Legal Experience
Law Offices of Gerald K. Smith and John C. Smith, PLLC, Tucson, Arizona
Partner (Sept 2008 – Present)
Smith & Smith focuses primarily on civil and commercial litigation, secured transactions, bankruptcy, and corporate reorganization. In addition to their bankruptcy and commercial litigation practice, John has developed considerable expertise opposing wrongful foreclosure by large banking institutions against homeowners, a persistent problem in Arizona. He has also focused on the growing area of discharge of student debt in order to help young women and men to embark on a future not overly burdened by large debt load. Attorney John Smith also handles personal injury cases representing people who have been injured at no fault of their own.
Bankston, Gronning, and O'Hara, Anchorage, Alaska
Associate (Jun 2007 – Aug 2008)
Bankston's practice area encompasses business litigation, construction litigation, commercial transactions, trust administration, estate planning, health law, employment law, and real estate. While an associate, John represented numerous clients, including successfully representing a local real estate company in enforcing it rights against UBS.
Beus Gilbert, PLLC, Phoenix, Arizona
Associate (Dec 2003 – Jun 2005)
Beus Gilbert's general practice is in civil litigation, with an emphasis on accountant liability and securities fraud, as well as real estate, zoning and development. John worked primarily with Mr. Leo Beus on large, multi-party, complex litigation, including a historic recovery for the unsecured creditors in the Boston Markets bankruptcy.
United States Bankruptcy Court, District of Arizona, Phoenix, Arizona
Intern for the Honorable Randolf J. Haines, (Aug 2002—Dec 2002)
Assisted Judge Haines in researching and drafting opinions for consumer bankruptcy and corporate reorganizations.
Military Experience
161st Air Refueling Wing, Arizona Air National Guard, Phoenix, Arizona
Aircraft Commander KC-135 (Jul 2011—Present)
Captain Smith is transitioning from the combat transport mission of the C-130 airframe to the air refueling/power projection mission of the KC-135.
144th Airlift Squadron, Alaska Air National Guard, Anchorage, Alaska
Command Pilot C-130H2 (Jun 2002—Jul 2011)
A combat-tested C-130 pilot, John has deployed to Afghanistan twice (2007 and 2009), flying more than 120 combat sorties in support of military, counter-insurgency, humanitarian, and special operations missions. During his 2009 deployment, John served as de facto executive officer, ensuring all U.S. Central Air Forces (CENTAF) requirements and documentation for the approximate 30 deployed aircrew of his unit were satisfied—ensuring timely promotion for all personnel.
John is now an instructor pilot and deployed with the 161st in 2013, 2015, and 2019.
Education
Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law, Arizona State University, Phoenix, Arizona
Juris Doctor, May 2003
Substantial Research Paper: Prosecuting the Corporation—Ramifications of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
Bachelor of Arts, English Literature, May 1998
Varsity Member, University of Washington Golf Team (NCAA Division I)
Editor, Bricolage: A Literary Journal
Court Admissions
Alaska Supreme Court (Admitted 2003)
Arizona Supreme Court (Admitted 2004)
United States District Court for the District of Arizona (Admitted 2004)
United States District Court for the District of Alaska (Admitted 2008)
Selected Representations
State of Alaska v. Jennings
Represented the State of Alaska in the enforcement and collection of a foreign judgment in Arizona.
In re Alva James Bennett
Counsel for an investor in an adversary proceeding instituted against the investors of a Ponzi scheme.
In re Freeport Logistics
Counsel for a lessor in large reorganization of a third party logistics and warehouse provider.
In re Cardsystems Solutions, Inc.
Counsel for a banking group to protect their interests in the Bankruptcy case.
In re Pacific Energy Resources LTD., et al.
Counsel for Salamatof Native Association to protect their ancestral lands and commercial leases during the liquidation of Pacific Energy.
Youth Exploring Adventures, Inc. v. Municipality of Anchorage
Counsel for non-profit ski area to enforce its rights against the Municipality of Anchorage in a lease dispute.
Estate of Alfredo Moreno Gastelum, et al. v. Deutsche Bank National Trust Co.
Counsel for homeowner whose home was wrongfully foreclosed upon.
Roosevelt Irrigation Dist v. Salt River Project Agricultural Improvement and Power Dist., et. al.
Counsel for large national corporation defending against a Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability action instituted to recover costs incurred for environmental cleanup by the Roosevelt Irrigation District.
Memberships
Arizona Bar Association
Alaska Bar Association
American Bar Association
Federal Bar Association
Pima County Bar Association
MILITARY DECORATIONS:
AIR MEDAL
AIR FORCE OUTSTANDING UNIT AWARD
AFGHANISTAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL (w/ Oak Leaf Cluster)
GLOBAL WAR ON TERRORISM MEDAL
NATIONAL DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL
ARMED FORCES RESERVE MEDAL (w/ “M” Device)
NATO MEDAL (w/ Oak Leaf Cluster)
Personal
John is married to Jan Leavitt Smith. They have three children—Elizabeth, Jacob and Owen—and currently reside in Tucson. A second generation Arizonan, Mr. Smith was born and raised in Phoenix. He attended Brophy College Preparatory School prior to college. In addition to practicing law and serving the country as a Captain in the Arizona Air National Guard, John and his family own and operate a 860-acre farm, vineyard and winery in Graham County, Arizona.