Mark Edwin Smith

Mr. Smith began his professional career with the Houston Police Department where he served the community as a patrol officer, narcotics investigator, narcotics detection dog handler, and police sergeant for more than 20 years. Mr. Smith calls on his prior experience as a police officer to serve his legal clients better. He leads businesses through stressful situations, including litigation, data security incidents, negotiations, and other business disruption. Mr. Smith wants to understand not just the immediate issue, but the client’s business as a whole and the full context and history of any dispute or problem. Mr. Smith prefers to counsel clients proactively because when you really need a lawyer is before you NEED a lawyer.

Mr. Smith focuses his practice on protecting the rights of businesses and individuals in commercial disputes brought in court, arbitration or before administrative agencies. He also counsels clients regarding the best solutions to avoid litigation and proactively protect themselves from any potential litigation. Mr. Smith has represented clients in many disputes across numerous industries and subject matters, including automotive franchise and distribution, breach of contract, intellectual property licensing, construction, energy, and personal injury.

Mr. Smith also has experience counseling clients on data privacy laws and regulations and leading clients through the response to data breaches. The data privacy landscape is ever changing and Mr. Smith works to provide clients with strategies to mitigate exposure to litigation and regulatory enforcement actions that often result from data breaches. His experience includes assisting clients in meeting their statutory notice obligations under both state and federal statutes and regulations.