Cases That Matter

• Class Counsel in Tri-State Crematory Case:
  • $36 Million Settlement with Funeral Homes
  • $80 Million Settlement with Crematory
• Lead Counsel in NHC Nursing Home Fire Litigation
  (17 deaths; confidential settlements)
• Lead Counsel in $160 Million Prison Death Case Against Corrections Corporation of America
• Lead Counsel in Wrongful Death Suit Against
  $314 Million West Virginia Powerball Winner
• Lead Counsel in U.S. Supreme Court Case Involving funding of Pervasively Sectarian Private Schools.
• Plaintiffs' Counsel in Jordan v. Baptist Three Rivers Hospital, 984 S.W.2d 593 (Tenn. 1999) (changed 100 years of Tennessee law; damages in a death case now include compensation for the loss of love, affection, companionship and consortium).
• Plaintiffs' Counsel in "True Stories From the Morgue" Televised Autopsy/Invasion of Privacy Cases. (Brief).

Certified Experience

• David Randolph Smith is Certified as a Civil Trial Specialist by the Tennessee Commission on Continuing Legal Education and Specialization.
• Mr. Smith is also Certified as a Medical Malpractice Specialist by the Tennessee Commission on Continuing Legal Education and Specialization.
• Mr. Smith has been evaluated by his peers and received an "AV" rating by Martindale-Hubbell--the highest rating possible--indicating Very High to Preeminent Legal Ability (A) and a Very High general ethical standards ratings. (V).
• Edmund J. Schmidt III graduated from the prestigious Gerry Spence Trial Lawyers College.
• With 48 years of combined trial experience, Mr. Smith and Mr. Schmidt have tried hundreds of cases in state and federal courts throughout the nation.

Results

• We have recovered over one hundred million dollars ($100,000,000.00) for clients in cases involving personal injuries or deaths. Case results depend upon a variety of factors unique to each case. Indications of past case results do not guarantee or predict a similar result in future cases.

Mission Statement

• Since its founding in 1993, the firm strives to maintain a small caseload with a commitment to vigorous prosecution of well-researched cases. Lawsuits should improve society and achieve justice.
• With those goals in mind, we seek cases and clients where the issues are important to public policy and involve substantial injuries or constitutional questions. We welcome co-counsel relationships and referrals from attorneys for important cases.