Dawn Marie Smith

I grew up in Tucson, Arizona, guided by a strong single mom and supportive grandparents. I learned early that hard work and ambitious goals were expected in our family, and I was always encouraged I could achieve anything I believed. An eighth-grade visit to the U.S. Supreme Court ignited my passion for driving positive change through the law, as I watched the lawyers’ skillful and relenting arguments rise upward toward the nine Justices. I realized then, one person could make a lasting impact on many through an argument in one case. I was the first one in my family to graduate from college, and I knew law school was my path.

After earning a B.A. in Economics from the University of North Texas and graduating from Whittier Law School in Southern California, I was lucky to start my practice with a plaintiff’s firm who represented victims of abuse and neglect. I immediately began trying cases and learned I was a trial lawyer. From 2002 to 2010, I played a key role in securing over $60 million in verdicts and settlements on behalf of our clients. I learned systemic change was possible at the highest levels. One lawsuit at a time, we could protect the most vulnerable members of our society from abuse and neglect now and in the future.

In 2011, I moved back to Texas with my family where I accepted a new role managing a litigation docket of over 500 asbestos cases. In that role my trial team achieved a $322 million verdict, which was the largest single-plaintiff asbestos verdict in history at that time. One of my proudest moments, however, took me back to Washington D.C. where I stood before the U.S. Supreme Court and was sworn in as a member of the Supreme Court Bar. Years later, in 2019, I stood before the Court again where I had the honor of making a motion to admit two of our litigation associates to the same Supreme Court Bar. This moment marked the culmination of years of hard work, dedication, and an unwavering belief in the law's power to effect positive change.

Currently I am an owner and the Managing Partner of Smith Clinesmith LLP. We focus exclusively on national healthcare liability law in the area of nursing home abuse and neglect. We practice in 18 states to effect systematic change for our elderly living in nursing homes, hospitals and assisted living facilities. This role enables me to continue searching for justice by protecting the rights and dignity of our most vulnerable population - our disabled elderly.

Beyond the courtroom, I am driven by a deep passion for imparting the lessons of hard work and unwavering dedication to my children, so they also know they can achieve whatever they believe. I hope to inspire not only my family but those around me. Dedication and resilience can leave a lasting impact, not only within the legal profession but on our clients, their families and all we touch along our journey to influence change.

LITIGATION EXPERIENCE:

Achieved over 350 million dollars in verdicts and settlements on behalf of clients;
Successfully litigated a variety of personal injury cases involving asbestos exposure, medical malpractice, elder abuse, employment law, and child abuse and neglect including high-profile cases against the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, a national youth sports organization, and the County of Orange-Department of Children and Family Services; Class action lawsuits 

Specialization:

Litigation attorney specializing in nursing home abuse and neglect cases. 

Bar Admissions:

• State Bar of California
• USDC Central District of California
• U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit
• U.S. Supreme Court Bar
• State Bar of Texas
• USDC Northern District of Texas
• USDC Northern District of California
• USDC Southern District of California
• U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit

Memberships:

• American Association of Justice
• Texas Trial Lawyers Association
• AAJ Nursing Home Litigation Group
• Dallas Women Lawyers Association
• Dallas Trial Lawyers Association
• Dallas Bar Association
• Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles (CAALA)

Awards:

• National Trial Lawyers Association – Civil Plaintiff - Top 100
• National Trial Lawyers Association – Civil Plaintiff - Top 100 – Executive Committee
• National Trial Lawyers Association – Nursing Home – Top 10
• National Women Trial Lawyers Association – Top 25