About Jerry
Jerry Smith is admitted to practice in all state and federal courts in Louisiana.
Education
Jerry Smith earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Mississippi and law degree from Louisiana State University’s Paul M. Hebert Law Center.
Criminal Law Experience
After graduation, Jerry worked in the Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office where he quickly rose through the ranks of felony trial attorneys. He gained invaluable experience while working in several different divisions within the district attorney’s office. He managed a docket of three different sections of Orleans Parish Criminal District Court as the Section Senior and tried a countless number of judge and jury trials.
For seven years, Jerry served as an Assistant District Attorney in Jefferson Parish as lead counsel in jury trials involving every type of criminal charge imaginable.
After Warren Montgomery was elected District Attorney in St. Tammany and Washington Parishes, he sought Jerry’s experience to serve as the “career criminal” prosecutor. For four years, Jerry prosecuted complex cases on special assignment.
Civil Litigation & Personal Injury Experience
Jerry’s legal career has not been limited to criminal law. He acquired civil litigation experience while an associate at the law firm of Lobman, Carnahan, Batt, Angelle and Nader. While at Lobman Carnahan, Jerry handled thousands of claims made by plaintiffs in asbestos exposure cases. In addition, he also served as trial counsel for a civil jury trial involving mesothelioma which resulted in a very favorable verdict for his client.
In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Jerry represented dozens of homeowners in negotiating insurance claims on their homes, vehicles and watercraft. His work resulted in hundreds of thousands of dollars of increased payments from insurance companies unwilling to pay the true value of claims.
Outside of the Office
Aside from his busy practice, Jerry is a faculty member for Tulane Law School’s Trial Advocacy Program, where he instructs law students on ethics, professionalism and trial skills.
Jerry is very active with his non-profit charity, Swineaux, which competes in Hogs for the Cause, an annual barbecue competition to raise money for children suffering from brain cancer.
Jerry lives in Metairie with his wife, two sons and their dog.