Atty. Richard E. Smith
Richard Smith, one of the founding partners of Christian & Small and a partner with its predecessor, Rives & Peterson, has been an integral member of the firm’s litigation group for his entire legal career. He served as the firm’s Managing Partner for five years.
'Bet The Company' Litigation & More Attorney · Serving Birmingham, AL · 41+ Years Experience
Profile Summary
About Richard E. Smith at a Glance
Richard E. Smith is a business, class action, construction, whistleblower, and product liability attorney based in Birmingham, Alabama, practicing at Christian & Small LLP. They have 41+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 1985. Admitted to practice in Alabama (1985). Educated at Samford University (J.D., 1985) and Samford University (BS, 1981). Recognitions include Best Lawyers in America — Arbitration (2026), Best Lawyers in America — Bet-the-Company Litigation (2026), and Best Lawyers in America — Commercial Litigation (2026). Serves clients in Birmingham, AL and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About Richard E. Smith
- Richard Smith, one of the founding partners of Christian & Small and a partner with its predecessor, Rives & Peterson, has been an integral member of the firm’s litigation group for his entire legal career
- He served as the firm’s Managing Partner for five years
- Richard’s practice focuses primarily on complex and corporate litigation for clients in the financial services, health care and construction industries, as well as corporate entities in other industries
- His extensive litigation experience includes having tried over 170 jury trials to a verdict in over 30 Alabama counties and all three Alabama federal district courts
- He obtained successful results for his clients in over 90% of those cases
- In recent years, Richard has arbitrated more than 30 cases before the American Arbitration Association, the National Association of Security Dealers, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority and other arbitration panels
- He has been appointed as an arbitrator, mediator, and receiver in several business litigation disputes
- Because of Richard’s vast trial experience combined with his knowledge of the insurance industry, he is frequently retained as an expert to consult and testify in insurance cases dealing with bad faith and coverage disputes
Practice Areas Explained
Richard E. Smith's Areas of Legal Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Richard E. Smith handles, with a practical overview of what that area of law involves and how it may apply to your situation in Birmingham.
Business & Corporate Law in Birmingham
Business attorneys advise founders and growing companies on entity formation, contracts, financing, M&A, and dispute resolution.
Richard E. Smith is one of 497,491 business attorneys indexed nationally. Browse business attorneys in Alabama →
Class Action in Birmingham
Richard E. Smith is one of 26,226 class action attorneys indexed nationally. Browse class action attorneys in Alabama →
Construction Law in Birmingham
Richard E. Smith is one of 40,302 construction attorneys indexed nationally. Browse construction attorneys in Alabama →
Whistleblower & Retaliation in Birmingham
Richard E. Smith is one of 3,523 whistleblower attorneys indexed nationally. Browse whistleblower attorneys in Alabama →
Product Liability in Birmingham
Richard E. Smith is one of 65,610 product liability attorneys indexed nationally. Browse product liability attorneys in Alabama →
Jurisdictional Context
Why Local Counsel Matters in Birmingham
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 venue, 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.
Birmingham Courts and Legal Process
Choosing a Birmingham-based attorney means your counsel already knows the local docketing timelines, preferred filing formats, and how individual judges typically rule on procedural motions — details that only come from practicing in this jurisdiction day after day. That local familiarity can translate to better strategy, faster filings, and fewer costly surprises.
Looking for additional Alabama attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Birmingham or all attorneys in Alabama.
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Professional Profile
Why Clients in Birmingham Choose Richard E. Smith
Selecting an attorney is one of the most consequential decisions you can make when a legal matter arises. Below are the core qualities that distinguish Richard E. Smith's practice in the field of business, class action, construction, whistleblower, and product liability.
Decade-Tested Legal Experience
Richard E. Smith brings 41+ years of hands-on legal practice — enough to have navigated the recurring fact patterns, procedural traps, and negotiation dynamics that shape case outcomes.
Broad Practice Area Coverage
Covering business, class action, and construction, Richard E. Smith can address the full spectrum of a client's legal needs without requiring referrals to separate specialists for each issue.
Local Presence in Birmingham
A Birmingham-based practice means Richard E. Smith attends hearings in the same courthouses, knows the local clerks, and understands the unwritten scheduling norms that affect every case filed here.
Case Types
Common Legal Issues Richard E. Smith Handles in Birmingham
Below is a representative sample of the types of matters Richard E. Smith has experience with under Alabama law. If your situation involves one of these case categories, this attorney may be well positioned to help you understand your options.
This list is illustrative, not exhaustive. Contact Richard E. Smith directly to discuss the specifics of your situation.
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How People Find Richard E. Smith Online
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Richard E. Smith's Practice Areas & Specializations
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