Jay Smith

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Jay Smith represents business owners and individuals in the prosecution and defense of civil claims brought by closely held business owners, including business torts, contract disputes, shareholder disputes, employment claims, estate litigation, and other business-related issues.

Jay also provides general counsel to several local businesses. He assists his clients by navigating licensing and regulation issues, employment questions, contract disputes, and other matters that commonly arise in business ownership. Jay’s extensive litigation experience allows him to provide his clients with unique insight and helps them keep issues from becoming problems.

Through his professional and civic efforts, Jay has developed relationships within city and state government and has an understanding of local laws and regulations, which allows him to effectively negotiate and manage issues that arise between businesses and government.

Click here for a more complete listing of practice areas.

Bar and Community Involvement

  • Birmingham Bar Association

  • Alabama Bar Association

  • American Bar Association, Litigation Section

  • Leadership Birmingham – Class of 2018

  • Advisory Board officer, Forest Park/South Avondale Neighborhood Association

  • Design Review Board, Forest Park/South Avondale Neighborhood Association

  • Board member, Southside Ball Association

Significant Professional Results

  • Obtained a $500,000 jury verdict when a national franchisor interfered with business relationships that a client had spent years cultivating

  • Procured a $300,000 settlement from a majority business owner after the majority owner misappropriated funds belonging to minority ownership

  • Successfully defended a majority owner from a minority shareholder oppression and fraud claim

  • Facilitated a $500,000 settlement in favor of three company executives who claimed that an employer fired them for discriminatory purposes

  • Obtained settlements totaling over $300,000 for beneficiaries under a will after a conservator improperly exhausted all the decedent’s assets

  • Negotiated with state regulatory agencies so that clients could, after investigation and counsel, avoid adverse action

  • Guided business clients through zoning and permitting hurdles and negotiated with the City of Birmingham to achieve an amicable resolution