Atty. Julie A. Smith
Julie Smith is an appellate lawyer who also specializes in advising trial attorneys on litigation strategy and in drafting and arguing complex motions. Before joining Cosgrave, she served as an Assistant Attorney General in the Trial and Appellate Divisions of the Oregon Department of Justice, where she twice received the department’s Outstanding Achievement Award.
Profile Summary
About Julie A. Smith at a glance
Julie A. Smith is a appellate attorney based in Portland, Oregon, practicing at Cosgrave Vergeer Kester LLP. They have 28+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 1998. Admitted to practice in Oregon, Oregon State Bar (1998). Educated at University of Oregon (J.D., 1998). Recognitions include Lawyer of the Year — Appellate Practice, Portland (OR) (2026), Best Lawyers in America — Appellate Practice (2026), and Best Lawyers in America — Railroad Law (2026). Serands clients in Portland, OR and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About
Julie Smith is an appellate lawyer who also specializes in advising trial attorneys on litigation strategy and in drafting and arguing complex motions.
Before joining Cosgrave, she served as an Assistant Attorney General in the Trial and Appellate Divisions of the Oregon Department of Justice, where she twice received the department’s Outstanding Achievement Award. Prior to that, she clerked for the Honorable Virginia Linder of the Oregon Court of Appeals.
Appellate services include:
- Reviewing the trial court record
- Identifying appeal-worthy issues
- Evaluating the merits of a potential appeal
- Participating in appellate mediation
- Developing a strategy for an appeal
- Writing appellate briefs, including amicus briefs
- Presenting oral argument
Litigation support services include:
- Identifying and analyzing complex legal issues
- Consulting on litigation strategy
- Drafting and arguing dispositive motions
- Drafting and arguing trial submissions, including trial memoranda, jury instructions, motions in limine, verdict forms, and directed-verdict motions
- Drafting and arguing post-trial motions, including motions for new trial
- Attending trial to ensure that a proper trial court record is made and that specific issues are properly preserved for appeal
Practice Areas Explained
Julie A. Smith's Areas of Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Julie A. Smith handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.
Appellate attorneys for civil and criminal appeals at state and federal court.
Julie A. Smith is one of 86,319 appellate attorneys indexed nationally. Browse appellate attorneys in Oregon →
Jurisdictional Context
Why local counsel matters in Oregon
Practicing law in Oregon. Legal matters in Oregon are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Portland are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate Oregon state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in Oregon 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 Oregon courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.
Looking for additional Oregon attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Portland or all attorneys in Oregon.
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