Atty. Ralph H. Smith II
Ralph Smith is special counsel in the Corporate Practice Group. He handles general corporate and business matters, international transactions, healthcare, higher education, and NCAA compliance.
Profile Summary
About Ralph H. Smith II at a glance
Ralph H. Smith II is a business attorney based in Birmingham, Alabama, practicing at Jones Walker Llp. Educated at Yale University (J.D., 1979). Recognitions include Best Lawyers in America — Corporate Law (2026), Best Lawyers in America — Additional Areas of Practice: (2026), and Best Lawyers in America — Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships) (2026). Serands clients in Birmingham, AL and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About
- Ralph Smith is special counsel in the Corporate Practice Group
- He handles general corporate and business matters, international transactions, healthcare, higher education, and NCAA compliance
- Prior to joining Jones Walker, Ralph spent 25 years in private law practice in Washington, DC, and Birmingham before joining the University of Alabama System in 2004 as general counsel and member of the Chancellor's Senior Policy staff
- Ralph also served the university as a distinguished lecturer of law and special advisor for international trade and economic development
- Throughout his career, Ralph has been an officer, director, or trustee of numerous educational, charitable, and civic organizations
- Among his most lasting, widespread contributions, Ralph is actively involved in the Association of American Rhodes Scholars, for which he served as president from 2016–2020
- Ralph is a Rhodes Scholar himself and recipient of an MA in politics, philosophy, and economics from Oxford University
- From 2004–2018, Ralph was responsible for the Rhodes Scholarship selection process across the southeastern United States, including Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, and the American Caribbean
- He also served as chancellor of the Episcopal Diocese of Alabama from 2000 to 2003
- In addition to his law practice, Ralph serves as president and chief executive officer of The Ralph Smith Group (www.ralphsmithgroup.com), a global consulting company for business and higher education
- He has helped lead delegations to Asia, Europe, and South America regularly since 2011 to advance academic collaboration and economic development
- Ralph is also a co-founder of the Global Innovation Alliance, a consortium of business, academic, and government institutions in Asia, Europe, and North and South America to promote innovation and entrepreneurship
- He was appointed by Queen Elizabeth II in 2013 to the Order of St. John, an Order of Chivalry of the British Crown with historical roots in the 11th century Knights Hospitaller and Knights of Malta
Practice Areas Explained
Ralph H. Smith II's Areas of Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Ralph H. Smith II 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.
Ralph H. Smith II is one of 501,317 business attorneys indexed nationally. Browse business attorneys in Alabama →
Jurisdictional Context
Why local counsel matters in Alabama
Practicing law in Alabama. Legal matters in Alabama are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Birmingham are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate Alabama state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in Alabama 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 Alabama courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.
Looking for additional Alabama attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Birmingham or all attorneys in Alabama.
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