Lewis T. Smoak

Lewis T. Smoak

Greenville, SC recognized lawyers icon Recognized in Best Lawyers since 1991
Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart PC

317 Best Lawyers awards

Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart PC logo

Awarded Practice Areas

Employment Law - Management Labor Law - Management

Biography

Mr. Smoak is a founding partner of Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart.During more than 44 years of representing companies in labor and employment matters, he has personally handled approximately 300 union organizing and decertification campaigns. He has extensive experience in the development and implementation of preventive labor relations programs for clients in all regions of the country. He is among the one percent of U.S. lawyers listed in The Best Lawyers in America, and has also been selected by his peers for inclusion in the ABA’s College of Labor and Employment Lawyers, and Chambers USA Leading Lawyers in America. Mr. Smoak is the author of three comprehensive nationwide labor relations studies in the construction industry.He has served on the Greenville (president) and South Carolina State Chambers of Commerce and currently serves on the State Chamber's Good Government Committee. He has served since 2002 as a member of South Carolina BIPEC's Board and its Executive Committee since 2004.He focuses community efforts on early childhood education issues, including service on United Way’s Success by Six Board, and chairing both Greenville County (2001-2003) and the State of South Carolina’s First Steps for School Readiness Board of Trustees (2003-2013).For his work in early childhood education, he was recognized and received the 2006 Ellis Island Medal of Honor.
Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart PC

317 Best Lawyers awards

Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart PC logo

Overview

  • The University of South Carolina School of Law, J.D., graduated 1969
  • Furman University, BA, graduated 1966

  • South Carolina, South Carolina Bar
  • District of Columbia, The District of Columbia Bar

  • American Bar Association - Member
  • District of Columbia Bar Association - Member
  • Greenville County Bar Association - Member
  • Judicial Conference Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals - Member
  • South Carolina Bar Association - Member
  • South Carolina, South Carolina Bar
  • District of Columbia, The District of Columbia Bar
  • American Bar Association - Member
  • District of Columbia Bar Association - Member
  • Greenville County Bar Association - Member
  • Judicial Conference Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals - Member
  • South Carolina Bar Association - Member
  • The University of South Carolina School of Law, J.D., graduated 1969
  • Furman University, BA, graduated 1966

Client Testimonials

Awards & Focus

Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2025 - Labor Law - Management Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2021 - Labor Law - Management Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2014 - Employment Law - Management
Named "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers® for:
  • Labor Law - Management, Greenville (2025)
  • Labor Law - Management, Greenville (2021)
  • Employment Law - Management, Greenville (2014)
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2026 for work in:
  • Employment Law - Management
  • Labor Law - Management
Special Focus:
  • Management
Awards:
  • Lawyer of the Year - Labor Management - Greenville, SC
  • Chambers USA
  • South Carolina Super Lawyer (2013)

Case History

Cases
  • Other Court Admissions
  • U.S. Supreme Court
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Fourth, Sixth and Eleventh Circuits

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