Practice Areas
Admissions
- Mississippi
- United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
- United States District Court for the Northern District of Mississippi
- United States District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi
- United States Supreme Court
- All Mississippi State Courts
Education
B.A., University of Mississippi, 1977
J.D., University of Mississippi School of Law, 1982
- Law School Student Body President
Roy A. Smith, Jr. serves as Chair of the Products Liability practice group. He is located in the Jackson office. Roy is the past President of Daniel Coker Horton & Bell, P.A. (2012 - 2019). 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.
Roy has also been named to Best Lawyers in America in four practice areas – insurance, personal injury litigation - defendants, products liability litigation – defendants, and professional malpractice law- defendants. In 2017, 2018, and 2019, he was selected as Lawyer of the Year in professional malpractice law-defendants and in 2018 selected Lawyer of the Year in Insurance Law. He has been included in Mid-South Super Lawyers since 2014. Roy is also a Top Rated Lawyer in Personal Injury Defense by Martindale Hubbell. He became a member of Lawyers for Civil Justice in 2011. He also served a term on the Board of Directors of the Mississippi Defense Lawyers Association.
Roy is proactive in his approach to cases from the minute a file is referred. He makes an early analysis as to liability and damages and then works with the client to determine the best and most cost-effective strategy toward a favorable resolution, appropriate dismissal motion or trial of the case.
Professional Affiliations
ALFA International
American Bar Association
American Board of Trial Advocates
Association of Transport Law, Tort and Insurance Practice Committee
Claims & Litigation Management Alliance (CLM)
Defense Research Institute
The Mississippi Bar Association
Mississippi Defense Lawyers Association, Past Member Board of Directors
Bar Association of the Fifth Federal Circuit
Honors & Awards
2014 Mississippi Business Journal, Leadership in Law - Top Ten Recipient
Best Lawyers in America®
- Insurance Law
- Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants
- Product Liability Litigation - Defendants
- Professional Malpractice Law - Defendants
Best Lawyer® 2018, Jackson, MS Lawyer of the Year - Insurance Law
Best Lawyer® 2017, 2019, and 2020, Jackson, MS Lawyer of the Year - Professional Malpractice Law
Martindale-Hubbell, AV Preeminent® Rated
Mid-South Super Lawyers - 2014 - 2020
Top Rated Lawyer, Personal Injury Defense
Past President, Daniel Coker Horton & Bell, P.A. - 2012 - 2019
Recognitions
- Seventeen Daniel Coker Horton & Bell, P.A., Attorneys Named 2015 Best Lawyers and Two Named Lawyer of the Year
- 2014 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Announced
- Roy A. Smith, Jr., Named 2014 Mississippi Business Journal "Top Ten" Leadership in Law Recipient
- Eighteen Daniel Coker Horton & Bell Attorneys Recognized As 2016 Best Lawyers In America®.
- 2015 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Announced
- Best Lawyers Named Eighteen Daniel Coker Horton & Bell to Best Lawyers for 2018
- 2016 Mid-South Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Announced
- Best Lawyers names three "Lawyers of the Year" 2018
- 2019 Daniel Coker Horton & Bell Best Lawyers in America Announced
- 2017 DCHB Mid-South Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Announced
- 19 Daniel Coker Horton & Bell, P.A. lawyers named to 2020 Best Lawyers®
News
- August 20, 2020
- April 2020
- August 15, 2019
- August 2018
- November 2017
- August 15, 2017
- August 15, 2017
- November 2016
- August 15, 2016
- August 17, 2015
- December 11, 2014
- November 14, 2014
- August 18, 2014
- September 2013
- April 29, 2013
- June 2012
- Mississippi Business Journal, February 9, 2012
- January 1, 2012
Publications
Seminars & Speaking Engagements
Recent Victories
- June 2017
- June 2017
- January 2017
- March 2016
- February 2016
- July 2015
- July 2013
- March 2013
- July 2012
- July 2012
- May 2012
- July 2011
- March 2011
- March 2011
- February 2011
- December 2010
- October 2010
- September 2010
Reported Cases
- 2016
- 1990