Ethan W. Smith
Norfolk,VA
Summary
A hard-working and detail-oriented individual with broad and diverse work experiences. Can work well individually and as part of a team. Will be able to adapt quickly and contribute to the mission of the United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Virginia while handling the unique challenges and pressure that the job entails.
Overview
3
3
years of professional experience
Work History
Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney
Norfolk, VA
08.2022 - 06.2023
- Handled a wide variety of felony and misdemeanor cases, with case load surpassing 100 active cases within two months of becoming an attorney with little to no assistance or supervision. Second chair in jury trial for a defendant charged with second-degree murder where I gave the opening and closing statements and conducted direct examination of three eyewitnesses and the first officer on the scene. Served as lead prosecutor on multiple felony trials, including the prosecution of a public schools employee for embezzlement. Filed multiple direct indictments in cases involving an insurance fraud, conspiracy to commit insurance and mortgage fraud, rape, sexual assault, attempted murder and numerous firearms-related offenses.
Associate Attorney
Kalbaugh Pfund & Messersmith
07.2025 - Current
- Represent companies and other corporate clients in a variety of personal injury matters in Virginia state courts.
- Handle large number of Circuit Court and General District Court cases with minimal supervision.
- Drafted legal documents including pleadings, motions, and discovery requests to support case management.
- Conducted legal research to provide accurate counsel on complex litigation matters.
Associate Attorney
Crenshaw, Ware & Martin P.L.C.
09.2024 - 07.2025
- Worked in firm’s healthcare, litigation, and government/public sector practice groups. Represented a variety of healthcare providers, including hospitals and other healthcare facilities, nurses, physical therapists, surgeons, oral surgeons, and dentists in medical malpractice suits. Assisted with the defense of employees of Eastern State Hospital in a medical malpractice and wrongful death suit. Outside of personal injury litigation, I assisted local housing authorities with evictions of public housing tenants. This work involved collaborating with housing authority employees and law enforcement officials to evict tenants who were known to harbor gang members and enabled the sale of illicit drugs in public housing projects.
Associate Attorney
Ford Richardson, P.C.
06.2023 - 08.2024
- Primarily practiced in Workers’ Compensation litigation but also worked on cases involving basic insurance defense for vehicular collisions, and premises liability. Defended clients in litigation before the Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission, Department of Labor Office of the Administrative Law Judges and Office of Workers Compensation Programs, Virginia State Court, and the Eastern District of Virginia. Prepared written brief in case before the Virginia Workers Compensation regarding Employer’s responsibility for a Claimant’s over three-year stay at a sub-acute care facility. Prepared large number of written briefs in matters before the Virginia Workers Compensation Commission regarding complex medical issues. Also conducted numerous depositions without supervision or assistance.
Education
Juris Doctor -
Seton Hall University
06-2022
B.A. - Business and Economics
Virginia Military Institute
06-2019
Skills
- Learning
- Case management
- Legal research and writing
- Versatility
- Data and information management
- Use of AI and other integrated software
Additional Work Experience
- FCPA Compliance Intern, Lonza Group, Anti-Corruption Division of General Counsel Office.
- Intern for United States Magistrate Judge Michael A. Hammer, Newark, NJ May-August 2020
Timeline
Associate Attorney
Kalbaugh Pfund & Messersmith
07.2025 - Current
Associate Attorney
Crenshaw, Ware & Martin P.L.C.
09.2024 - 07.2025
Associate Attorney
Ford Richardson, P.C.
06.2023 - 08.2024
Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney
Norfolk, VA
08.2022 - 06.2023
Juris Doctor -
Seton Hall University
B.A. - Business and Economics
Virginia Military Institute