Atty. Jeffrey D. "Jeff" Smith

Atty. Jeffrey D. "Jeff" Smith

Jeff Smith is a partner in the Cleveland office and a member of the firm's Employee Benefits Practice Group. He works with clients to create, implement and maintain their retirement and health plans.

Call (440) 838-8800 Book Appointment

Profile Summary

About Jeffrey D. "Jeff" Smith at a glance

Jeffrey D. "Jeff" Smith is a employment attorney based in Cleveland, Ohio, practicing at Fisher Phillips LLP. Admitted to practice in Ohio, Ohio State Bar Association. Educated at Case Western Reserve University (J.D., 2004) and Baldwin-Wallace College (BS, 2001). Recognitions include Best Lawyers in America — Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law (2026), Best Lawyers in America — Employment Law - Management (2026), and Best Lawyers in America — Additional Areas of Practice: (2026). Serands clients in Cleveland, OH and the surrounding metropolitan area.

Verified attorney profile · Updated June 2026

About

  • Jeff Smith is a partner in the Cleveland office and a member of the firm's Employee Benefits Practice Group
  • He works with clients to create, implement and maintain their retirement and health plans
  • He also advises employers on the impact of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), as well as Multiple Employer Welfare Arrangements (MEWAs) and Voluntary Employer Beneficiary Associations (VEBAs)
  • While in law school, Jeff served as Executive Notes Editor and earlier as Associate Editor of the Health Matrix: Journal of Law-Medicine
  • He has been selected for inclusion in Ohio Super Lawyers -Rising Star three times
  • He was also listed in Best Lawyers in 2017

Practice Areas Explained

Jeffrey D. "Jeff" Smith's Areas of Practice

Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Jeffrey D. "Jeff" Smith handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.

Employment Law

Employment lawyers represent workers in wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, wage & hour disputes, and severance negotiations.

Jeffrey D. "Jeff" Smith is one of 169,120 employment attorneys indexed nationally. Browse employment attorneys in Ohio →

Jurisdictional Context

Why local counsel matters in Ohio

Practicing law in Ohio. Legal matters in Ohio are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Cleveland are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate Ohio state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in Ohio 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 Ohio courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.

Looking for additional Ohio attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Cleveland or all attorneys in Ohio.

Frequently Asked

Common questions about Jeffrey D. "Jeff" Smith

Where is Jeffrey D. "Jeff" Smith's law office located?
Jeffrey D. "Jeff" Smith's law practice is located in Cleveland, Ohio. The firm is Fisher Phillips LLP. You can contact the office directly through this profile page.
What practice areas does Jeffrey D. "Jeff" Smith handle?
Jeffrey D. "Jeff" Smith focuses on employment. Each practice area listed reflects experience handling cases of that type in Ohio.
Where did Jeffrey D. "Jeff" Smith go to law school?
Jeffrey D. "Jeff" Smith earned their education at (J.D., 2004); (BS, 2001).
How can I contact Jeffrey D. "Jeff" Smith for a consultation?
You can contact Jeffrey D. "Jeff" 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 Jeffrey D. "Jeff" Smith received?
Jeffrey D. "Jeff" Smith's notable recognition includes: Best Lawyers in America — Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law; Best Lawyers in America — Employment Law - Management; Best Lawyers in America — Additional Areas of Practice:; Best Lawyers in America — Labor Law - Management; Best Lawyers in America — Litigation - Labor and Employment.

Education

J.D.
Case Western Reserve University
- 2004
BS
Baldwin-Wallace College
- 2001

Awards

Best Lawyers in America — Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Employment Law - Management
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Additional Areas of Practice:
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Labor Law - Management
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Litigation - Labor and Employment
- 2026

Bar Admissions

Ohio, Ohio State Bar Association

Reviews

These reviews belong to platform users; they do not constitute advertisement or promotion for the attorney. Opinions are published for informational purposes only.

No reviews yet.