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Stephen J. Smith, Sr.
Counsel
Columbus, OH
Counsel
Columbus, OH
Steve leads his clients through the intricacies of governmental services successfully because he knows how the public processes work. His practice covers all areas of public law including, but not limited to, government litigation, land acquisition, government contracting, annexation, zoning, economic development and the representation of numerous municipalities and school districts throughout the state of Ohio. Steve also has extensive expertise in all areas of election law to include initiatives and referendums.
A “lawyer’s lawyer, ” he has extensive political contacts throughout Ohio and fosters those relationships to deliver services that achieve his client’s objectives. His philosphy is to add value every day to manage their trust.
Steve served as the Law Director for the City of Dublin for 40 years. He has been a frequent speaker for the Ohio Municipal Attorneys Association, the Ohio Municipal League, and on the national level for the International Municipal Lawyers Association. Recent topics include public-private partnerships (P3) and economic development.
Steve has served as special counsel for numerous cities, villages and school districts throughout the state of Ohio assisting those entities in the areas of annexation, litigation, charter development, and transitioning village government to city government entities. He has also served as outside general counsel for private clients.
His expertise also includes assisting private-sector clients obtaining incentives for locating and expanding businesses both in Ohio and throughout the United States.
With his depth of governmental knowledge and expertise, Steve also serves as a valuable resource to other attorneys in FBT’s government services practice group. His greatest asset is the ability to solve problems for his clients and establish a stellar team including lobbyists to identify and resolve their issues.
Served as general counsel for the Ohio Air Quality Development Authority for seven years.
Represented numerous cities and school districts in litigation across the state and in both the trial and appellate areas, as well as appearing in the Ohio State Supreme Court. His position with the firm allows him to exercise his expertise managing major projects in the public sector.
Represented South-Western City School District before the Franklin County Board of Elections and the Ohio Supreme Court and successfully defeated a claim for writ of prohibition or mandamus which would have required the Franklin County Board of Elections to place an operating levy repeal issue on the ballot after the board had invalidated the repeal petitions because they were unauthorized by law.
The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law, J.D., 1971
University of Toledo, B.A., 1968
James H. Epps, III Longevity of Service to a Community Award
Marvin J. Glink Private Practice Local Government Attorney Award
Best Lawyers in America©, Municipal Law, 2007-2012, 2014-2019; Communications Law, 2007-2012, 2014-2019; Litigation – Municipal, 2014-2019; Columbus Municipal Law “Lawyer of the Year”, 2015; Columbus Communications Law “Lawyer of the Year,” 2016, 2018
Ohio Super Lawyers® 2004, 2005
AV-Preeminent, Martindale-Hubbell®
Ohio Municipal Attorney’s Association
International Municipal Lawyers Association, 6th Circuit, Vice President, 2011-2013, 2002-2006, State chairperson, 2000-2001
State of Ohio Republican Party
Franklin County Republican Party
August 19, 2021 | Press Releases
Additional 27 attorneys named “Ones to Watch” A total of 172 Frost Brown Todd (FBT) attorneys we...
August 21, 2020 | Press Releases
Includes 15 “Lawyers of the Year” and 23 “Ones to Watch” A total of 183 Frost Brown Todd (FB...
August 15, 2019 | Press Releases
Twenty-two earn additional “Lawyer of the Year” title A total of 169 Frost Brown Todd (FBT) atto...