Kenneth Craig Smith, Jr.

Top rated Criminal Defense attorney in Shreveport, Louisiana

Smith & John
Kenneth Craig Smith, Jr.
Smith & John

Practice areas: Criminal Defense, Personal Injury, DUI-DWI; view more

Licensed in Louisiana since: 1993

Education: Louisiana State University Paul M. Hebert Law Center

Selected to Super Lawyers: 2017 - 2026

Smith & John

3646 Youree Dr.
Shreveport, LA 71105 Phone: 318-219-1001 Email: Kenneth Craig Smith, Jr. Visit website
Details

Craig has been selected for the 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 & 2022 editions of The Best Lawyers in America® © by Woodward/White, Inc., of Aiken, S.C.  Additionally, Craig has been listed as one of the top lawyers in the Shreveport-Bossier area in SB Magazine's "Top Lawyers" issue ('04, '05, '06 '07, '08, '09, '10, '11, '12, '13, '14, ‘15, '16, '17, ‘18, ‘19, '20 & '21).

He is a member of the Louisiana State Bar Association and Fifth Federal Circuit Bar Association.  He has been a Master Member of the Harry V. Booth and Henry A. Politz Chapter of the American Inns of Court.  Craig was invited to join the Inn as an Associate member in 1998.  Since then, he has advanced to a Barrister Member and then a Master member.  The Inn is a group of select judges and lawyers dedicated to improving the skills, professionalism, and ethics of the bench and bar (1998-2012).

Craig is currently serving an eighth term in the House of Delegates of the Louisiana State Bar Association for the First Judicial District Court which encompasses all of Caddo Parish.  (Terms: '02-'04. '04-'06, '06-'08, '08-'10, '10-'12, '12-'14, '14-'16, '16-'18, & ‘18-‘20.) The House of Delegates is the policy making body of the Louisiana State Bar Association.  Craig has chaired the Criminal Law Committee of the Shreveport Bar Association, and he has chaired the Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee which handled grievances by clients against their attorneys.

Craig has lectured numerous times on the subjects of "Expungements" and criminal law.  Instructor, "Expungements," Legal Services of North Louisiana, Inc. Recent Developments CLE, November 2015' Instructor, "Expungements," Legal Services of North Louisiana, Inc. Recent Developments CLE, September 2014; Instructor, "DWI Seminar," Louisiana Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, October 2011.  Instructor, "Art of Criminal Law," Louisiana Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, October 2010.  Instructor, "Criminal Law," Shreveport Bar Association CLE, December 2007. Instructor, "Criminal Law," Shreveport Bar Association CLE, December 2006.  Instructor, "Criminal Law," Shreveport Bar Association CLE, December 2003.  Instructor/Author, "Expungements," Shreveport Bench-Bar Conference 2000. Craig also teaches the certificate course "Paralegal of Criminal Litigation" at Louisiana State University in Shreveport, Fall of 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 & 2021.

Craig was born in Shreveport, Louisiana. He graduated from Loyola College Prep in 1985. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Finance from Louisiana State University-Shreveport in 1990. He attended law school at Paul M. Hebert Law Center at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, where he graduated in 1993. He is an attorney and partner in the law firm of Smith & John.

Craig was admitted to the Louisiana Bar in 1993, and since then, he has been admitted to practice before the following courts:  U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit;  U.S. District Court, Western District of Louisiana; and   U.S. District Court, Middle District of Louisiana.

He is a past board member of the Young Lawyer's Section of the Shreveport Bar Association.  He has served as a Teen Court Judge and has volunteered his time as a Teen Court Advisor and to KTBS-3's "Call a Lawyer" program.  He has given his time to area high school mock trial competitions.  Craig has also served on the St. Joseph's Parish Finance Council as Vice-president and as a council member.

Craig is married to Mary Ann, and they have two sons Craig III and Jack, and a daughter, Mary Kathryn.

Craig practices throughout North Louisiana in the following cities and parishes: Shreveport, Blanchard, Mooringsport, Greenwood, Vivian, Caddo Parish, Bossier City, Benton, Plain Dealing, Haughton, Bossier Parish, Minden, Springhill, Cullen, Webster Parish, Mansfield, Stonewall, DeSoto Parish, Arcadia, Bienville Parish, Ruston, Lincoln Parish, Monroe, Ouachita Parish, Coushatta, Red River Parish, Homer, Claiborne Parish, Many, and Sabine Parish.

Practice areas

Criminal Defense, Personal Injury - General: Plaintiff, Criminal Defense: DUI/DWI, Criminal Defense: White Collar

First Admitted: 1993, Louisiana

Professional Webpage: http://www.smith-john.com/kcs_profile.htm

Bar / Professional Activity

  • Member of the House of Delegates of the Louisiana State Bar Association (6th term, 2012-2014), First Judicial District Court (Caddo Parish), which is the policy making body of the state bar association, 2012
  • Member of the House of Delegates of the Louisiana State Bar Association (3rd term, 2006-2008), First Judicial District Court (Caddo Parish), which is the policy making body of the state bar association, 2006
  • Master Member, American Inn of Court, Harry V. Booth-Judge Henry A. Politz Chapter (2007-2012), 2012
  • Past Board Member, Shreveport Bar Association, Young Lawyer's Section
  • Member, Bar Association of the Fifth Federal Circuit
  • Member of the House of Delegates of the Louisiana State Bar Association (7th term, 2014-2016), First Judicial District Court (Caddo Parish), which is the policy making body of the state bar association, 2014
  • Member of the House of Delegates of the Louisiana State Bar Association (4th term, 2008-2010), First Judicial District Court (Caddo Parish), which is the policy making body of the state bar association, 2008
  • Member of the House of Delegates of the Louisiana State Bar Association (1st term, 2002-2004), First Judicial District Court (Caddo Parish), which is the policy making body of the state bar association, 2002
  • Associate Member, American Inn of Court, Harry V. Booth-Judge Henry A. Politz Chapter (1998-2002), 2002
  • Past Chairman, Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee of the Shreveport Bar Association which handled grievances by clients against their attorneys
  • Member of the House of Delegates of the Louisiana State Bar Association (5th term, 2010-2012), First Judicial District Court (Caddo Parish), which is the policy making body of the state bar association, 2010
  • Member of the House of Delegates of the Louisiana State Bar Association (2nd term, 2004-2006), First Judicial District Court (Caddo Parish), which is the policy making body of the state bar association, 2004
  • Barrister Member, American Inn of Court, Harry V. Booth-Judge Henry A. Politz Chapter (2002-2007), 2007
  • Past Chairman, Criminal Law Committee of the Shreveport Bar Association
  • Member, Louisiana State Bar Association

Verdicts / Settlements (Case Results)

  • Janski v. City of Shreveport (2002); Practice Area: Personal Injury - Plaintiff; Outcome: Settled; Case Summary: This was a widely publicized case where an inmate in Shreveport City jail was beaten by another inmate. A Section 1983 action was filed against the City, including high ranking city officials, for the substandard conditions in the jail.
  • United States v. Edwin Edwards, et al. (concluded May 13, 2000); Practice Area: Criminal Defense; Outcome: Not Guilty. Case Summary: This was one of the largest and most notorious white collar trials in Louisiana. It started with a 96 page Indictment. This was the prosecution of Louisiana's former governor, Edwin Edwards, along with a State Senator, Gaming Board member and four of the governor's friends. The trial commenced on January 10, 2000, and ended May 13, 2000. Mr. Smith represented Ecotry Fuller, the Gaming Board member who was accused of using his power on the gaming board to effectuate the RICO charges made against the other defendants concerning the issuance of a gaming license to a casino. The trial lasted 4 months. The case was widely covered by the media, both state and national. There were tens of thousands of pages of discovery. Witnesses appeared from the IRS, FBI, Louisiana State Police, high ranking state officials. Mr. Smith's client was acquitted, the State Senator was acquitted, and the remaining five defendants, including Governor Edwards were convicted.

Special Licenses / Certifications

  • Title Insurance Producer License, Louisiana Department of Insurance
  • Notary Public, State of Louisiana

Pro bono / Community Service

  • Advisor, KTBS-3's "Call a Lawyer" program (past volunteer)
  • Member, St. Joseph's Church Parish Finance Council (past volunteer)
  • Teen Court Advisor, Caddo Juvenile Court (past volunteer)
  • Vice-president, St. Joseph's Church Parish Finance Council (past volunteer)
  • Teen Court Judge, Caddo Juvenile Court (past volunteer)
  • Judge, Shreveport area High School Mock Trial Competitions (past volunteer)

Educational Background

  • Loyola College Prep, Shreveport, Louisiana, 1985
  •  Bachelor of Science Degree (Major: Finance), Louisiana State University-Shreveport, 1990

Scholarly Lectures / Writings

  • Instructor, "Expungements," Legal Services of North Louisiana, Inc. Recent Developments CLE, September 2014
  • Instructor, "DWI Seminar," Louisiana Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers CLE, October 2011
  • Instructor, "Art of Criminal Law," Louisiana Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers CLE, October 2010
  • Instructor, "Criminal Law," Shreveport Bar Association CLE, December 2007
  • Instructor, "Criminal Law," Shreveport Bar Association CLE, December 2006
  • Instructor, "Criminal Law," Shreveport Bar Association CLE, December 2003
  • Instructor/Author, "Expungements," Shreveport Bench-Bar Conference 2000
  • "Louisiana Expungements," law and interpreting jurisprudence on expungement process and procedures, Louisiana Expungements, 2000
  • Teacher, "Paralegal of Criminal Litigation" Certificate Course, Louisiana State University in Shreveport, Fall of 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014.

Honors

  • Top Lawyers in Shreveport-Bossier (2006), SB Magazine compiled a list of top attorneys based upon ballots sent to lawyers in Shreveport-Bossier, SB Magazine's "Top Lawyers" issue, 2006
  • Top Lawyers in Shreveport-Bossier (2009), SB Magazine compiled a list of top attorneys based upon ballots sent to lawyers in Shreveport-Bossier, SB Magazine's "Top Lawyers" issue, 2009
  • Top Lawyers in Shreveport-Bossier (2012), SB Magazine compiled a list of top attorneys based upon ballots sent to lawyers in Shreveport-Bossier, SB Magazine's "Top Lawyers" issue, 2012
  • Top Lawyers in Shreveport-Bossier (2015), SB Magazine compiled a list of top attorneys based upon ballots sent to more than 800 lawyers in Shreveport-Bossier, SB Magazine's "Top Lawyers" issue, 2015
  • The Best Lawyers in America©, 2012 Edition, Selected for inclusion in the area of Criminal Law, The Best Lawyers in America©, Woodward/White, Inc., of Aiken, S.C., 2012
  • The Best Lawyers in America©, 2009 Edition, Selected for inclusion in the area of Criminal Law, The Best Lawyers in America©, Woodward/White, Inc., of Aiken, S.C., 2009
  • Commendation, Resolution of Recognition to Caddo-Bossier Pathway to Prosperity Second Chance Initiative Staff & Volunteers, http://www.caddoclerk.com/recognition.pdf, Caddo Parish Commission, 2014
  • Top Lawyers in Shreveport-Bossier (2004), SB Magazine compiled a list of top attorneys based upon ballots sent to lawyers in Shreveport-Bossier, SB Magazine's "Top Lawyers" issue, 2004
  • Top Lawyers in Shreveport-Bossier (2007), SB Magazine compiled a list of top attorneys based upon ballots sent to lawyers in Shreveport-Bossier, SB Magazine's "Top Lawyers" issue, 2007
  • Top Lawyers in Shreveport-Bossier (2010), SB Magazine compiled a list of top attorneys based upon ballots sent to lawyers in Shreveport-Bossier, SB Magazine's "Top Lawyers" issue, 2010
  • Top Lawyers in Shreveport-Bossier (2013), SB Magazine compiled a list of top attorneys based upon ballots sent to lawyers in Shreveport-Bossier, SB Magazine's "Top Lawyers" issue, 2013
  • The Best Lawyers in America©, 2014 Edition, Selected for inclusion in the area of Criminal Law, The Best Lawyers in America©, Woodward/White, Inc., of Aiken, S.C., 2014
  • The Best Lawyers in America©, 2011 Edition, Selected for inclusion in the area of Criminal Law, The Best Lawyers in America©, Woodward/White, Inc., of Aiken, S.C., 2011
  • The Best Lawyers in America©, 2008 Edition, Selected for inclusion in the area of Criminal Law, The Best Lawyers in America©, Woodward/White, Inc., of Aiken, S.C., 2008
  • Top Lawyers in Shreveport-Bossier (2005), SB Magazine compiled a list of top attorneys based upon ballots sent to lawyers in Shreveport-Bossier, SB Magazine's "Top Lawyers" issue, 2005
  • Top Lawyers in Shreveport-Bossier (2008), SB Magazine compiled a list of top attorneys based upon ballots sent to lawyers in Shreveport-Bossier, SB Magazine's "Top Lawyers" issue, 2008
  • Top Lawyers in Shreveport-Bossier (2011), SB Magazine compiled a list of top attorneys based upon ballots sent to lawyers in Shreveport-Bossier, SB Magazine's "Top Lawyers" issue, 2011
  • Top Lawyers in Shreveport-Bossier (2014), SB Magazine compiled a list of top attorneys based upon ballots sent to lawyers in Shreveport-Bossier, SB Magazine's "Top Lawyers" issue, 2014
  • The Best Lawyers in America©, 2013 Edition, Selected for inclusion in the area of Criminal Law, The Best Lawyers in America©, 2013
  • The Best Lawyers in America©, 2010 Edition, Selected for inclusion in the area of Criminal Law, The Best Lawyers in America©, Woodward/White, Inc., of Aiken, S.C., 2010
  • The Best Lawyers in America©, 2007 Edition, Selected for inclusion in the area of Criminal Law, The Best Lawyers in America©, Woodward/White, Inc., of Aiken, S.C., 2007

Office location for Kenneth Craig Smith, Jr.

3646 Youree Dr.
Shreveport, LA 71105

Selections

10 Years Super Lawyers
  • Super Lawyers: 2017 - 2026

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