Mr. David F. Smith has been a partner in the firm since
1991. He represents both foreign and domestic companies involved in transportation and
related industries in state and federal courts and before numerous administrative
agencies. He has many years of experience negotiating and drafting international
commercial contracts. Mr. Smith has also advised clients on the purchase of computer
software, network services, and other technology-related issues. He regularly advises
clients on issues relating to bills of lading, cargo receipts, letters of credit, and
other commercial documentation. He has participated in federal class action antitrust
litigation, as well as federal and state court litigation challenging taxes and fees on
transportation entities. He has also advised clients on financing transactions under Title
XI of the Merchant Marine Act of 1936.
Professional Background
Mr. Smith has been engaged in the private practice of law for
nearly 20 years. He became a partner in a prominent Washington, D.C. law firm in 1990 and
became a partner in Sher & Blackwell when it was founded in 1991. From 1994 through
1999, he was resident in San Francisco, and is licensed to practice law in the State of
California as well as the District of Columbia.
Mr. Smith has been actively involved in professional
activities in the transportation and logistics industry. He is a member
of the Association for Transportation Law, Logistics & Policy,
for which he serves as the maritime editor and member of the program
board. He is also a member of the Maritime Administrative Bar Association
and the Administrative Law and Communications Law Sections of the
District of Columbia Bar Association. Mr. Smith has spoken extensively
on diverse transportation related issues before a number of professional
organizations throughout the United States. Topics which he has addressed
include the Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 1998, legal issues relating
to stowaways, over-the-road weight limitations for intermodal containers,
and recent legal developments in transportation and logistics.
Practice
Areas
Administrative
Antitrust
Corporate & Transactional
International Law
Maritime Commerce
Maritime Regulation
Professional
Affiliations/Associations
District of Columbia Bar
California Bar
U.S. Court of Appeals for District of Columbia Circuit and the Fifth Circuit
U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia
Association of Transportation Law, Logistics & Policy
Maritime Administrative Bar Association
Education
George Washington University, J.D. with honors, 1981
Duke University, B.A. Political Science, magna cum laude, 1975
