Matthew B. Smith

Matt Smith is a commercial litigator based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where he practices with Kean Miller. He represents businesses in complex litigation involving tens to hundreds of millions of dollars in dispute in Louisiana state and federal courts, as well as on appeal. Matt focuses on helping clients understand the legal, regulatory, and business risks and opportunities that inform critical decision-making throughout high-stakes litigation.

Matt’s practice includes Commercial Litigation, Energy Law, Environmental Law, Litigation – Environmental, and Oil and Gas Law. He regularly represents oil and gas exploration, production, and midstream companies, along with other businesses, in matters involving toxic tort defense, environmental claims, property damage and contamination, property rights disputes, oilfield legacy litigation, regulatory compliance issues, and contractual and commercial disputes.

Matt advises clients navigating lawsuits that involve soil and groundwater contamination, air emissions, and related regulatory standards. His work frequently requires managing litigation with complicated factual records, extensive discovery, large data sets, and coordinated efforts among technical consultants, scientific experts, and national counsel. In addition to litigation, he assists with contract negotiation and dispute resolution strategies tailored to each client’s operational and business objectives.

Efficiency and organization are central to Matt’s approach. He prioritizes focused advocacy and practical case management, avoiding unnecessary motion practice or discovery that does not advance the client’s position. By developing streamlined processes and repeatable procedures, Matt works to conserve client resources while maintaining accuracy, consistency, and attention to detail throughout the life of a case.

Matt is analytical by nature and comfortable working with the scientific, technical, and financial issues that often drive complex commercial and environmental litigation. Whether at trial or in negotiation and settlement discussions, he approaches each matter with a process-oriented mindset, helping clients evaluate options and make informed decisions that align with their legal and business priorities.

While attending LSU Law School, Matt served as a Research Assistant to Professor John Randall Trahan. In that role, he assisted with research and drafting related to developments in Louisiana property, sales and lease, child support, and filiation law, as well as materials for the Professor’s Précis on Property Law. This experience shaped Matt’s ability to break down and clearly explain complex legal concepts in litigation.

Before entering the legal profession, Matt worked at Cutco Knives as a Sales Representative and later managed three offices. That experience strengthened his skills in team management, process development, client communication, and problem-solving—skills that continue to inform his litigation practice today.