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Germer PLLCPrincipal
J. Mitchell Smith
Pro

J. Mitchell Smith

4.4
2 reviews

550 Fannin, Suite 400, Beaumont, TX 77701 + 1 location

Appellate Law, Civil Litigation, Commercial Litigation and 9 more

About J. Mitchell Smith

J. Mitchell Smith has been a principal with Germer since January 2002. Mitch graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1988 from The University of Texas at Austin. He received a Juris Doctor from Baylor University School of Law in 1991. He is recognized as a “Texas Super Lawyer”, a Thompson Reuters publication, in 2005-2025.

J. Mitchell Smith practices commercial litigation, railroad litigation, general transportation and maritime litigation, and handles numerous civil appeals in the state appellate courts and on the federal level.

Professional Background

•Lynch, Chappell & Alsup, P.C. (1991-1994)
•Wells, Peyton, Greenberg, Hunt & Crawford, L.L.P. (1994-2001)
•Germer PLLC (2001-Present)

Recognitions and Honors

•Texas Super Lawyer, a Thompson Reuters publication (2005-2025)

Interests

•History
•Travel
•Running
•Reading
•College Sports

Civic Involvement

•Board Member, The Art Museum of Southeast Texas: 2008-2022; President, 2015
•Former Board Member, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (Houston Chapter): 2018-2023
•Board Member, McFaddin-Ward House: 2022-Present
•Active Volunteer, Jefferson County Bar Association
•Volunteer, Jefferson County Pro Bono Program
•Catholic Charities of Southeast Texas Board of Directors: 2025-Present

 

J. Mitchell Smith (Beaumont, Texas) View website

Awards

Distinguished Peer Rated
This award is granted to attorneys who have been recognized by their peers for very high ethical standards, with an average peer review score of 3.0 to 4.4.
Martindale-Hubbell Peer BV

Client Champion Awards

Client Champion awards recognize those attorneys who excel at service as affirmed by their clients. The awards, based on the quantity and quality of an attorney’s Martindale-Hubbell client reviews, demonstrate an ongoing commitment to delivering excellent client service. Award recipients stand out from their peers with a platinum, gold or silver icon.

Champion Badge Silver

At least three reviews and a score of 4.0 or higher.

Champion Badge Gold

At least six reviews and a score of 4.2 or higher.

Champion Badge Platinum

At least ten reviews and a score of 4.5 or higher.

Martindale Peer Awards

A lawyer who receives a minimum threshold of qualifying responses from fellow attorneys can qualify for one of three prestigious Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings:

Martindale-Hubbell Peer AV Preeminent Rating

AV Preeminent®: The highest peer rating standard. This rating signifies a large number of the lawyer’s peers rank him or her at the highest level of professional excellence for their legal knowledge, communication skills and ethical standards.

Martindale-Hubbell Peer Distinguished Rating

Distinguished: An excellent rating for a lawyer with some experience. This rating indicates the attorney is widely respected by their peers for high professional achievement and ethical standards.

J. Mitchell Smith got this award in 2021

Martindale-Hubbell Peer Notable Rating

Notable: This rating indicates that the lawyer has been recognized by a large number of their peers for strong ethical standards.

Avvo Awards

Avvo Top Contributor

Avvo Top Contributor: The Avvo Top Contributor Award is granted to attorneys who have earned significant contribution points in a given year on our sister site, Avvo.com. Contribution points are earned by answering questions in Q&A, publishing Legal Guides, and other useful contributions to the Avvo community.

Avvo Client Choice

Avvo Client’s Choice: The Avvo Client's Choice Award Badge is granted to attorneys with a significant number of 4+ star reviews in a given year.

Reviews for J. Mitchell

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Overall Rating
4.4
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4.4
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2
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Services

Areas of Law

  • Litigation 1
    • Civil Litigation
  • Commercial Litigation
  • Construction Law
  • Premises Liability
  • Products Liability
  • Torts
  • Other 6
    • Appellate Law
    • Intellectual Property Law
    • Maritime Law
    • Personal Injury Defense
    • Railroad / FELA / Transportation
    • Transportation and Trucking Litigation

Practice Details

  • Payment Information
    Payment & Cost Features
    Fixed hourly rates
    Fixed fees available
  • Firm Information
    Position
    Principal
    Firm Name
    Germer PLLC
  • Representative Cases & Transactions
    Cases
    Representative Experience: Regional Counsel for The Kansas City Southern Railway Company (CPKC)
    BNSF Railway Company
    Hallcon Corporation
    Pabtex, Inc.
    Linde AG
    Linde Engineering North America, Inc.

Experience

  • Bar Admission & Memberships
    Admissions
    1991, Texas
    U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Texas
    U.S. District Court, Western District of Texas
    U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas
    U.S. Supreme Court and U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit
    Memberships

    Professional Memberships and Affiliations

    •American Board of Trial Advocates (Houston Chapter)

    •International Association of Defense Counsel

    •Chair, Transportation Committee: 2019-2021

    •Vice Chair, Insurance/ReInsurance Committee: 2012-Present

    •National Association of Railroad Trial Counsel

    •Executive Committee: 2022-Present

    •Treasurer: 2024-Present

    •Vice President - Western Region: 2023-2024

    •Texas Association of Defense Counsel

    •East Texas Regional Vice President: 2022-Present

    •State Bar of Texas

    •Bar Association of the Fifth Federal Circuit

    •Texas Bar Foundation

    •Fellow

    •Jefferson County Bar Association

    •President: 2020-2021

    •Director: 2006-2008
    2013-2014

    •Houston Bar Association

    •Texas Bar Journal

    •Board of Editors: 2008-2014

    •Jefferson County Bar Journal

    •Editor: 2006-2017

  • Education & Certifications
    Law School
    Baylor University
    Class of 1991
    J.D.
    Other Education
    University of Texas
    Class of 1988
    B.A.
  • Personal Details & History
    Age
    Born in 1965
    Abilene, Texas, May 2, 1965

Contact J. Mitchell Smith

Principal at Germer PLLC
4.4
2 reviews

550 Fannin, Suite 400Beaumont, TX 77701U.S.A.

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2929 Allen Parkway, Suite 2900Houston, TX 77019U.S.A.

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Office Hours:
  • Monday 08:00 AM - 05:30 PM
  • Tuesday 08:00 AM - 05:30 PM
  • Wednesday 08:00 AM - 05:30 PM
  • Thursday 08:00 AM - 05:30 PM
  • Friday 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
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Other Office Location

Houston, TX

2929 Allen Parkway, Suite 2900Houston, TX 77019U.S.A.

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Attorneys FAQs

  • What year was this attorney first admitted to the bar?
    J. Mitchell Smith was admitted in 1991 to the State of Texas.
  • Is this attorney admitted to practice in any U.S. Federal Courts?
    J. Mitchell Smith is admitted to practice before the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas and United States District Court for the Western District of Texas.
  • Is this attorney Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review rated?
    Yes, J. Mitchell Smith has a 4.4 Peer Rating from Martindale-Hubbell.
  • How many attorneys are in this law firm?
    Germer PLLC has 94 attorneys at this location.
  • What law school did this attorney attend?
    J. Mitchell Smith attended Baylor University.

Attorney information displayed in this FAQ section is based upon information the lawyer has included on their profile, in addition to the information we collect from state bar associations and other organizations that license legal professionals.

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• Distinguished: An excellent rating for a lawyer with some experience. This rating indicates the attorney is widely respected by their peers for high professional achievement and ethical standards.

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