Atty. Tefft Weldon Smith

Atty. Tefft Weldon Smith

Tefft Weldon Smith is a lawyer practicing criminal defense, antitrust & competition, appellate litigation and 7 other areas of law. Tefft received a B.A. degree from Brown University in 1968, and has been licensed for 55 years.

Washington Washington 55 yrs experience 55 year
Call (571) 899-6385 Book Appointment

Antitrust & Competition & More Attorney · Serving Washington, DC · 55+ Years Experience

Profile Summary

About Tefft Weldon Smith at a Glance

Tefft Weldon Smith is an Of Counsel based in Washington, District of Columbia, practicing at Kirkland & Ellis LLP. They have 55+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 1971. Their practice focuses on criminal defense, business, m&a, litigation, and appellate. Admitted to practice in Illinois (1971) and District of Columbia U.S. Supreme Court U.S. Court of Appeals, District of Columbia Circuit U.S. Cou (1998). Educated at University of Chicago Law School (J.D., 1971) and Brown University (B.A., 1968). Recognitions include AV Preeminent. Serves clients in Washington, DC and the surrounding metropolitan area.

Verified attorney profile · Updated October 2026

About Tefft Weldon Smith

  • Tefft Weldon Smith is a lawyer practicing criminal defense, antitrust & competition, appellate litigation and 7 other areas of law
  • Tefft received a B.A. degree from Brown University in 1968, and has been licensed for 55 years
  • Tefft practices at Kirkland & Ellis LLP in Washington, DC and 1 other location

Practice Areas Explained

Tefft Weldon Smith's Areas of Legal Practice

Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Tefft Weldon Smith handles, with a practical overview of what that area of law involves and how it may apply to your situation in Washington.

Criminal Defense in Washington

A criminal defense attorney protects your rights from arrest through trial. Find experienced lawyers handling DUI, drug, federal, theft, and violent-crime charges.

Tefft Weldon Smith is one of 212,605 criminal defense attorneys indexed nationally. Browse criminal defense attorneys in District of Columbia →

Business & Corporate Law in Washington

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

Tefft Weldon Smith is one of 497,491 business attorneys indexed nationally. Browse business attorneys in District of Columbia →

Mergers & Acquisitions in Washington

Tefft Weldon Smith is one of 49,430 m&a attorneys indexed nationally. Browse m&a attorneys in District of Columbia →

Civil Litigation in Washington

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

Tefft Weldon Smith is one of 450,751 litigation attorneys indexed nationally. Browse litigation attorneys in District of Columbia →

Appellate Practice in Washington

Appellate attorneys for civil and criminal appeals at state and federal court.

Tefft Weldon Smith is one of 85,572 appellate attorneys indexed nationally. Browse appellate attorneys in District of Columbia →

Jurisdictional Context

Why Local Counsel Matters in Washington

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

Washington Courts and Legal Process

Choosing a Washington-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 District of Columbia attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Washington or all attorneys in District of Columbia.

Frequently Asked

Common Questions About Tefft Weldon Smith

Where is Tefft Weldon Smith's law office located?
Tefft Weldon Smith's law practice is located in Washington, District of Columbia. The firm is Kirkland & Ellis LLP. You can contact the office directly through this profile page.
What practice areas does Tefft Weldon Smith handle?
Tefft Weldon Smith focuses on criminal defense, business, m&a, litigation, appellate. Each practice area listed reflects experience handling cases of that type in District of Columbia.
How long has Tefft Weldon Smith practiced law?
Tefft Weldon Smith has 55+ years of legal experience and has been licensed since 1971.
Where did Tefft Weldon Smith go to law school?
Tefft Weldon Smith earned their education at (J.D., 1971); (B.A., 1968).
How can I contact Tefft Weldon Smith for a consultation?
You can contact Tefft Weldon 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 Tefft Weldon Smith received?
Tefft Weldon Smith's notable recognition includes: AV Preeminent.

Professional Profile

Why Clients in Washington Choose Tefft Weldon 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 Tefft Weldon Smith's practice in the field of criminal defense, business, m&a, litigation, and appellate.

Decade-Tested Legal Experience

Tefft Weldon Smith brings 55+ years of hands-on legal practice — enough to have navigated the recurring fact patterns, procedural traps, and negotiation dynamics that shape case outcomes.

Multi-State Bar Admission

Licensed in Illinois and District of Columbia U.S. Supreme Court U.S. Court of Appeals, District of Columbia Circuit U.S. Cou, Tefft Weldon Smith can represent clients in cases that span state lines or require counsel in multiple jurisdictions.

Broad Practice Area Coverage

Covering criminal defense, business, and m&a, Tefft Weldon Smith can address the full spectrum of a client's legal needs without requiring referrals to separate specialists for each issue.

Local Presence in Washington

A Washington-based practice means Tefft Weldon 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 Tefft Weldon Smith Handles in Washington

Below is a representative sample of the types of matters Tefft Weldon Smith has experience with under District of Columbia law. If your situation involves one of these case categories, this attorney may be well positioned to help you understand your options.

Business formation and structure
Business
Contract drafting and review
Business
Partnership disputes
Business
Merger and acquisition support
Business

This list is illustrative, not exhaustive. Contact Tefft Weldon Smith directly to discuss the specifics of your situation.

Search Reference

How People Find Tefft Weldon Smith Online

Prospective clients searching for legal help in Washington commonly use a combination of the attorney's name and their specific legal need. The following search terms frequently lead people to this profile and to attorneys like Tefft Weldon Smith.

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If any of the above matches what you searched for, you've found the right profile. Use the contact options at the top of this page to get in touch with Tefft Weldon Smith directly.

Education & Law School Background

J.D.
University of Chicago Law School
- 1971
B.A.
Brown University
- 1968

Awards & Professional Honors

AV Preeminent

Bar Admissions & Licensed Jurisdictions

Illinois
Admitted: 1971
District of Columbia U.S. Supreme Court U.S. Court of Appeals, District of Columbia Circuit U.S. Cou
Admitted: 1998

Client Reviews & Ratings — Tefft Weldon Smith

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