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Overview
Roy has been practicing law for over 30 years and is an experienced litigator. He represents clients in various matters, including personal injury defense, products liability, governmental liability, professional liability, and transportation. In 2019, Roy was inducted into the American Board of Trial Advocates (“ABOTA”). Membership to ABOTA is by invitation only. ABOTA is comprised of attorneys who exhibit significant trial experience, professionalism, and civility.
Best Lawyers in America® has also recognized Roy in the practice areas of insurance, personal injury defense, products liability, and professional malpractice law. He has been included in Mid-South Super Lawyers since 2014. Roy is a member of the Steering Committee of ALFA International’s Products Liability practice group. He also serves as Chair of the firm’s Products Liability practice group.
Roy is proactive in his approach to cases. He makes an early analysis of liability and damages. He then works with the client to determine the best and most cost-effective strategy toward a favorable resolution– an appropriate dismissal motion or trial. Roy is the past President of Daniel Coker (2012 – 2019).
Professional Affiliations
- ALFA International
- Products Liability Practice Group Steering Committee
- American Bar Association
- American Board of Trial Advocates
- Association of Transport Law, Tort and Insurance Practice Committee
- Bar Association of the Fifth Federal Circuit
- Claims & Litigation Management Alliance (CLM)
- Defense Research Institute
- Lawyers for Civil Justice, since 2011
- Mississippi Bar Association
- Mississippi Defense Lawyers Association, Past Member Board of Directors
Honors & Awards
- Best Lawyers in America®, 2014 – Present
- Insurance Law
- Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
- Product Liability Litigation – Defendants
- Professional Malpractice Law – Defendants
- Mid-South Super Lawyers – 2014 – 2021
- Past President, Daniel Coker Horton & Bell, P.A, 2012 – 2019
- Lawyer of the Year – Insurance Law, Best Lawyers® 2018, Jackson, MS
- Lawyer of the Year – Professional Malpractice Law, Best Lawyers® 2017, 2019, 2021, 2023 Jackson, MS
- Fellow, Mississippi Bar Foundation
- Mississippi Business Journal, Leadership in Law – Top Ten Recipient, 2014
- Martindale-Hubbell, AV Preeminent® Rated
- Top Rated Lawyer, Personal Injury Defense
Honors & Awards Announcements
Publications
- Life After Learmonth: The Current Case for and Against the Non-Economic Damages Cap, Presented at The Mississippi Bar Association’s Mississippi Summer School for Lawyers, Destin, Florida, July 8, 2013 (PDF)
- Change is Afoot in a State that Clings to its Traditions, The National Law Journal, The Southern Report, April 29, 2013 (PDF)
Related News
- 2022 Super Lawyers® Names 7 Daniel Coker Lawyers For Their Accomplishments
- Roy A. Smith, Jr. Named 2023 Best Lawyers® “Lawyer of the Year”
- 2023 Best Lawyers Released
Notable Cases
- Summary Judgment Obtained in Declaratory Judgment Action
- Jury Verdict for Defendant in Slip and Fall Action
- Defense Jury Verdict
- Summary Judgment for Employer in ERISA Case
Reported Cases
- Richardson v. Pearl River Valley Opportunity, Inc., 2016 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 10121 (S.D. Miss. Jan. 28, 2016); (Reh’g Denied, 2016 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 32406 (S.D. Miss. Mar. 14, 2016)).
- Taylor v. Otis Elevator Co., 2012 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 103377 (S.D. Miss. July 25, 2012)
- Aultman v. Lawrence County, 95 So. 3d 702 (Miss. Ct. App. 2012)
- Q.A. v. Pearl Pub. Sch. Dist., 87 So. 3d 1073 (Miss. Ct. App. 2011)
Seminars & Speaking Engagements
