Bio
Kelly L. Smith is a Principal in the firm's Casualty Litigation Department and Chair of the firm's Toxic Tort Liability Litigation Practice Group and maintains a national litigation practice focused on general civil defense and toxic tort defense. Her clients include product manufacturers, product suppliers, contractors, premises owners, and employers. She participates in all phases of litigation in various jurisdictions and serves as National Coordinating Counsel overseeing toxic tort litigation throughout the country.
Over her more than 20-year career, Ms. Smith has secured successful outcomes in both the Pennsylvania Court of Common Pleas and at the appellate level. She is highly involved with the portion of the Western Pennsylvania Bar handling asbestos litigation and regularly serves as lead defense counsel in cases in that area.
Ms. Smith has been awarded Martindale-Hubbell's AV – Preeminent rating based on peer review assessments of her legal proficiency, communication skills, and ethical standards. In the 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025 editions of The Best Lawyers in America© she was recognized in the categories of Litigation - Insurance, Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions, and Product Liability Litigation. For information about this selection and an overview of common third-party publications, rankings, and list methodologies, click here.
Prior to entering private practice, Ms. Smith gained valuable courtroom experience as an Assistant District Attorney in the Allegheny County District Attorney's Office.
Education
- J.D., Duquesne University School of Law, 1997
- B.A., Cum Laude, Ohio University, 1994
Bar Memberships
- Pennsylvania
Court Admissions
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
Affiliations
- Allegheny County Bar Association
News & Insights
Education
- J.D., Duquesne University School of Law, 1997
- B.A., Cum Laude, Ohio University, 1994
Bar Memberships
- Pennsylvania
Court Admissions
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
Affiliations
- Allegheny County Bar Association