Matthew Westcott Smith

Matthew Westcott Smith

also known as Matt Smith, Matthew W. Smith

4.8
Rating: 10.0

Licensed for 26 years

Business Lawyer at Williamsburg, VA
Practice Areas: Business, Insurance, Real Estate

485 McLaws Circle, Williamsburg, VA

About Matthew

Biography

Practice Areas

3

Practice Areas

Business 60%

Business and Commercial Litigation; Business Organization, Sale and Purchase; Employment Law; Contracts Review and Drafting; Commercial Real Estate Transactions.

60%
Insurance 20%

I represent individuals and businesses in matters against insurance companies.

20%
Real Estate 20%

I represent commercial landlords and business owners in real estate transactions and disputes.

20%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Hourly Rates

$ 375-375 per hour


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card

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Licenses

Licensed in Virginia for 26 years

State: Virginia

Acquired: 1999

Active

No misconduct found

Licensed in Colorado for 16 years

State: Colorado

Acquired: 2009

Inactive

No misconduct found

Location

OTEY SMITH & QUARLES

485 McLaws Circle, Williamsburg, VA, 23185

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Matthew Westcott Smith's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.8 /5.0

21 Client Reviews

Posted by anonymous | December 15, 2022 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Timely and effective

Matt quickly and easily resolved a contract dispute in our favor with a well conceived argument rooted in Virginia law and standards. He was always available to chat and communicated clearly and promptly. I hope we never need to hire him again but he would be the first person I contacted if we find... ourselves in need.

Posted by Marlene | July 15, 2021 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Divorce & Eviction

Matt and his colleagues are straightforward which I absolutely love! He helped finalize my divorce when I gave up on trying to do the paperwork myself. Then, two years later, I ended up with another a$$hole that Matt helped me evict from my home. Needless to say, I will always go to Matt for any type... of legal consultation. Thank you for keeping it real, Matt!

Posted by anonymous | October 4, 2018 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Knowledgeable and professional

We went to Matt, who is a personal friend of my husband's from their Army National Guard days, for help getting paperwork together to buy a business. Matt is very knowledgeable about the ins and outs of business and owning a business, paperwork needed, etc. We met once with him and contacted him seve...ral times via text and phone. He was always prompt to answer and also very helpful. We highly recommend Matt Smith for your business legal needs.

Posted by Diane | June 13, 2017 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Best Lawyer I could ever pray for!

Matt is very understanding, approachable and very knowledgeable in helping his clients. I was very comfortable talking to him about a family matter that I was first somewhat embarrassed to follow through with - getting a judgement against my sister who stole my share of my mother's trust fund for us.... Matt did a great job in making me feel right about my desire to make her pay me my share and the expenses incurred while doing so. He's worth the drive from Virginia Beach to Williamsburg! I am also going to have him prepare a will for me!!!

Posted by anonymous | June 8, 2017 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Highly recommend!

Was very pleased with the professionalism and timely response. I would highly recommend.

See All Client Reviews

Matthew Westcott Smith's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Matthew
Alexander W Powell Jr. headshot
Alexander Powell

Litigation lawyer | Sep 12

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I have worked closely with Matt and highly recommend him."

Michael Bruce Ware headshot
Michael Ware

Litigation lawyer | Feb 27

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I have known Matt Smith for a number of years and have had the opportunity to work with him in the profession. He is very talented, and has earned a good reputation in the legal community for his abilities, and professionalism."

Stephen Clawson Robertson headshot
Stephen Robertson

Litigation lawyer | Feb 18

Relationship: Other

"Mr. Smith is a law school classmate and friend. His integrity and honesty are unassailable. I frequently use him as a sounding board for issues that are troubling me in my practice. I would highly recommend him both as a litigator and as a business counselor."

Jeremy Johnson headshot
Jeremy Johnson

Military law lawyer | Feb 08

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

View All Endorsements
William Paul Bray headshot
William Bray

Business lawyer

Donald Rossen Schuyler Greene headshot
Donald Greene

Litigation lawyer

Alexander W Powell Jr. headshot
Alexander Powell

Estate planning lawyer

Michael Bruce Ware headshot
Michael Ware

Litigation lawyer

Stephen Clawson Robertson headshot
Stephen Robertson

Litigation lawyer

Jeremy Johnson headshot
Jeremy Johnson

Estate planning lawyer

Experience

Rating:  10.0 (Superb)

Honors

2020

AV Preeminent Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

2019

Top Lawyer of Coastal Virginia, Coastal Virginia Magazine

2010

Meritorious Service Medal, US Army

2008

Defense Meritorious Service Medal, U.S. Department of Defense

2007

Iraq Campaign Medal, U.S. Army

2007

Combat Action Badge, US Army

Work Experience

2024 - Present

Division Commander, US Coast Guard Auxiliary

2010 - Present

Partner, Otey Smith & Quarles Attorneys

2010 - 2017

Adjunct Professor of Law, William & Mary Law School

2006 - 2010

Of Counsel, Kaufman & Canoles, PC

2001 - 2010

Judge Advocate, Virginia Army National Guard

1999 - 2006

Partner, Jones Blechman Woltz & Kelly, PC

Associations

1999 - Present

Virginia State Bar

Active Member

2016 - 2018

Williamsburg Bar Association

President

2008 - 2019

Williamsburg Bar Association

Board Member

2008 - 2025

National Ski Patrol

Alpine Patroller

2004 - 2011

Military Law Section, Virginia State Bar

Chair (2010-2011)

Education

1999

College of William & Mary

JD - Juris Doctor

1995

State University of New York at Buffalo

PhD - Doctorate

1990

State University of New York at Buffalo

M.A.

1988

Excelsior College

BS - Bachelor of Science

Speaking Engagements

2015

Virginia Army National Guard Annual JAG Conference

Legal Ethics for Military Lawyers

Languages

English

Activity

Avvo Rating

Our Rating is calculated using information the lawyer has included on their profile in addition to the information we collect from state bar associations and other organizations that license legal professionals. Attorneys who claim their profiles and provide Avvo with more information tend to have a higher rating than those who do not.

What determines Avvo Rating?
  • Experience & background Years licensed, work experience, education
  • Legal community recognition Peer endorsements, associations, awards
  • Legal thought leadership Publications, speaking engagements
  • Discipline Disciplinary information may not be comprehensive, or updated. We recommend that you always check a lawyer's disciplinary status with their respective state bar association before hiring them.
Avvo Rating Levels
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