austinbar.org JULY/AUGUST 2019 | VOLUME 28, NUMBER 6
Introducing Austin Bar President—D. Todd Smith
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n July 1, 2019, D. Todd Smith officially took over the reins of the Austin Bar Association as he began his term as president. Joining him on the executive committee for the 201920 bar year is Kennon Wooten, president-elect; David Courreges, secretary; Amanda Arriaga, treasurer; Adam Schramek, past-president; Sandy Bayne, AYLA president; and Jorge Padilla, AYLA past-president. Smith, a civil appellate lawyer with the Smith Law Group, is a fifth-generation Texan originally from Fort Worth. His parents moved to rural Johnson County when he was in elementary school, and he grew up in the Crowley area. He returned to Fort Worth for college and earned his bachelor’s degree at TCU. From there, he headed out to West Texas, where he received a master’s degree in public administration from Texas Tech University, and then south to San Antonio, where he earned his J.D. from St. Mary’s University School of Law. He met his wife, Julie, when they were undergrads at TCU. Married 22 years, they have two sons, Landon (17) and Walker (14). Landon is a senior at Hyde Park High School, and Walker is a freshman at Westlake High School. Smith agreed to be interviewed so the members of the Austin Bar
could learn more about their new president and his plans for the organization in the coming year. AUSTIN BAR: Why did you want to become a lawyer? SMITH: I am the only lawyer in my family. I first thought about a legal career after my high school speech teacher recruited me and some other students to represent Crowley High in University Interscholastic League speech and debate competitions. When I was a senior, I wound up making the state tournament in standard debate. By that point, I could argue both sides of a controversial issue fairly well. Law seemed like a natural fit. Another major influence was my father’s reverence for the judicial branch. Dad spent his career working in the field of federal probation, and he valued the relationships he developed with the judges he worked for. He spoke well of them and was honored that they trusted and relied on his recommendations. He made sure I had the opportunity to meet the judges and ask them questions when I first started thinking about law school. He later tried to talk me out of going—thinking he could steer me toward a career in government like he’d had—but by then, my mind was made up. AUSTIN BAR: What was your first job out of law school?
(from left) Austin Bar President D. Todd Smith with his wife, Julie; and sons, Walker, and Landon.
SMITH: I was privileged to complete a two-year clerkship with Texas Supreme Court Justice Raul A. Gonzalez. That job sparked my interest in appellate work and helped me appreciate the skill set needed to become a successful appellate lawyer. It also brought me to Austin! AUSTIN BAR: What has been your career path from then until now? SMITH: After finishing my clerkship, I joined Fulbright & Jaworski, where I had the opportunity to practice with, and learn from, some of the finest appellate lawyers in Texas. After six years in the Dallas office, I transferred to Austin and stayed three more years before launching my own firm in 2006. Since then, I’ve focused my practice on civil appeals and consulting in matters before the Texas Supreme Court, the Third Court of Appeals, and other courts in and around Central Texas.
AUSTIN BAR: How long have you been involved with the Austin Bar? SMITH: I joined the Austin Bar after moving back in 2003 and really got involved when I went out on my own in 2006. I officed on the twelfth floor at 816 Congress Ave., so an abundance of CLE, networking, and service opportunities were available simply by riding the elevator down five floors. I soon became active in sections and started volunteering for committee work. I ran for director after chairing the Solo/Small Firm and Civil Appellate Sections and put in to become an officer when the time felt right. Every stage has been thoroughly enjoyable. AUSTIN BAR: Why would you encourage someone to get involved? SMITH: Most lawyers practice solo or in small-firm settings. In continued on page 5
