Atty. Paul W. Smith

Atty. Paul W. Smith

For over twenty-eight years, Paul Smith has been very successful trying many different types of cases to juries. He has also tried numerous bench trials and argued in federal and state appellate courts.

Houston Houston 36 yrs experience 36 year
Call (713) 659-6400 Book Appointment

Profile Summary

About Paul W. Smith at a glance

Paul W. Smith is a personal injury, business, construction, and litigation attorney based in Houston, Texas, practicing at Ware, Jackson, Lee, O'Neill, Smith & Barrow LLP. They have 36+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 1990. Admitted to practice in Texas (1990). Educated at The University of Texas (J.D., 1990) and The University of Texas (B.A., 1987). Recognitions include Best Lawyers in America — Commercial Litigation (2026), Best Lawyers in America — Litigation - Construction (2026), and Best Lawyers in America — Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants (2026). Serands clients in Houston, TX and the surrounding metropolitan area.

Verified attorney profile · Updated June 2026

About

  • For over twenty-eight years, Paul Smith has been very successful trying many different types of cases to juries
  • He has also tried numerous bench trials and argued in federal and state appellate courts
  • Paul has tried a variety of cases on both sides of the docket, including oil & gas, environmental, commercial, personal injury, products liability, professional liability and employment cases
  • Paul started his career in the Tort section at Vinson and Elkins before joining Ware Jackson
  • He is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates and is AV Rated by Martindale-Hubbell, the highest rating from the preeminent standard in attorney ratings
  • Early in his career, Paul learned that the keys to winning a case are knowledge of the law and sustained, relentless and focused preparation
  • Paul has been fortunate enough to work both with and against some of the best trial lawyers in the country
  • This experience has allowed him to develop the skills in advocacy and good judgment he uses to represent his clients
  • Paul gives honest and straightforward evaluations to clients, directly answering their questions and advising them on what work needs to be done to consistently meet or exceed goals
  • He is always available for his clients — early, late, weekends and holidays
  • His talent for advocacy, persuasion skills and judgment allows him to ethically, efficiently and successfully represent clients with diverse types of issues and cases
  • Paul’s sincere belief in the American civil judicial system is what ultimately drove him to choose his profession
  • He believes in the jury system, and he believes that if (i) attorneys are advocates, (ii) judges are guardians of the law and (iii) jury members are fact finders, our legal system works better than any other legal system in the world
  • Paul enjoys spending his free time with his wife, son and twin daughters
  • The family regularly enjoys a variety of outdoor activities, including hiking and golf
  • Paul has been a board member of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and remains active in trying to find a cure to Type 1 diabetes

Practice Areas Explained

Paul W. Smith's Areas of Practice

Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Paul W. 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.

Paul W. Smith is one of 264,852 personal injury attorneys indexed nationally. Browse personal injury attorneys in Texas →

Business & Corporate Law

Business attorneys advise founders and growing companies on entity formation, contracts, financing, M&A, and dispute resolution.

Paul W. Smith is one of 501,317 business attorneys indexed nationally. Browse business attorneys in Texas →

Construction Law

Paul W. Smith is one of 40,689 construction attorneys indexed nationally. Browse construction attorneys in Texas →

Civil Litigation

Civil litigation attorneys for breach of contract, business disputes, civil rights, and class action lawsuits.

Paul W. Smith is one of 454,532 litigation attorneys indexed nationally. Browse litigation attorneys in Texas →

Jurisdictional Context

Why local counsel matters in Texas

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

Looking for additional Texas attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Houston or all attorneys in Texas.

Frequently Asked

Common questions about Paul W. Smith

Where is Paul W. Smith's law office located?
Paul W. Smith's law practice is located in Houston, Texas. The firm is Ware, Jackson, Lee, O'Neill, Smith & Barrow LLP. You can contact the office directly through this profile page.
What practice areas does Paul W. Smith handle?
Paul W. Smith focuses on personal injury, business, construction, litigation. Each practice area listed reflects experience handling cases of that type in Texas.
How long has Paul W. Smith practiced law?
Paul W. Smith has 36+ years of legal experience and has been licensed since 1990.
Where did Paul W. Smith go to law school?
Paul W. Smith earned their education at (J.D., 1990); (B.A., 1987).
How can I contact Paul W. Smith for a consultation?
You can contact Paul W. 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 Paul W. Smith received?
Paul W. Smith's notable recognition includes: Best Lawyers in America — Commercial Litigation; Best Lawyers in America — Litigation - Construction; Best Lawyers in America — Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants; Best Lawyers in America — Additional Areas of Practice:; Best Lawyers in America — Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law.

Education

J.D.
The University of Texas
- 1990
B.A.
The University of Texas
- 1987

Awards

Best Lawyers in America — Commercial Litigation
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Litigation - Construction
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Additional Areas of Practice:
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Oil and Gas Law
- 2026
Lawyer of the Year — Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants (Houston)
- 2023

Bar Admissions

Texas
Admitted: 1990

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