Timothy P. Smith
Timothy P. Smith of Traverse City, Michigan, graduated the University of Notre Dame with dual degrees in English and Philosophy in 1989. He received his Juris Doctorate from the Notre Dame Law School in 1992. He began the practice of law in Lansing in 1992, but in 1995 he and his wife Shawn returned home to Traverse City to work and raise their family.
Mr. Smith sits on the Executive Board of the Michigan Association for Justice (MAJ). He currently co-chairs MAJ’s Publication Committee. He is admitted to practice before all Michigan Courts. He is a member of the Michigan Bar, Michigan Association for Justice, American Association for Justice, the National Head Injury Foundation, the Brain Injury Association and the Traumatic Brain Injury Litigation Section of the American Association for Justice. In 2003, he accepted an appointment through the American Association for Justice to sit as the State Chair for the Republican Trial Lawyer Caucus. Further, in that same year, he was nominated and elected to membership in The Fellows of the Michigan State Bar Foundation. At the age of 34, he received an “AV” rating from Martindale-Hubbell which is the highest rating of legal ability and ethics awarded by the company. According to Martindale, “an AV® certification mark is a significant rating accomplishment – a testament to the fact that a lawyer’s peers rank him or her at the highest level of professional excellence.”
Mr. Smith serves on the Council of Advocates for the Great Lakes Children’s Museum and the Advisory Board to National City Bank in Traverse City, Michigan. He is a former board member for the Father Fred Foundation. He is a past president of the Ancient Order of Hibernians. Since 2000, Mr. Smith moderates MAJ’s winter seminar which focuses on litigation strategies and techniques. He has lectured frequently for MAJ in areas of trial discovery, depositions, auto no-fault, and closed head injuries. In 2002, he was asked by the State Bar of Michigan to author an article on the state of hedonic damages in Michigan for their litigation section. In 1998, Mr. Smith received the highest plaintiff’s verdict in the history of Oscoda County. In 2006, he was recognized by the Grand Traverse Business News as one of the most influential businessmen under the age of 40 in Northern Michigan, and in 2008, he was recognized by Traverse the Magazine as one of Traverse City’s “A-List” attorneys.
Mr. Smith currently sits on the Board of Directors of the Brain Injury Association of Michigan and the legal advisory counsel to the Sara Jane Brain Foundation. In 2009 he was recognized by the American Trial Lawyers association as one of the top 100 trial attorneys in the State of Michigan. He was also nominated and included in the 2009 issue of Super Lawyers magazine.
Mr. Smith is also a licensed fly fishing guide and owner of CML River Guides, Inc. When not practicing law or guiding the rivers of northern Michigan, he enjoys spending time with his wife Shawn and his three children Caroline, Molly and Luke.
CLIENT TESTIMONIALS
“Tim is a professional in every sense of the word. He maintains a positive attitude and a focus on core objectives, regardless of the obstacles. If I were looking for legal representation or professional advice in Northern Michigan, I would go to Tim Smith first… and I had over 1200 attorneys in my client list from his region. He’s the best of the best.” – November 24, 2009
Joe Gough , Consultant & Territory Manager , Lexis Nexis- Division of Reed Elsevier
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“Tim: I am very thankful to you for the venison [I made sure this client, who could no longer hunt, got some backstrap and steaks from my deer] and me and my mother wanted to get you something to show our thanks to you where that next year’s thing’s will be better and I am glad to have you not only for my lawyer but also a good friend. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, Your Friend, Freddie”
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Dear Tim:
I wanted to take a special opportunity to thank you and also to congratulate you on a job very well done recently.
It was very interesting for me to watch your thought process and resultant actions in dealing with a man who was taking advantage of the letter of the law, to misuse the legal process, in an attempt to avoid his just debt and the legal action of the Court in Traverse City. I was impressed with your analysis and your action, and most impressed with your moral commitment to do what was just and right! Your conscientious concern is a credit to you and to your family and to the legal profession.
Thank you again and best wishes.
Sincerely,
Dr. John M.
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“Dear Tim,
You are very special! Thank you for helping Jen and I through our problem. We both truly appreciate all you’ve done for us! Thank you for your caring love and support!! We truly appreciate you!
Love, Sally and Jen”
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“Tim:
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all you’ve done for me. May God continue to shine his blessings on you throughout the New Year.
God Bless You, Mike”
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“Dear Tim:
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU for helping me out. You give me light at the end of this dark tunnel. Matt”
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“Dear Tim:
….you are the most talented, balanced, personable, and compassionate man that I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. This personal opinion was formed prior to any professional relationship with you.
Tim, you are the consumate personal and professional role model due to your selfless contributions toward others. It is especially rewarding for me to experience the results manifested from quality families such as yours. After 27 years of knowing your father and mother, my respect for the Smith Family continues to grow as a result of your kindness.
Respectfully Yours,
Mike”
email: tsmith@smith-johnson.com
phone: 231.946.0700
