Bryan Wayne Smith

Bryan W. Smith has been in the private practice of law since 1992.  He earned a BS in Finance from the University of Central Florida in 1989.  Bryan graduate Cum Laude from Washburn University School of Law in 1992. 

While in law school, Bryan was member of the Washburn Law Journal where he successfully completed two articles:  Recovery of Wrongful Birth Damages in Kansas, Washburn Law Journal, Fall 1991 and Kansas Tort Reform:  Did it Really Work?, Washburn Law Journal, Spring 1992.  After completing law school, he authored the following articles: 1997 Amendments to the Federal Rules of Evidence, Journal of the Kansas Trial Lawyers Association, Vol. 22, No. 1, September 1998; Is Your Lawsuit Properly Commenced?,  Journal of the Kansas Trial Lawyers Association, Vol. 21, No. 1, September 1997; How to Prevent the Discovery of Opinions Held by Nontestifying Experts,  Journal of the Kansas Trial Lawyers Association, Vol. 19, No. 4, March 1996; Using the Deposition of a Party at Trial,  Journal of the Kansas Trial Lawyers Association, Vol. 19, No. 2, November 1995; The Decline and Fall of the Collateral Source Rule, American Bar Association, Young Lawyers Division, Litigation Committee Newsletter, Vol. 7, No.1, Fall 1993; Kansas Collateral Source Statute Held Unconstitutional,  Kansas Lawyer, Vol. 3, No. 14, April 18, 1993.  Most recently, Bryan has authored the Construction Insurance chapter in the Kansas Construction Law Handbook published by the Kansas Bar Association (first and second editions).

After completing law school, Bryan devoted many years representing patients in medical negligence cases and individuals injured in automobile collisions.  Bryan also served in the Topeka-Shawnee Planning Commission from 1995 through 1999, serving as Chairperson during his last year.  He has represented numerous clients in zoning and planning matters, as well as in complex commercial litigation.  

Throughout his career Bryan has represented small business owners and corporation involved in the construction industry.  This has involved filing and foreclosing mechanic’s liens, pursuing performance bonds and litigating defective construction claims.

Bryan is licensed in the State and Federal Court of both Kansas and Missouri.  Bryan has tried jury and court trials in both states.  He has represented clients in the appellate courts of both states and has argued before the Kansas Supreme Court.  Bryan also practices in Federal Court and has appeared before the 10th Circuit Courts of Appeals in Denver, Colorado. 

Bryan is a member of the American Bar Association, Kansas Bar Association, Topeka

Bar Association (President of Young Lawyers Section, 1993-94), Topeka Lawyers Club,

American Association for Justice, Kansas Association for Justice: (Member of Amicus

Curiae Committee, 1993-98) Board of Governors; Eagles Program Editor of Civil

Procedure Section, (Journal of KTLA 1991-98), Missouri Bar Association, Sam A. Crow

 Inn of Court (Executive Board member 1998-99) Washburn Law School Foundation,

Kansas Bar Foundation (Fellow).