J. Mitchell Smith

Principal

Overview

J. Mitchell Smith has been a principal with Germer since January 2002. Mitch graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1988 from The University of Texas at Austin. He received a Juris Doctor from Baylor University School of Law in 1991.

Practice Areas

Appellate LawCivil LitigationCommercial LitigationConstruction LawIntellectual Property LawMaritime LawPersonal Injury DefensePremises LiabilityProducts LiabilityRailroad, FELA, and TransportationTortsTransportation and Trucking Litigation

Professional Background

  • Lynch, Chappell & Alsup, P.C. (1991-1994)
  • Wells, Peyton, Greenberg, Hunt & Crawford, L.L.P. (1994-2001)
  • Germer PLLC (2001-Present)

Bar Admissions

  • State Bar of Texas – 1991
  • Admitted to practice before the following courts:
    • Texas State Courts
    • The United States Supreme Court
    • United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
    • United States District Court for the Southern, Eastern and Western Districts of Texas

Education

  • Baylor University School of Law
    • Juris Doctor – 1991
  • The University of Texas at Austin
    • Bachelor of Arts – 1988

Recognitions and Honors

  • Texas Super Lawyer, a Thompson Reuters publication (2005-2025)

Professional Memberships and Affiliations

  • American Board of Trial Advocates (Houston Chapter)
  • International Association of Defense Counsel
    • Chair, Transportation Committee: 2019-2021
    • Vice Chair, Insurance/ReInsurance Committee: 2012-Present
  • National Association of Railroad Trial Counsel
    • Executive Committee: 2022-Present
    • Treasurer: 2024-Present
    • Vice President – Western Region: 2023-2024
  • Texas Association of Defense Counsel
    • East Texas Regional Vice President: 2022-Present
  • State Bar of Texas
  • Bar Association of the Fifth Federal Circuit
  • Texas Bar Foundation
    • Fellow
  • Jefferson County Bar Association
    • President: 2020-2021
    • Director: 2006-2008; 2013-2014
  • Houston Bar Association
  • Texas Bar Journal
    • Board of Editors: 2008-2014
  • Jefferson County Bar Journal
    • Editor: 2006-2017

Representative Experience

  • Regional Counsel for The Kansas City Southern Railway Company (CPKC)
  • BNSF Railway Company
  • Hallcon Corporation
  • Pabtex, Inc.
  • Linde AG
  • Linde Engineering North America, Inc.

Civic Involvement

  • Board Member, The Art Museum of Southeast Texas: 2008-2022; President, 2015
  • Former Board Member, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (Houston Chapter): 2018-2023
  • Board Member, McFaddin-Ward House: 2022-Present
  • Active Volunteer, Jefferson County Bar Association
  • Volunteer, Jefferson County Pro Bono Program
  • Catholic Charities of Southeast Texas Board of Directors: 2025-Present

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