Amy M. Smith

Amy M. Smith is an appellate and commercial litigation lawyer with more than 35 years of experience in state and federal courts. She leads an appellate practice and handles business, energy, first-party insurance, class action, and labor and employment disputes. Her work includes complex trial and appellate matters involving constitutional, statutory, jurisdictional, and procedural questions. She represents clients across West Virginia, Ohio, and other jurisdictions where she is admitted.

Amy earned her J.D. from Indiana University Maurer School of Law and her B.S. in Accounting from Butler University. She graduated magna cum laude from law school and was elected to the Order of the Coif. Her undergraduate accounting degree was earned with high honors and cum laude distinction. Her academic background supports detailed analysis of business, insurance, energy, and appellate matters that require close attention to financial records, legal precedent, and complex procedural issues.

Amy has appeared as counsel of record in numerous state and federal appeals involving issues of first impression. Her litigation experience includes class actions and other complex cases concerning energy, first-party insurance, jail, labor and employment, and general civil disputes. Earlier in her career, she clerked for Judge Leroy J. Contie Jr. of the US Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. She brings that appellate perspective to briefing, motion practice, and litigation strategy.

Amy M. Smith has been recognized by The Best Lawyers in America for Appellate Practice since 2018 and Commercial Litigation since 2020. She is a Fellow of the West Virginia Bar Foundation and belongs to several national and state bar organizations. Her professional involvement includes service on the Board of Editors of the Appellate Practice Journal and participation in American Bar Association energy and litigation groups. She also writes and speaks on appellate procedure, civil litigation, and emerging legal issues.

Law Office Affiliations

• Member, Steptoe & Johnson PLLC
• Member, American Bar Association
• Fellow, West Virginia Bar Foundation
• Member, Federal Bar Association
• Member, Harrison County Bar Association
• Member, West Virginia Bar Association

Licensed State

• West Virginia
• Ohio
• District of Columbia

Education

• Indiana University Maurer School of Law
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• Butler University
  Bachelor of Science (BS)

Awards & Badges