Kent M. Smith

Attorney

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Attorney Kent M. Smith

Kent Smith is a shareholder at Smith Mills Law.  He is currently serving as president of the firm's board of directors and co-chair of the firm's workers' compensation practice group.

Kent is an accomplished attorney with a wealth of experience in defending employers and insurance companies in Iowa and Nebraska. His expertise lies in managing cases related to workers' compensation, civil liability, and employment law claims. In addition to his legal practice, he provides in-house consultations to companies seeking to mitigate potential legal issues.

As a highly regarded speaker, Kent frequently shares his extensive knowledge and experience with national and local trade groups and associations. He is well-known for his engaging and informative presentations and his ability to provide practical advice that is relevant to his audience.

Kent is involved in many organizations such as DRI – The Voice of the Defense Bar, Iowa Defense Counsel Association, Iowa Association of Workers’ Compensation Lawyers, Iowa Self-Insured Association, National Council of Self-Insurers, American Bar Association, Nebraska State Bar Association and Iowa State Bar Association.  He is currently the Chair of the Workers’ Compensation Specialized Litigation Groups (SLGs) for the Insurance Law Committee of DRI.  He also served on the Insurance Coverage and Practice Symposium Steering Committee in 2014.

AREAS OF PRACTICE

  • Worker’s Compensation Law
  • Employment Law
  • Trucking, Railroad & General Transportation
  • Civil Trial Practice
  • Legal Mediation

LICENSURE

Kent is licensed to practice law in Iowa and Nebraska.  He is specifically licensed in the Southern Federal District Court.  Kent's practice involves administrative law, state law and federal law venues.

EDUCATION

Drake University Law School, J.D.

Central College, B.A.

Certified Litigation Management Professional by CLM

LEADERSHIP ROLES

Workers’ Compensation SLG Chair for the Insurance Law Committee of DRI
DRI Insurance Law Committee, 2014 to current

PUBLICATIONS

Using Valuable Evidence: The Intoxication Defense in Workers' Compensation Trial Tactics, For the Defense, September 2009

Trucking Policyholder’s Duty to Preserve Coverage, Defense Research institute Compendium of the Law of 50 States, 2009

SEMINARS

Speaker at National Council of Self-Insurers' Annual Conference on "Covered or Not Covered under Workers' Compensation in a 24-Hour, Mobile Work World," May 2016

Speaker at SEAK on Affirmative Defenses, including the Intoxication Defense, July 2013

Please contact me for a complete list of publications and speaking presentations.

Kent’s many passions outside the office start with his family: a lovely wife, three precocious boys and a cat named Ted the Hero.  Kent and his family love to travel, explore the outdoors and find new adventures.  They enjoy food and the continuous exploration of new food fads and restaurants.  He participates in recreational (old man) slow-pitch and basketball leagues.

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