Directors of the Firm
Gerson H. Smoger, Ph.D., J.D.
Dr. Smoger has represented a wide range of clients in personal injury and consumer litigation with a special interest in birth and early childhood injuries, injuries related to the brain and neurological system, and injuries caused by errant pharmaceuticals or environmental exposure, including their carcinogenic and adverse immunological properties. He has been a frequent lecturer for national and international legal, scientific and medical conferences on such diverse topics as class actions, closed-head injuries, cognitive dysfunction, the art of cross examination, Federal and state law regarding the use of expert witnesses, and exposure to a diverse array of substances, including lead, dioxin, solvents, chlorine gas, and various pharmaceuticals.
Lead Counsel
He has served as a lead counsel in a number of significant cases, such as the representation of the people of Times Beach, groundwater contamination by Teledyne, Fairchild, and IBM, chlorine gas exposure in Alberton, Montana, childhood lead contamination in Herculaneum, Mo. and consumer class actions ranging from the fraud of “light” cigarettes to the option arm mortgage loans that almost brought down our financial system. He successfully argued before the U.S. Supreme Court the right of Vietnam veterans to bring suit for Agent Orange exposure, although the case was later dismissed for other reasons. He has also represented a wide range of amici before the U.S. Supreme Court, including such diverse groups as the editors of the New England Journal of Medicine, the AMA, the Center for Auto Safety, and the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids.
Board & Leadership Roles
Dr. Smoger currently serves on the boards of Public Citizen, Public Justice (as a past President) and Physicians for Human Rights, as a trustee of the Pound Civil Justice Institute, and as Chair of Legal Affairs for the American Association for Justice (“AAJ”). Previously, he served on the Board of Governors of AAJ (1996 – 2006) and as a Vice-Chair of the American Bar Association’s Toxic Torts, Hazardous Substances and Environmental Law committee (1993-2001). He also is a co-sponsor of a national law school competition (the “Hogan/Smoger Access to Justice Essay Contest”). In 2004 Dr. Smoger was named by Public Justice as a finalist for their Trial Lawyer of the Year award. He has been acknowledged every year as a “Super Lawyer” since that program began.
Trial Lawyer of the Year
In 2012, Dr. Smoger received the Public Justice Foundation’s Trial Lawyer of the Year Award for his role as lead trial counsel when he represented 16 children suffering from lead exposure caused by the nearby Doe Run lead smelter. After four months of trial, the jury awarded in excess of $358,000,000, which was the largest collectible verdict in the history of Missouri.
Education
Dr. Smoger earned his Bachelor’s Degree from Lycoming College (Summa Cum Laude) before he undertook graduate studies at Stanford University and the U. of Pennsylvania, where he passed his orals with distinction at the age of 21 and subsequently was awarded his Ph.D. He received his Juris Doctor’s Degree from the U. of California – Berkeley’s Boalt Hall School of Law. He is a member of the bars of CA, TX, and the U.S. Supreme Court.
To see Dr. Smoger’s complete resume click here.
Ilene J. Smoger, M.S., J.D.
Ms. Smoger earned a Bachelor of General Studies degree from the University of Michigan in 1976 (where she graduated with distinction), a Master of Science degree from Eastern Michigan University (education major) in 1981, and a Master of Science degree (business major) from the University of Texas at Dallas in 1988, where she was a member of the Accounting Honor Society. She attended Southern Methodist University School of Law where she received her Juris Doctor degree in 1991. She received the Robertson & Miller Award for the highest grade in Oil & Gas Law and was also a member of the International Legal Fraternity of Phi Delta Phi.
Ms. Smoger currently practices in the area of personal injury law. Ms. Smoger handles all areas of personal injury law, including automobile, truck, and boating accidents, wrongful death actions, nursing home negligence claims, denial of insurance claims and pharmaceutical claims.
Ms. Smoger previously was with the law firm of Geary, Glast & Middleton, P.C. and a director in the law firm of Jackson, Vaden & Smoger, P.C. where she practiced in the areas of business and corporate law, real estate law and estate planning.
Ms. Smoger is an independent licensed real estate broker and assists individuals and investors with real estate transactions. She is also the owner of Smoger Realty and Smoger Properties.
Ms. Smoger served on many boards, including the North Dallas Bar Association (1996-2019 Board Member various years, 1997 President, 1996 President Elect), the Dallas Women Lawyers Association (1999-2000 Board Member, 1996-1998 Vice President) and the Dallas Brain Injury Association (1996-2001 Advisory Board). She is also a member of the State Bar of Texas. She frequently lectured about brain injuries to community groups and the legal community.
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