Ronald L. Smith
Counsel, Veterans' Pro Bono Program
Ronald L. Smith joined Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner, LLP as pro bono counsel in July 2008. Prior to joining Finnegan, Mr. Smith served as Deputy General Counsel for Veterans Claims for the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) where he supervised all appeals to the federal courts for the DAV. Mr. Smith served with the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General from 1984 to 1989 before joining the DAV. His practice for the past nineteen years has generally been representing appellants before the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims.
Mr. Smith has prosecuted more than 400 appeals in the federal courts. He has participated in more than forty oral arguments and is associated with some of the earliest decisions of the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. His cases have resulted in more than sixty published opinions.
Mr. Smith has authored a number of articles on veteran’s law topics.
Professional Recognition
- Recipient of the Federal Circuit Bar Association Charitable and Educational Fund's Pro Bono Leadership Award for continuous contributions to pro bono service, 2010.
Professional Activities
- American Bar Association House of Delegates
- Federal Circuit Advisory Council
- Council of the Section of Administrative Law and Regulatory Practice (former member)
- Federal Circuit Bar Association (former president)
- Federal Bar Association Veterans’ Law Section (former chair)
- Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims Rules Advisory Committee (former member and chair)