Laura Smith leads the firm's Medical Malpractice Group and serves as a member of its Management Committee.  Her particular emphasis is on defending catastrophic injury cases, and her clients benefit from her experience in defending these cases as lead counsel in more than 80 jury trials for more than 30 years.  Because of her track record, she is often called upon to serve as regional counsel in major litigation.

Laura's skill has been publicly noticed by clients and colleagues.  She has been listed in The Best Lawyers in America for personal injury litigation since 1991.  She is similarly listed in Mid-South Super Lawyers.  She is ranked in the top band by Chambers and Partners USA:  America's Leading Lawyers for Business.  Well known for the strength of its research on listed lawyers and firms, Chambers concluded, "Laura Smith is an undisputed leader in the area of medical malpractice defense work."

• University of Arkansas School of Law, J.D., With Honors, 1981, Member, Arkansas Law Review, Member, University of Arkansas Supreme Court, Member, Honor Counsel, Leflar Law Center
• Southern Methodist University, B.S., 1977, SMU Student Foundation, Student Advisory Council, President, Alpha Delta Pi Sorority

• Best Lawyers in America for Personal Injury Litigation, 1991— Present
• Arkansas Times, Best Lawyers—Medical Malpractice Defense
• Selected by attorney peers for inclusion in Mid-South Super Lawyers, since 2006
• Regional Counsel for Baby Brain Damage Cases for St. Paul Fire & Marine Insurance Company
• International Symposia Advisory Board for "The Experts Analyze Brain Damaged Baby Cases" (UC Davis Center for Perinatal Medicine and Law) (1999—2004)
• Ranked in the top band in Chambers and Partners USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business, 2005—Present
• Outstanding Defense Attorney by the Arkansas Association of Defense Counsel, 2008

• American Board of Trial Advocates, Advocate
• Arkansas Bar Foundation, Fellow and Sustaining Member; Board of Directors, 2004 - 2009, 2011—present (currently Secretary/Treasurer)
• Pulaski Bar Association, 1981— Present; President, 2001, 2002
• American Inns of Court, Overton Inn; President 1997—1998
• Arkansas Association of Defense Counsel, 1981— Present
• Federation of Insurance & Corporate Counsel, 1991— Present
• Ouachita Girl Scout Council, Board of Directors, 1993—1997; Chairman of Fund Development 1995-1996; Girl Scout Troop Leader
• Leadership Greater Little Rock, Class XIX Graduate
• VOCALS (Volunteers Organization for Central Arkansas), pro bono legal work, Board of Directions 1989—1997, President 1996—1997
• Our Way, Inc., Board of Directors, 1981—1986, President 1985

• Alpha Delta Pi
• Delta Theta Phi

• Arkansas, 1981
• United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
• United States District Courts for the Eastern and Western Districts of Arkansas