Matthew J. Smith, Partner
Mr. Smith is admitted to practice law in Ohio, Kentucky, Florida, Michigan and Washington, D.C.  Originally from Dayton, Ohio, he is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music in 1980, with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Radio, Television and Film.  He completed his legal studies in 1983 at the Salmon P. Chase College of Law of Northern Kentucky University.

Prior to entering the practice of law, Mr. Smith was employed by Taft Broadcasting Company, Warner Cable Communications and the Cincinnati-based public relations firm of Smith-Kauffman.  His previous legal experience includes serving as Execute Vice President and General Counsel  to Thompson Properties, Inc. of Florida and private practice with the law firm of Cameron, Marriott, Walsh & Hodges in Orlando and Daytona Beach, Florida, from 1985 through 1988.  In 1989, as a sole practitioner, he began the firm which is today Smith, Rolfes & Skavdahl Company, L.P.A.  Mr. Smith has extensive experience in the representation of insurance companies and self-insured corporations in litigation matters throughout the United States.  He has been married for more than 20 years and is the father of two daughters.

In addition to the practice of law, Mr. Smith has been actively involved in governmental affairs and insurance law related matters at the local, state and national levels.  He is a frequent lecturer on insurance law issues for many national insurance carriers, the International Association of Arson Investigators, the Property Loss Research Bureau, the Ohio Arson School, the Florida Insurance Fraud Education Council and is a frequent presenter for the National Society of Professional Insurance Investigators where he has served as the National Society President, a member of the National Board of Directors, the Ohio Chapter President, the Ohio Board of Directors and in 2005 received the NSPII Outstanding Achievement Award.  Mr. Smith has also been recognized as an expert witness in the field of insurance investigations and insurance bad faith litigation.

Mr. Smith has additionally served on a number of campaign committees for Ohio judicial candidates, including Justices of the Ohio Supreme Court; has served as a member of the Business Committee of the Children’s Hospital Medical Center of Cincinnati; a Trustee and member of the Executive Board of Montgomery Community Church and on the Board of Directors of the Chase Law School Benefactors Club.  He is also a member of the Cincinnati Bar Association where he served as a past Co-Chair of the Joint Committee of the Cincinnati Bar Association and the Cincinnati Academy of Medicine.  He is also a member of the Ohio, Kentucky, Florida and Michigan State Bar Associations, the D.C. Bar, the American Bar Association, the Ohio Association of Civil Trial Attorneys and the Defense Research Institute.