Patricia A. Smith

Patricia A. Smith is a partner in the Litigation Department and a member of the Labor and Employment Group and Health Care Group. A veteran litigator, Ms. Smith has significant jury trial experience in state and federal courts. Ms. Smith also prepares affirmative action programs and represents clients during government audits and investigations. She has an active ERISA litigation practice and counsels employers on avoiding and resolving employment-related problems.

Ms. Smith represents management in all areas of employment and labor law and litigation. She has experience in a variety of industries, including computers, construction, health care, transportation, oil refining, manufacturing, and commercial lending. Ms. Smith regularly provides advice and counseling to employers concerning the implementation of reductions in force and other difficult employment decisions. She also practices traditional labor law and has handled numerous arbitrations, union organizing campaigns, collective bargaining negotiations, and unfair labor practice charges.

Representative Matters

• Successfully defended a nationally recognized construction company before a jury in two age-discrimination employment suits
• Successfully defended numerous claims of employment discrimination and retaliation claims on the basis of race, sex, age, disability, national origin, and whistleblower status in numerous state and federal courts throughout the country
• Successfully defended ERISA individual and class action matters
• Develops and implements strategies to preserve confidential corporate information and to avoid the loss of valuable employees to competitors
• Successfully obtains and enforces temporary restraining orders and injunctions in connection with massive strike activity

Recognition & Accomplishments

Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business, labor and employment law, 2007-2011

AV Peer Review Rating, Martindale-Hubbell

Publications

Frequent author on numerous employment law topics, including sexual harassment, defamation, employee piracy, and union avoidance

Speaking Engagements

Regular speaker and lecturer before business, bar, and community groups on labor and employment law topics, including the American Bar Association, New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education, American Petroleum Labor Lawyers Association, and Council on Management

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey School of Law-Camden (J.D. 1981, cum laude )

Rowan University (B.A. 1973, magna cum laude )

New Jersey

Pennsylvania