Eric Smith is a champion for Veterans’ rights. Driving full force into every case, Eric commands impressive victories in the courtroom through fierce, razor-sharp legal defense. A decorated Captain in the Army Reserve and lifelong social advocate, his strong convictions drive him to relentlessly fight for—and win—the disability benefits his fellow Veterans have been unfairly denied. Eric combines compassion with strategic toughness to orchestrate swift victories on behalf of Veterans who may have been waiting years for justice.
As a firsthand witness to the hardships disabled Veterans undergo, Eric is inspired by seeing his clients’ lives improve after each victory. His contagious optimism fuels his decisive wins, providing timely, much-needed relief for Veterans exhausted from fighting the VA alone. Eric views his work as an attorney as service to his countrymen, protecting our nation’s heroes and acting as their fierce advocate when they need a defender.
Eric is a people-person: His strong sense of justice drives him to better the world through service to others. His mission to serve has fueled his success in law as early as high school, where he led mock trails and eventually rose to the rank Attorney General for Texas YMCA Youth and Government—an organization with over 5,000 youth members. His natural love for people and their stories led him to major in film production at Chapman College, but his deployment in the Army Reserve brought him to his ultimate calling for helping other Veterans.
Eric’s tough yet charitable nature fortifies his impressive legal career: He received his Juris Doctorate from The George Washington University Law School with honors, graduating with the prestigious Pro Bono Service Award for his time spent volunteering legal services for the underprivileged. Inspired by the improvement he saw in their lives, he later advanced to the VA Office of General Counsel as an appellate attorney, arguing before the court of appeals for Veterans claims. He now enjoys the chance to inspire disabled Veterans daily by winning them the compensation they’re due.
Eric credits his success to his courtroom to his faith. He lives by the Biblical phrase, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, and the conviction of things not seen.” By approaching each case with an unshakable belief he can win, he sets the stage for a decisive victory. According to Eric, “Belief in justice is required to create a just world.”
Eric is always looking for ways make the world around him a better place, even outside of the courtroom.
As a Captain in the U.S. Army Reserve, Eric has conducted missions both overseas in Africa and on our own soil. For his service, he’s been honored with the Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Award, and Army Commendation Medal.
Eric is a public advocate for altruistic organ donation and has donated his own kidney to an unknown person in need, hoping to decrease the often-deadly wait-times that plague transplant patients.
He’s not all business though—his good sense of humor and love of adventure helps him make friends wherever he goes. When not defending Veterans in the courtroom or civilians overseas, Eric can be found exploring the outdoors (often with a group of friends)—whether that’s hiking in the Smokey Mountains, wetting his feet in paddleboarding, or picnicking under the cherry blossoms in Washington, DC, where he lives. He can often be spotted volunteering for his local DC community, where he’s served formally as an elected advisory neighborhood commissioner.
As much as he’s always active, Eric still enjoys quiet days oil painting and entertaining his spoiled lapdog, Ollie—an adorable hound pointer mix—or nurturing his small forest of houseplants. He travels everywhere with his loving husband, Collin, including date nights in Paris and Hawaii, and catering delicious dinners together for family and friends.
Whether in the courtroom or at home, Eric’s driven to make a positive difference in the lives of others—for his community, for his friends, and for the deserving Veterans he serves.
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