Matthew B. Smith

"As a litigator, I provide options for resolution that consider each client’s business objectives juxtaposed against the complex legal, technical, and industry issues inherent in their case. I believe in working to understand my client’s needs and advising them on risks and exposure so that we can develop a practical litigation strategy and achieve the best possible result for our clients."

Matt Smith is an advocate and litigator who is formidable yet unflappable, objective yet passionate, assertive yet tempered, and undeterred yet patient when it comes to resolving lawsuits with tens to hundreds of millions of dollars in dispute. Matt ensures his clients know the risks and opportunities inherent in the critical business decisions that permeate large-scale, complex, high-stakes, Louisiana state, federal, and appellate court litigation.

Matt brings acute skill in the law and litigation procedure to toxic tort defense and the resolution of environmental claims involving energy industry clients. He represents oil and gas exploration, production, and mid-stream companies and other businesses faced with sophisticated litigation claims, including property damage and contamination, property rights lawsuits, oilfield legacy litigation, environmental and regulatory compliance issues, and commercial and contractual disputes.

Matt guides clients through difficult lawsuits and advises on the associated regulatory standards inherent in cases involving soil and groundwater contamination and air pollution. He is experienced not only in contract negotiation, but also in managing litigation that ranges in size and scope and involves many moving parts, including complicated facts, extensive data and discovery, numerous technical and subject matter experts and consultants, and teams of national counsel.

At the center of Matt’s practice is a relentless drive to succeed while conserving client time and resources. Matt does not believe in overworking case files or wasting time on issues that are not germane to his client’s case. Matt is about efficiency and organization as manifested in his ability to analyze difficult issues, develop processes and procedures that streamline case management and resolution, and establish uniform and repeatable processes to ensure accuracy and quality while avoiding waste.

Analytical by nature, Matt is fluent in the technical, scientific, and accounting details inherent in complex litigation – know-how that often makes or breaks his client’s success. Whether at trial or through discrete negotiation and settlement, Matt is a process-oriented “idea man” who thinks outside of the box to effectively defend his client’s rights and reputation. Undeterred by seemingly insurmountable contention and the threat of serious financial consequences, Matt works tirelessly to ensure each client understands the business and legal components of their specific lawsuit so that the right decision can be made and reflected in their case strategy.

While at LSU law school, Matt served as a Research Assistant to Professor John Randall Trahan. He assisted with the research and preparation of materials involving recent developments in Louisiana property, sales and lease, child support, and filiation law, and assisted in the preparation of the professor’s Precís on Property Law. Learning from Professor Trahan’s approach to conceptualizing, breaking down, and explaining an entire area of law gave Matt the tools necessary to more effectively approach, analyze, and explain complex issues in litigation.

Prior to the law, Matt worked at Cutco knives as a Sales Representative and then as the Manager of three offices. He developed critical skills in managing people and processes efficiently, cultivated his ability to build rapport with clients and the internal company departments and constituents needed to drive productivity and meet growth objectives, as well as provided the requisite training, objection resolution, and problem-solving needed to succeed throughout his tenure.