Atty. Matthew B. Smith
Matt Smith is a commercial litigator based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where he practices with Kean Miller . He represents businesses in complex litigation involving tens to hundreds of millions of dollars in dispute in Louisiana state and federal courts, as well as on appeal.
Profile Summary
About Matthew B. Smith at a glance
Matthew B. Smith is a business, litigation, environmental, and energy attorney based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, practicing at Kean Miller. Admitted to practice in Louisiana, Louisiana State Bar Association. Educated at Louisiana State University (J.D., 2013) and Louisiana State University (B.A., 2009). Recognitions include Best Lawyers in America — Commercial Litigation (2026), Best Lawyers in America — Energy Law (2026), and Best Lawyers in America — Environmental Law (2026). Serands clients in Baton Rouge, LA and the surrounding metropolitan area.
Want to Get Service From This Attorney?
Sign up free and choose one of the two methods below.
Have a legal question? Sign up free, submit it through the Ask the Attorney module and receive a focused answer from a specialist.
- Free to ask a question
- Answers from specialist attorneys
- Optional private / anonymous question
Request an online video meeting or an in-person consultation at the attorney's office. Pick a time that works for you and share the details securely.
- Online video meeting
- In-person at the attorney's office
- Secure messaging and payment
About
- Matt Smith is a commercial litigator based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where he practices with Kean Miller
- He represents businesses in complex litigation involving tens to hundreds of millions of dollars in dispute in Louisiana state and federal courts, as well as on appeal
- Matt focuses on helping clients understand the legal, regulatory, and business risks and opportunities that inform critical decision-making throughout high-stakes litigation
- Matt’s practice includes Commercial Litigation, Energy Law, Environmental Law, Litigation – Environmental, and Oil and Gas Law
- He regularly represents oil and gas exploration, production, and midstream companies, along with other businesses, in matters involving toxic tort defense, environmental claims, property damage and contamination, property rights disputes, oilfield legacy litigation, regulatory compliance issues, and contractual and commercial disputes
- Matt advises clients navigating lawsuits that involve soil and groundwater contamination, air emissions, and related regulatory standards
- His work frequently requires managing litigation with complicated factual records, extensive discovery, large data sets, and coordinated efforts among technical consultants, scientific experts, and national counsel
- In addition to litigation, he assists with contract negotiation and dispute resolution strategies tailored to each client’s operational and business objectives
- Efficiency and organization are central to Matt’s approach
- He prioritizes focused advocacy and practical case management, avoiding unnecessary motion practice or discovery that does not advance the client’s position
- By developing streamlined processes and repeatable procedures, Matt works to conserve client resources while maintaining accuracy, consistency, and attention to detail throughout the life of a case
- Matt is analytical by nature and comfortable working with the scientific, technical, and financial issues that often drive complex commercial and environmental litigation
- Whether at trial or in negotiation and settlement discussions, he approaches each matter with a process-oriented mindset, helping clients evaluate options and make informed decisions that align with their legal and business priorities
- While attending LSU Law School, Matt served as a Research Assistant to Professor John Randall Trahan
- In that role, he assisted with research and drafting related to developments in Louisiana property, sales and lease, child support, and filiation law, as well as materials for the Professor’s Précis on Property Law
- This experience shaped Matt’s ability to break down and clearly explain complex legal concepts in litigation
- Before entering the legal profession, Matt worked at Cutco Knives as a Sales Representative and later managed three offices
- That experience strengthened his skills in team management, process development, client communication, and problem-solving—skills that continue to inform his litigation practice today
Practice Areas Explained
Matthew B. Smith's Areas of Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Matthew B. Smith handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.
Business attorneys advise founders and growing companies on entity formation, contracts, financing, M&A, and dispute resolution.
Matthew B. Smith is one of 501,317 business attorneys indexed nationally. Browse business attorneys in Louisiana →
Civil litigation attorneys for breach of contract, business disputes, civil rights, and class action lawsuits.
Matthew B. Smith is one of 454,532 litigation attorneys indexed nationally. Browse litigation attorneys in Louisiana →
Environmental attorneys for regulatory compliance, contamination, land use, and natural resource law.
Matthew B. Smith is one of 56,434 environmental attorneys indexed nationally. Browse environmental attorneys in Louisiana →
Energy attorneys for oil & gas, renewables, utility regulation, and energy sector transactions.
Matthew B. Smith is one of 36,230 energy attorneys indexed nationally. Browse energy attorneys in Louisiana →
Jurisdictional Context
Why local counsel matters in Louisiana
Practicing law in Louisiana. Legal matters in Louisiana are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Baton Rouge are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate Louisiana state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in Louisiana 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 Louisiana courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.
Looking for additional Louisiana attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Baton Rouge or all attorneys in Louisiana.
Frequently Asked
Common questions about Matthew B. Smith
Where is Matthew B. Smith's law office located?
What practice areas does Matthew B. Smith handle?
Where did Matthew B. Smith go to law school?
How can I contact Matthew B. Smith for a consultation?
What awards or recognition has Matthew B. Smith received?
Practice Areas
Education
Awards
Bar Admissions
Reviews
No reviews yet.