Rich Smith, Jr. is an associate, practicing in Groom’s litigation group where he supports clients involved in disputes, including trials, arbitration, mediations and negotiation.
Rich’s professional career began with three consecutive federal court clerkships over a period of three years. Following law school, Rich first clerked for Special Master Herbrina Sanders, in the United States Court of Federal Claims, Office of Special Masters, where he managed a docket of approximately 125 cases. He then clerked, also at the Court of Federal Claims, for Judge Lydia Kay Griggsby. As the Court dealt with Federal bid protest disputes, Rich’s clerkship was a grounded in research – he routinely reviewed voluminous administrative records to assist Judge Griggsby in deciding cases, and in preparing for and conducting temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction hearings, as well as advising the Judge on the resolution of cases involving military and civilian pay claims, federal income tax claims and patent claims. Rich’s final clerkship was also for Judge Griggsby, in the United States District Court for the District of Maryland. Rich was responsible for management of a docket of approximately 100 civil and criminal cases. He reviewed briefs and performed extensive legal research to provide guidance to Judge Griggsby on resolution of a wide range of issues, as well as drafting orders and decisions for cases before chambers.
Rich was awarded his J.D. by the Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law, where he was Executive Editor of the school’s Law Review, on the Dean’s List for five of his six semesters and recipient of the Eric Weissman Memorial Stipend. He received his undergraduate degree from Utica College in Health Studies Management, was on the Dean’s List four times and captain of the basketball team twice.
In his infrequent spare time, Rich is a huge fan of the Chelsea Football Club, which often entails getting up at the crack of dawn in the U.S. to watch matches, as well as an avid reader of true crime novels and a movie fan.
