For President-Elect
of the
State Bar of Texas
For President-Elect of the State Bar of Texas
For President-Elect of
The State Bar of Texas
A Life of Service
Meet G. David Smith
A Life In Law And Leadership
I was born in Slaton, Texas. I grew up chasing big dreams across small Texas towns. We moved to Canyon when I was 8 so my mom could finish her teaching degree. We then moved to Muleshoe where I graduated high school. A speech and debate scholarship took me to Odessa College where I earned national recognition in forensics and debate. After graduating from UT Permian Basin and Texas Tech Law School, I started my legal career at Brannan and Pipes in Odessa, gaining invaluable experience alongside some of Texas’ finest trial lawyers. In 1984, I opened my solo practice, learning the ropes from the close-knit legal community in Midland and Odessa. In 1989, I moved to Rockwall and became Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law in 1990. I have been active in every community where I have lived by serving those in need and participating in local non-profit organizations. My wife Diane and I have four children, two daughters-in-law, four grandchildren, and Boudreaux, our feisty five pound ruler of the house—they make our life complete.
I was born in Slaton, Texas. I grew up chasing big dreams across small Texas towns. We moved to Canyon when I was 8 so my mom could finish her teaching degree. We then moved to Muleshoe where I graduated high school. A speech and debate scholarship took me to Odessa College where I earned national recognition in forensics and debate. After graduating from UT Permian Basin and Texas Tech Law School, I started my legal career at Brannan and Pipes in Odessa, gaining invaluable experience alongside some of Texas’ finest trial lawyers. In 1984, I opened my solo practice, learning the ropes from the close-knit legal community in Midland and Odessa.
Miles and Miles
of Texas
I’ve had the privilege of trying cases all across Texas— in addition to trial work, I’ve argued cases on appeal in several Texas courts of appeals and the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. As a general practitioner, I’ve built a diverse legal career, handling cases in criminal law, personal injury, business litigation, and family law. Now I focus on mediation—a process I find deeply rewarding as it allows me to help others resolve disputes with fairness and efficiency.
I’ve had the privilege of trying cases all
across Texas—
in addition to trial work, I’ve
argued cases on appeal in several Texas courts of appeals and the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. As a general practitioner, I’ve built a diverse legal career, handling cases in criminal law, personal injury, business litigation, and family law. Now I focus on mediation—a process I find deeply rewarding as it allows me to help others resolve disputes with fairness and efficiency.
Letter to Texas Lawyers
Dear Fellow Lawyer,
Thank you to all the talented professionals I’ve worked with throughout my legal career. It’s been my honor to learn from you, and now it’s my time to give back—and pay it forward.
Here’s my vision for our Bar:
• Better communication with members.
• Fostering mentorship between seasoned attorneys and new lawyers.
• Bar education to teach law students and current lawyers about the bar and bar service.
• Engaging new lawyers with value-driven Bar activities.
• Encouraging local Bar involvement.
• Using dues responsibly to benefit all members.
• Improving access to legal resources to those in need
We face a lot of challenges—the pressures of firm life, the demands on solo practitioners, and the pursuit of justice for our clients in and out of the courtroom.
As your State Bar President-Elect and President, I will ensure that every lawyer has a voice, that your Bar responds to your needs, and that it supports your efforts to serve others.
I pledge to listen, act
and be your voice.
Thank you for your support.
BAR SERVICE
Former Director, District One, State Bar of Texas Board of Directors
Former member of the Board of Directors Nominations and Elections Subcommittee
Former Chair, Board of Directors Affordable Legal Services Subcommittee
Former TLAP Committee Advisor
Former CLE Committee Advisor
Former Board of Directors Executive Committee Member
Currently on the State Bar Pattern Jury Charge Committee (Malpractice, Premises, and Products)
Rockwall County Bar Association Past President
Rockwall County Bar Foundation Director
Member, Texas Bar College
HONORS AND MEMBERSHIPS
Sustaining Life Fellow, Texas Bar Foundation
Current District One Nominating Committee Co-Chair, Texas Bar Foundation
Reuters Texas Super Lawyer, 2009-2011; 2016-2024
Texas Association of Mediators
COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
Rockwall Housing Development Corporation(Non-profit affordable housing provider); Board Member, 2007-Present; Board President, 2018-2021
Rockwall Grace Clinic Board (Non-profit medical clinic for the uninsured) 2013-Present
City of Rockwall Board of Adjustments,2018-Present (Chair, current)
First United Methodist Church of Rockwall, past Staff-Parrish Relations Chair
