Atty. Timothy P. Smith
Mr. Smith has practiced as a trial attorney since graduating Notre Dame Law School in 1992.
Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs Attorney · Serving Traverse City, MI
Profile Summary
About Timothy P. Smith at a Glance
Timothy P. Smith is a personal injury attorney based in Traverse City, Michigan, practicing at Smith & Johnson PC. Admitted to practice in Michigan, P48259. Educated at University of Notre Dame (JD, 1992). Recognitions include Lawyer of the Year — Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs (Northern Michigan) (2026), Best Lawyers in America — Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs (2026), and Best Lawyers in America — Additional Areas of Practice: (2026). Serves clients in Traverse City, MI and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About Timothy P. Smith
- Mr. Smith has practiced as a trial attorney since graduating Notre Dame Law School in 1992
- He has litigated cases across the country including cases from Ventura County, California to Middlesex County, New Jersey
- He practices in both State and Federal courts.In 2017, he began representing Michigan cities and counties in what has shaped up to be one of the largest pieces of litigation ever in the history of our federal court system
- The majority of Northern Michigan and Upper Peninsula counties retained Mr. Smith and his team to represent their interests in MDL No. 2804, In RE: National Prescription Opioid Litigation currently pending in the Federal Court for the Northern District of Ohio
- In the fall of 2020 he filed 2 of the first Paragard IUD cases in Michigan
- Those cases are now transferred, along with a recently filed third case, to MDL No. 2974 in the Northern District of Georgia as part of In RE: Paragard IUD Products Liability Litigation.In addition to complex Federal Court MDLs, he successfully represents individuals in a broad array of civil cases
- In 1998, in Oscoda County, he obtained the highest plaintiff’s verdict in the history of that county in an auto accident case
- He has a proven track record not only in injury cases, but also divorce, criminal and civil litigation
- As a commercial litigator, he has collected over 5.5 million dollars since 2017 for a single Credit Union client in south central Michigan.In 2002, at 34 years of age, he was one of the youngest attorneys in the state to receive an AV-rating, the highest rating, from Martindale-Hubbell
- In 2016, 2018 and 2020, Best Lawyers listed Mr. Smith as the Plaintiff’s Lawyer of the Year for Northern Michigan
- Both Best Lawyers and Martindale-Hubbell rely on peer review from other attorneys and local judges as to these rankings, which represent the highest level of professional excellence in the field
- Mr. Smith has been identified as one of the Top 100 trial attorneys in the State of Michigan by the National Trial Lawyers since 2019.He is a frequent speaker in the area of litigation strategies and techniques and has annually moderated the Michigan Trial Lawyers Winter Seminar since 2000
- In 2006, he was named to the 40 under 40 list by the Grand Traverse Business News and was named to the “A-List” of attorneys in Northern Michigan by Traverse the Magazine.Mr
- Smith has sat on the Board of Directors for the Father Fred Foundation, the Board of Trustees of the Great Lakes Children Museum, the Board of Directors for the Brain Injury Association of Michigan, and the Executive Board of the Michigan Association for Justice, a/k/a – Michigan Trial Lawyers Association
- He currently sits as a director on the Traverse City Area Chamber of Commerce Board.Mr
- Smith was a licensed fly fishing guide from 1999 to 2009, spent many evenings coaching kids’ basketball, softball and volleyball, enjoys hunting and fishing throughout Northern Michigan and currently enjoys being an empty nester with his wife now that his three children have headed off to college
Practice Areas Explained
Timothy P. Smith's Areas of Legal Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Timothy P. Smith handles, with a practical overview of what that area of law involves and how it may apply to your situation in Traverse City.
Personal Injury in Traverse City
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.
Timothy P. Smith is one of 262,557 personal injury attorneys indexed nationally. Browse personal injury attorneys in Michigan →
Jurisdictional Context
Why Local Counsel Matters in Traverse City
Practicing law in Michigan. Legal matters in Michigan are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Traverse City are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate Michigan state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in Michigan 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 Michigan courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.
Traverse City Courts and Legal Process
Choosing a Traverse City-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 Michigan attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Traverse City or all attorneys in Michigan.
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Professional Profile
Why Clients in Traverse City Choose Timothy P. 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 Timothy P. Smith's practice in the field of personal injury.
Focused Personal Injury Practice
Concentrating on personal injury means Timothy P. Smith's knowledge of relevant statutes, case law, and procedural nuances stays current — unlike generalist practices that spread attention across unrelated fields.
Local Presence in Traverse City
A Traverse City-based practice means Timothy P. 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 Timothy P. Smith Handles in Traverse City
Below is a representative sample of the types of matters Timothy P. Smith has experience with under Michigan 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 Timothy P. Smith directly to discuss the specifics of your situation.
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How People Find Timothy P. Smith Online
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Timothy P. Smith's Practice Areas & Specializations
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