Rod Smith

Rodney Smith focuses his practice on individual and class action employment cases and complex litigation matters. He vigorously represents his clients in federal and state trial courts, appellate courts, and arbitration proceedings.

Rod has been selected by his peers in 2017 and 2018 to be included in The Best Lawyers in America, a U.S. News publication. Rod was also named to Rising Stars℠ twice, as well as selected in 2018 as a Top Rated Lawyer by Super Lawyers®—an award given to only 5% of lawyers. This peer-reviewed award recognizes Mr. Smith for his legal talent in employment law.

Although Rod now devotes most of his practice to helping West Virginia workers and injured individuals, he honed his litigation skills as a partner at Bailey & Glasser, LLP, a national firm specializing in complex matters. While at Bailey & Glasser, Rod served as lead counsel in complex, multi-million-dollar commercial litigation; represented both employees and companies in employment matters; served as class counsel in employment class actions; and represented white collar defendants in federal court.

Although Rod takes a practical approach to litigation, he approaches all cases as if they will go to trial. This approach has served his clients well and resulted in verdicts and arbitration awards exceeding $77 million. Along with co-counsel, Mr. Smith has obtained favorable verdicts or arbitration awards in commercial coal litigation, a federal white collar criminal case, a wrongful death case, and a commercial truck accident case.

Rod has also achieved favorable results for West Virginia workers in wage and hour cases where he has been appointed as class counsel on more than a dozen occasions and helped individuals recover millions of dollars for unpaid or late wages. Rod has had similar success representing West Virginians who were wrongfully terminated.

Previously, Rod served as a law clerk for the Honorable Joseph R. Goodwin of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia. He also served as an associate at Spilman Thomas & Battle, PLLC, a corporate defense firm.

Before attending law school, Rod worked for a number of years as a wilderness leader for at-risk youth. During that time he led extended wilderness trips on the Appalachian Trail and in other wilderness areas. He also served as a coordinator for Upward Bound at Appalachian State University where he helped low-income high school students obtain the skills they needed to enter and succeed in college.

When not working, Rod spends time with his wife and chasing his children around to sporting events and practices. He also enjoys spending time outside with his family and riding motorcycles.

Contact Rod Smith Law PLLC today by dialing (304) 406-7076 or filling out an online contact form.