About Richard
Richard A. Smith
Richard was born and raised in Arkansas. He graduated graduated from Ouachita Baptist University in 1992, focusing his studies on Business Administration, Economics and Communications while competing on the football and track teams. He attended law school at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, graduating in 1995.
In the fall of 1995 Richard worked with the Arkansas Attorney General's office in a suit involving the Arkansas State Police. In the spring of 1996 he began a judicial clerkship at the trial court level working under Judge John Ward. Richard entered private practice in July, 1999, and has maintained a state-wide insurance defense practice ever since. He practiced at the Barber Law Firm for almost 5 years then moved his practice to Kilpatrick, Williams & Meeks, a predecessor to Smith, Williams, in 2004. Richard assumed the position of Managing Partner of the firm in 2011.
In early 2021, at the insistence of members of the plaintiff's bar, Richard enrolled in the Arkansas Supreme Court's mediation training class. Being a defense lawyer, he considered their request to be high praise. He formed Smith Mediation in 2021 and has conducted over 200 mediations.
Richard is married, with a step-son who is an officer in the United States Air Force and a son in elementary school. He is active in his church, serving as a deacon and Sunday school teacher, and has coached youth sports for decades.