Derek T. Smith
Derek Smith
New York
New York (NY)
Employment Litigation: Plaintiff
Profile
Derek T. Smith focuses on employment law. He has handled literally thousands of cases over the years. His cases seek damages for sexual harassment, all types of discrimination, hostile work environment, and FMLA violations. Derek T. Smith fully comprehends a wide range of federal, state, and local laws prohibiting all types of discrimination, harassment and retaliation. While many lawyers say not to become emotionally involved in a case, Derek T. Smith feels quite the opposite. In fact, Derek T. Smith does tend to become emotionally involved in each of his cases, and this attachment only serves to improve his results. He takes each of his cases personally, and he loves what he does. Derek T. Smith takes his cases on a contingency basis. His clients pay legal fees only from any recovery. After being wrongfully terminated or harassed, the last thing a person should have to worry about is paying for a lawyer. As such, Derek T. Smith literally becomes partners with his clients and they work together to obtain the best possible recovery.
Selected To
New York Super Lawyers 2011 - Metro Edition
New York Super Lawyers 2010 - Metro
About Derek Smith
Admitted: 1995, New York
Professional Webpage: www.akinandsmith.com/attorneys/derek-smith/
Bar/Professional Activity:
- Derek T. Smith is a member of the National Employment Lawyers Association ("NELA"), National Employment Lawyers Association of New York ("NELA/NY"), New York State Trial Lawyers ("NYSTLA") and practices in both the New York and Philadelphia offices. Mr. Smith is also a Judge in the the annual Robert F. Wagner National Labor and Employment Law Moot Court Competition as well as a Judge in the Charles W. Froessel Intramural Moot Court Competition.
Pro bono/Community Service:
- Derek T. Smith has helped numerous people on a pro bono basis including family members of victims in the World Trade Center attacks, as well as disabled members of the community who were denied reasonable accommodations for their disabilities.
Verdicts and Settlements:
- Derek T. Smith has personally obtained numerous multi-million dollar recoveries for victims of discrimination and sexual harassment. Because these settlements usually require a confidentiality agreement, unfortunately, no further information can be provided. However, cases settled against New York City are not confidential. Therefore, Derek T. Smith has recently obtained a $500,000 settlement against the City for sexual harassment by a female boss against 2 female employees in the Human Recources Department of New York City.
Educational Background:
- Derek T. Smith is an experienced litigator, has particular experience in the areas of discrimination, sexual harassment, civil rights litigation, employment law and civil litigation. Mr. Smith received his J.D. in 1994 from the Dickinson School of Law, his B.A. in 1991 from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Mich., and studied at the Université de Droit, d"Economie, et des Sciences d'Aix-Marseille in Aix-en-Provence France.
Super Lawyers is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high-degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. The selection process is multi-phased and includes independent research, peer nominations and peer evaluations.
