennsylvania Bar Association CLE
Doctors/Lawyers Explore the Debate on Tort Reform
2011
Salem Baptist Church’s Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Day Luncheon
What Would Dr. King Say Today?
2011
Abington Memorial Hospital Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Program
Mine Eyes Have Seen
2009
Personal Injury Potpourri
Civil Litigation 101: Preparing & Responding to Written Discovery & Subpoenas
2009
In House CLE
Jury Selection & Sentiment in a Downturn Economy
Publications
2006
Update Magazine (FDLI)
Ethnic/Race Niche Drugs: Navigating Ethnicity and Race in Pharmaceuticals
2005
Pharmaceutical Litigation Reporter
FDA’s Independent Drug Safety Board: The Quest to Restore Confidence in FDA’s Stamp of Approval
2005
Update Magazine (FDLI)
Postmarketing Requirements for Medical Devices
Languages
English