Colleen C Smith

Colleen Smith, a nationally recognized trial lawyer, serves as Global Vice Chair of the firm’s Securities and M&A Litigation Practice, as well as Global Vice Chair of the Public Company & Board Representation Practice.

Colleen helps public companies successfully prevent or navigate litigation related to:

- Securities class actions

- M&A, activism, and Delaware corporate governance

- SEC enforcement matters

- Other shareholder disputes

Colleen brings a well-honed strategic view to her representations, leading teams that have saved clients billions of dollars at all stages of litigation, set precedent, and protected brand-name companies from enterprise-threatening liability. She has secured award-winning defense verdicts at trial for clients across a range of industries, including technology, and healthcare and life sciences.

Before becoming a lawyer, Colleen served as a US Naval Surface Warfare Officer on the guided missile destroyer USS Decatur (DDG 73) and was one of the first women to serve in a combatant role.

After law school, she served as a law clerk for Judge David R. Thompson of the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit and Judge James H. Michael of the US District Court for the Western District of Virginia.