Paul S. Smith, III

Partner

Seattle, WA
D 564.215.5557
paul.smith@fmglaw.com

Education

  • J.D., Seattle University School of Law
  • B.A., University of Washington, Economics
Overview

Paul Smith is a Partner at Freeman Mathis & Gary, LLP and is located in the Seattle office. He handles general liability, trucking and transportation, catastrophic tort and insurance defense matters. Mr. Smith has extensive experience resolving complex matters through mediation, arbitration and trial. He also regularly conducts hearings as an arbitrator for King County Superior Court when assigned to cases proceeding through mandatory arbitration.

Prior to joining FMG, Mr. Smith practiced for nearly 20 years at a mid-sized civil litigation and insurance defense firm in Seattle and for 8 years as an admiralty and marine defense counsel, also in Seattle. He has handled a wide range of personal injury, trucking and transportation, products liability, general liability and insurance defense matters. Mr. Smith has defended commercial and residential property owners in premises liability, boundary disputes and timber trespass cases. He has also represented general contractors and subcontractors in construction defect lawsuits both as defendants and third-party plaintiffs seeking contractual indemnification. As an admiralty lawyer, Mr. Smith defended vessel owners and terminal operators against Jones Act and USL&H claims as well as vessel collision and cargo damage matters.

Bar Admissions

Oregon

Washington

Representative Cases & Clients
  • Obtained summary judgment and a large fee award in a boundary dispute involving adverse possession.
  • Defended a motor carrier against a wrongful death case arising from plaintiff rear-ending a client’s tractor/trailer stopped in a gore point.
  • Resolved a multi-million dollar suit against a crane inspection company relating to a vessel damaged while being launched.
Affiliations
  • Mr. Smith is a member of the Washington Defense Trial Lawyers Association and the King County Bar Association.