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JoeSmith

Partner

Joe, an experienced litigator, is a partner in the firm’s Business Litigation practice group. He represents clients in state and federal courts in a broad range of commercial and civil matters, including complex litigation. His experience encompasses many areas of litigation including claims involving product liability as well as general, professional, real estate and medical liability. He is committed to working closely with clients to develop effective strategies and solutions to achieve their goals. Joe also counsels clients with respect to federal and state regulation related to the cannabis industry, including marijuana, hemp, and CBD products.

While attending law school, Joe was a law clerk with the U.S. Office of Special Counsel in Washington, D.C., where he expanded his knowledge of the Hatch Act, a complex statutory scheme governing state and federal employees’ political activities.

Best Lawyers Ones to Watch
National Cannabis Industry Association State Regulations Committee
Super Lawyers 2024

Focus Areas

Examples of Joe’s experience include:

  • Obtained dismissal of claims against a law firm client in a malpractice case.
  • Represented national and global corporations, including a pharmaceutical manufacturer/distributor and an equipment distributor, in product liability litigation.
  • Obtained summary judgment for a trucking company and tractor-trailer operator against multimillion-dollar negligence claim.
  • Secured voluntary dismissal of lead-paint claims against a property owner and manager.
  • Co-presenter, “Cannabis: A Legal Primer for Employers on a Growing Industry,” Thompson Hine Webinar, February 2023
  • Co-presenter, “Legal Issues Impacting the Cannabis Industry,” Thompson Hine Webinar, April 2021
  • Vice-chair, State Regulations Committee, National Cannabis Industry Association
  • Received a 2022, 2023 and 2024 Best Lawyers: Ones To Watch recognition for Commercial Litigation, and Product Liability Litigation-Defendants; included in the inaugural edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch for Commercial Litigation (2021)
  • Selected to the Washington, D.C. Rising Stars list, 2020-2024

Professional Associations

  • American Bar Association
  • Defense Research Institute
  • Fairfax Bar Association
  • Virginia Association of Defense Attorneys

Education

  • The George Washington University Law School, J.D., 2011,

    member, Federal Circuit Bar Journal

  • Indiana University, B.A.

Bar Admissions

  • District of Columbia
  • Maryland
  • Virginia

Court Admissions

  • U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia
  • U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia
  • U.S. District Court for the Western District of Virginia
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit