Atty. J. Craig Smith

Atty. J. Craig Smith

Craig Smith specializes in cases involving complex legal questions and the vindication of plaintiffs’ rights at both the trial and appellate level. Craig is perhaps best known nationally for representing multiple victims from across the US who have been burned by exploding cooking spray cans, as well as for appearing on behalf of his cousin in a Georgia case before the United States Supreme Court in 2009.

Bridgeport Bridgeport 27 yrs experience 27 year
Call (475) 332-3369 Book Appointment

Profile Summary

About J. Craig Smith at a glance

J. Craig Smith is an Attorney based in Bridgeport, Connecticut, practicing at Koskoff Koskoff & Bieder PC. They have 27+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 1999. Their practice focuses on personal injury, product liability, and civil rights. Admitted to practice in South Carolina (1999), U.S. District Court, District of South Carolina (1999), Connecticut (2003), and U.S. District Court, District of Connecticut (2004). Educated at University of South Carolina School of Law (J.D., 1998) and DePaul University (B.A. Political, 1992). Recognitions include Peer Reviewed. Active member of New Haven, Bridgeport, Charleston County, South Carolina, Georgia and Connecticut Bar Associations South Carolina Bar (Circuit Representative, Young Lawyers Division, 2003) Association of Trial Lawyers of America South Carolina Trial Lawyers Association. Serands clients in Bridgeport, CT and the surrounding metropolitan area.

Verified attorney profile · Updated June 2026

About

  • Craig Smith specializes in cases involving complex legal questions and the vindication of plaintiffs’ rights at both the trial and appellate level
  • Craig is perhaps best known nationally for representing multiple victims from across the US who have been burned by exploding cooking spray cans, as well as for appearing on behalf of his cousin in a Georgia case before the United States Supreme Court in 2009
  • This case, Mohawk Industries, Inc. v
  • Carpenter, 130 S. Ct. 599, 175 L.Ed. 2d 458 (2009) went into the history books both as Justice Sonia Sotomayor’s first written opinion, and also as a substantial victory for civil rights plaintiffs battling large corporate defendants who see to use the appellate process to delay trial
  • Among a number of multimillion-dollar settlements and verdicts, other representative matters include an appearance in front of the Connecticut Supreme Court in a case against a trucking company for the wrongful death of a truck mechanic, a substantial verdict against Ford Motor Company involving fraud in South Carolina, and a $1.7 million verdict against the Town of Darien, CT on behalf of a motorist who was struck by a tree on a town road
  • Before entering the legal profession, Craig had a successful acting career in the theater, movies, and television
  • His appearances include roles in the movie Queen, the sequel to Roots, with Martin Sheen and Halle Berry
  • a regional tour of A Streetcar Named Desire
  • and the television show The Heat of the Night
  • Craig hails from Woodstock, Georgia

Practice Areas Explained

J. Craig Smith's Areas of Practice

Each practice area below reflects the types of cases J. Craig Smith handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.

Personal Injury

Personal injury attorneys help accident victims recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain & suffering. Most work on contingency — no fee unless you win.

J. Craig Smith is one of 264,852 personal injury attorneys indexed nationally. Browse personal injury attorneys in Connecticut →

Product Liability

J. Craig Smith is one of 66,193 product liability attorneys indexed nationally. Browse product liability attorneys in Connecticut →

Civil Rights

Civil rights attorneys for discrimination, police misconduct, constitutional rights, and civil liberties cases.

J. Craig Smith is one of 70,245 civil rights attorneys indexed nationally. Browse civil rights attorneys in Connecticut →

Jurisdictional Context

Why local counsel matters in Connecticut

Practicing law in Connecticut. Legal matters in Connecticut are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Bridgeport are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate Connecticut state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in Connecticut brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this andnue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in Connecticut courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.

Looking for additional Connecticut attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Bridgeport or all attorneys in Connecticut.

Frequently Asked

Common questions about J. Craig Smith

Where is J. Craig Smith's law office located?
J. Craig Smith's law practice is located in Bridgeport, Connecticut. The firm is Koskoff Koskoff & Bieder PC. You can contact the office directly through this profile page.
What practice areas does J. Craig Smith handle?
J. Craig Smith focuses on personal injury, product liability, civil rights. Each practice area listed reflects experience handling cases of that type in Connecticut.
How long has J. Craig Smith practiced law?
J. Craig Smith has 27+ years of legal experience and has been licensed since 1999.
Where did J. Craig Smith go to law school?
J. Craig Smith earned their education at (J.D., 1998); (B.A. Political, 1992).
How can I contact J. Craig Smith for a consultation?
You can contact J. Craig Smith directly through this profile page. Click "Ask the Attorney" to submit a question, or "Schedule a Consultation" to book a meeting. Most claimed-profile attorneys respond within one business day.
What awards or recognition has J. Craig Smith received?
J. Craig Smith's notable recognition includes: Peer Reviewed.

Education

J.D.
University of South Carolina School of Law
- 1998
B.A. Political
DePaul University
- 1992

Awards

Peer Reviewed

Bar Admissions

South Carolina
Admitted: 1999
U.S. District Court, District of South Carolina
Admitted: 1999
Connecticut
Admitted: 2003
U.S. District Court, District of Connecticut
Admitted: 2004
Georgia
Admitted: 2006
U.S. District Court, Northern District of Georgia
Admitted: 2007
U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit
Admitted: 2008
U.S. Supreme Court
Admitted: 2008

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