Mr. Smith is the chairman emeritus of Williams Mullen. He served as CEO of the firm from February 1, 1984 through January 31, 2010. Under Mr. Smith’s leadership, Williams Mullen grew from 25 lawyers in Richmond, Virginia, to over 300 in 12 offices in Virginia, North Carolina, Washington, D.C. and London. Gross revenues increased from approximately $4.5 million to $150 million. During his tenure as CEO, Mr. Smith initiated six mergers with law firms ranging in size from 20 to 55 lawyers.

Mr. Smith is the chairman emeritus of Williams Mullen. He served as CEO of the firm from February 1, 1984 through January 31, 2010. Under Mr. Smith’s leadership, Williams Mullen grew from 25 lawyers in Richmond, Virginia, to over 300 in 12 offices in Virginia, North Carolina, Washington, D.C. and London. Gross revenues increased from approximately $4.5 million to $150 million. During his tenure as CEO, Mr. Smith initiated six mergers with law firms ranging in size from 20 to 55 lawyers.

His practice includes representing and advising business clients in corporate and business matters, including succession planning and mergers and acquisitions. He has specific experience in closely-held businesses, insurance brokers, and family businesses. His merger and acquisition experience ranges from small family businesses to major transactions involving publicly-traded companies. Mr. Smith also consults with law firms on business-related issues.

A committed community leader, Mr. Smith has received numerous awards for his dedication to community service. He is a former member of the board of trustees of the Virginia Foundation for Independent Colleges and a current member of the board of directors of the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame. He is also a member of the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia, the Virginia Athletics Foundation, and the Richmond Economic Development Authority (EDA). Mr. Smith is the former chair of the Virginia chapter of the Society of International Business Fellows.

The Richmond Bar Association awarded Mr. Smith the Hill-Tucker Public Service Award in 2005. In 2003, Mr. Smith received the Patrick Henry Public Service Award from the Wilson Center for Leadership in the Public Interest at Hampden-Sydney College. He is a member of The Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club Hall of Fame and is a recipient of the Richmond Touchdown Club’s Micheli Award for his outstanding contribution to Richmond youth. In 2010, he was recognized as a Leader in the Law by Virginia Lawyers Weekly.

Mr. Smith is a past chairman of the Greater Richmond United Way Campaign and a past chairman of its “de Tocqueville” effort. Mr. Smith served as the chair of the 2002 Annual Dinner for the Multiple Sclerosis Society and served as co-chair of the 2004 CCA American Cancer Society Golf Tournament. He is a former Virginia State chairman for the United States Olympic Committee, and a former president of TheatreVirginia. Mr. Smith also serves on several corporate boards including, the Mutual Assurance Society of Virginia.

He is listed in The Best Lawyers in America and in Virginia Business magazine’s list of “Legal Elite.” Mr. Smith has been recognized as a leading corporate attorney by Chamber’s USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business. In addition, Mr. Smith has been named a “Super Lawyer” for Business/Corporate by Virginia Super Lawyers magazine.  In addition, Martindale Hubbell has ranked Mr. Smith an AV attorney, its highest rating available.  He is a past president of the Richmond Bar Association and a member of the American Bar Association, the Virginia Bar Association and the Virginia State Bar, where he is a member of the Taxation and Estate Planning and Law Firm Administration Sections. He is a fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel and the Virginia Law Foundation.

Mr. Smith joined Williams Mullen upon his 1968 graduation from the University of Virginia School of Law. He graduated from Hampden-Sydney College in 1965 and served as a trustee of the institution and as vice-chairman of its board of trustees.