Beth M. Smith

Beth M. Smith is counsel in FordHarrison’s Hartford office and has more than 20 years of experience in labor and employment law and commercial litigation. She advises businesses of different sizes on workplace matters and represents employers before administrative agencies, arbitrators, and state and federal courts. Her work includes discrimination claims, contract disputes, non-compete matters, trade secret claims, internal investigations, employee discipline, layoffs, leave issues, paid sick leave, workers’ compensation, and wage and hour law.

Smith earned her J.D., with honors, from the University of Connecticut School of Law in 1998 and her M.B.A. from the University of Connecticut School of Business in 1998. She earned her B.S. from Mississippi State University in 1982. Her professional background also includes in-house legal roles as Associate General Counsel for Labor & Employment for a large health system and as General Counsel for a mid-sized homecare agency, where she managed litigation and outside counsel.

Smith has represented employers in litigation involving trade secrets, disability discrimination, race discrimination, and other employment claims. Her current profile notes successful summary judgment outcomes for employers in financial services, utilities, and municipal settings, as well as a permanent injunction requiring the return of misappropriated data. She also advises employers on WARN Act compliance, wage and hour questions, employment agreements, collective bargaining agreements, workplace policies, investigations, discipline, leaves, and other issues arising throughout the employment relationship.

Beth M. Smith is admitted to several federal courts, including the US Supreme Court, the US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, and federal district courts in Connecticut and New York. Her client base includes municipalities, nonprofits, and companies in healthcare, hospitality, retail, and financial services. Her current FordHarrison profile lists Employment Law, Healthcare, Litigation, Long Term Care, Noncompete, Trade Secrets & Business Litigation, and Wage/Hour among her services.

Law Office Affiliations

• Attorney, FordHarrison LLP
• Standing Committee on Professionalism, Connecticut Bar Association
• Member, American Bar Association

Licensed State

• Connecticut

Education

• University of Connecticut School of Law
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• University of Connecticut School of Business
  Master of Business Administration (MBA)
• Mississippi State University
  Bachelor of Science (BS)

Awards & Badges