Christopher G. Smith

Christopher G. Smith is a partner at Smith Anderson in Raleigh, North Carolina, where he co-chairs the firm’s Litigation team. He is a trial and appellate lawyer who counsels clients on business strategy, risk management, and crisis response. His practice focuses on commercial litigation, complex business disputes, appellate matters, trade secrets, licensing issues, and mission-critical claims for companies facing high-stakes legal and operational challenges.

Smith earned his J.D., cum laude, from the University of Pennsylvania Law School in 1992. He also received his B.A., summa cum laude, from the University of Pennsylvania in 1987 and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. His academic background supports a practice built on careful legal analysis, practical business judgment, and the ability to evaluate disputes from both strategic and operational perspectives.

Smith has managed large, multi-party, and multi-jurisdiction disputes for business clients. His experience includes trying lawsuits to jury verdict, handling a commercial dispute involving six parallel lawsuits, representing insurance companies in a tax dispute with the State of North Carolina, and advising stakeholders on liability immunity legislation. He also assists healthcare technology companies and renewable energy businesses with strategic risk management projects.

Christopher G. Smith is recognized for his commercial litigation work and has been ranked by Chambers USA in the Litigation: General Commercial category. He serves on the Executive Committee of the North Carolina Chamber, the Board of the North Carolina Chamber Legal Institute, and the firm’s Management Committee. He is also a past president of the North Carolina Association of Defense Attorneys. Through his litigation practice and policy work, Smith helps clients address complex disputes with practical guidance and sound judgment.

Law Office Affiliations

• Co-Chair, Smith Anderson
• Member, North Carolina Chamber Legal Institute
• Member, North Carolina Association of Defense Attorneys
• Chair, National Defense Research Institute (2013-2019)
• Member, American Bar Association
• Member, Wake County Bar Association
• Member, North Carolina Bar Association

Licensed State

• North Carolina
• District of Columbia
• New York

Education

• University of Pennsylvania
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• University of Pennsylvania
  Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Awards & Badges