Joel H. Smith

Joel Smith focuses his practice on the defense of product liability litigation, with an emphasis on automotive and pharmaceutical cases. He has represented manufacturers of automobiles, tires, forklifts and other equipment as well as consumer products in venues across the country. He has also served as MDL and lead counsel in pharmaceutical cases.

In his nearly 30 years of experience, Joel has played a first-chair trial role in automotive litigation nationwide. He has defended many types of cases, including catastrophic injury claims involving roof crush, restraints, rollover, crashworthiness, and tire defects, among others.

His experience in the pharmaceutical arena includes the defense of PPA litigation, where Joel was given a first-chair role. He also played a leading role in two MDL Daubert hearings. He was the principal examiner for all defendants in several preservation depositions of MDL experts. In addition, Joel was selected as trial counsel in Hormone Therapy cases and cases involving infant cough/cold products.

Joel has taught trial advocacy at the University of South Carolina, and has lectured nationally on automotive, pharmaceutical and trial advocacy issues.