Kirby John Smith

In my 35 years of practice, I have developed an active ADR practice including arbitration and mediation. I also advise clients and litigate business disputes including general contract disputes, and represent companies regarding breach of various employment laws or workers’ compensation. I also litigate personal injury claims of every complexity on behalf of individuals and insurers. 

I was born, raised and went to school in Wisconsin. Growing up, my extended family operated several restaurants, a hotel, and several associated businesses which I worked at in various capacities throughout my youth. I double majored in politics and government and history at Ripon College in Wisconsin, graduating first in my class. I attended the University of Wisconsin for law school where I graduated in 1982, cum laude. 

I was recruited out of law school by Lionel Sawyer & Collins and worked there for 32 years. I was a partner in Lionel Sawyer & Collins’ Litigation Department, alternative dispute resolution, and labor and employment practice groups. My practice emphasis was general business litigation including contractual disputes, employer representation in a variety of employment cases including ADA, FLSA, and workers’ compensation, as well as personal injury cases, including product liability and mass torts. I am now practicing law in my own law firm – KIRBY J. SMITH, LTD. It was and is my goal in every case to understand the needs and objectives of my client and to help resolve the dispute in the most effective and efficient way possible.

I have represented defendants in FLSA collective/class actions, litigated hundreds of contested worker's compensation claims on behalf of employers, and have been managing attorney in Nevada for the target defendants in several nationwide product liability litigations. I am grateful that I have been recognized by my peers for many years for excellence in these efforts. 

I have published and lectured on employment law, damages, and workers’ compensation issues and taught administrative law at the College of Southern Nevada. 

I am a state approved Arbitrator in Nevada and a AAA trained mediator and have an active ADR practice.

Specialties: Arbitration, Mediation, Business Litigation, Employment Litigation, Worker's Compensation, FLSA, ADA, Product Liability.