Dwight L. Smith
Mediator | Arbitrator | Attorney
Areas of Expertise -Commercial Transactions and Litigation, Construction; Commercial Lending and Creditors’ Rights, Business and Business Formations; Real Estate Transactions; Probate / Estates / Trusts and Wills; and Professional Negligence.
View Dwight’s calendar or check preferred dates across our panel.
To schedule a mediation, please contact Monica: monica@drc-ok.com
Dwight graduated from The University of Tulsa College Law School in 1981, with honors and has been in private practice since 1981. He was a solo practitioner from 2003 – 2022. He completed the prestigious Pepperdine University School of Law’s Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution Summer Professional Skills Program - A Systematic Approach to Mediation Strategies – in June, 2007 and the American Arbitration Association University’s Arbitration Fundamentals and Best Practices in January, 2011 and has been providing mediation and arbitration services since 2005. He is recognized by Super Lawyers (Business and Corporate) and Best Lawyers in America (Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law). He joined DRC as a mediator and arbitrator in 2020.
LAW PRACTICE
Of Counsel, Robinett Swartz & Duren, 2022 – present
Dwight L. Smith, P.L.L.C. 2003 - 2022
Levinson & Smith, P.L.L.P., 1985-03
Eller & Detrich, 1981-85
AREAS OF CONCENTRATION
Commercial transactions; commercial dispute resolution, including litigation and alternative dispute resolution
(mediation and arbitration); banking; wills, trusts, estates and probate
EDUCATION
University of Tulsa College of Law, Tulsa, Oklahoma J.D., May, 1981, with honors
University of Tulsa, Tulsa, Oklahoma
B.S., Mass Media News, May, 1978, with honors
Pepperdine University School of Law Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution
Summer Professional Skills Program - A Systematic Approach to Mediation Strategies - June, 2007
American Arbitration Association University
Arbitration Fundamental and Best Practices for New AAA Arbitrators - January, 2011
HONORS
Martindale-Hubble Peer Review Rating – AV Preeminent 1992 - present
Best Lawyers in America (Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law)
Oklahoma Super Lawyers (Business and Corporate)
Tulsa’s Top Lawyers – Tulsa People Magazine
PROFESSIONAL AND CIVIC ACTIVITIES
American Arbitration Association
Member of the AAA National Panel Arbitrators – 2011 - present
Tulsa County District Court
Adjunct Settlement Judge, Project Early Settlement – May 2005 - Present
American Bar Association – Board of Election
Member, 2019-20 (Board of Governors Appointment)
American Bar Association – Veteran’s Legal Services Commission
Co-Chair, 2016-17 (Presidential Appointment)
American Bar Association – House of Delegates
Member, Resolution and Impact Review Committee, 2014-2015
Member, Committee on Rules & Calendar, 2009-2010
Member, Select Committee of the House, 2008-2009
Member, 1992-95; 1999-02; 2007-2016
American Bar Association - Commission on the Future of Legal Services
Member, 2014-2016 (Presidential Appointment)
American Bar Association - Standing Committee on the Delivery of Legal Services
Chair, 2013-14 (Presidential Appointment)
Member, 2012-13 (Presidential Appointment)
American Bar Association - Pricing Strategy Advisory Group
Member, 2013 (President & President-Elect Appointment)
American Bar Association - Standing Committee on Group and Prepaid Legal Services
Chair, 2009-12 (Presidential Appointment)
Opening Speaker, 2011, Denver, CO National Summit on The Future of Legal Service Plans: Expanding Access to
Justice for Persons of Modest Income – A Primer on Access to Justice for Persons of Modest Means Through
Legal Services Plans
American Bar Association – Standing Committee on Public Education
Chair, 2006-2009 (Presidential Appointment) Member, 2004-2006 (Presidential Appointment)
American Bar Association - Youth at Risk Commission (Presidential Initiative)
Chair, 2006-2007
American Bar Association – National Security Debates Enterprise Fund Project
Co-Chair, 2007-2008 (Joint Project ABA Standing Committees on Law and National Security and Public Education)
American Bar Association - General Practice, Solo and Small Firm Division (30,000+ Members)
Section Delegate to ABA House of Delegates: 1999-02; 2007-16
Chair, 2005-06
Chair-Elect, 2004-05
Vice-Chair, 2003-04
Secretary, 2002-03
Member, Governing Council, 1995-2016
Director, 2001-03
American Bar Association - Young Lawyers Division
Executive Council and Cabinet, 1990-95
Division Delegate to ABA House of Delegates, 1992-95
Director, Bar Leadership Development Project, 1991-92
Director, Affiliate Outreach Project, 1990-91
Affiliate Outreach Project, National Conferences, 1989-90
Contributing Author, Bar Leadership Handbook, 1990
YLD Liaison to the ABA Council of the Section of Legal Education & Admissions to the Bar, 1992-94
Delegate to numerous annual and mid-year meetings of the Division's Assembly, 1986-92
Oklahoma Bar Association
Member, Clients’ Security Fund, 2007 - 2010
Member, Resolutions Committee – 2006-2008
Member, Transition to Practice Committee, 2000
Member, Mandatory Post Admission Task Force, 1997-98
Chair, Long Range Planning Committee, 1994-96
Recipient, Outstanding Young Lawyer Award, 1989
Chair, Young Lawyers Division, 1988
Ex Officio Member, Board of Governors, 1988
Fellow, Oklahoma Bar Foundation
CLE Lecturer, Representing the Builder – Contract Considerations, 2010
CLE Lecturer, Client Intake and Conflicts: The Initial Interview, 2009
CLE Lecturer, Perfecting the Attorney Client Relationship: Communication and Contracts, 2005
CLE Lecturer, Symposium 2000: Creating the Future -- Leadership and Change, 2000
CLE Lecturer, Multi-Disciplinary Practice -- Friend or Foe, 1999
CLE Lecturer, Dealing with Parties - Clients, Attorneys and Judges, 1992-1999
CLE Lecturer, Communicating with Judges, 1991
Bench and Bar Committee, 1989-91
Board of Directors, Young Lawyers Division, 1985-89
Tulsa County Bar Association
CLE Lecturer, Maximizing Your Potential for Success at Mediation, 2017
Vice President and Member of Executive Committee, 1992-93
Secretary and Member of Executive Committee, 1991-92
Board of Directors, 1989-90; 1991-93, 1994-96
Delegate or Alternate Delegate to Oklahoma Bar House of Delegates, 1990-96; 2001-03
Long Range Planning Committee, 1993-94; 1996-97
Budget Committee, 1993-95
Mentor Committee, 1994-95
Grievance Committee, 1989-91
Recipient, Outstanding Young Lawyer Award, 1988
Law Day Committee, 1983-84
Charter Member, Tulsa County Bar Foundation
CLE Lecturer, Maximizing Your Potential for Success at Mediation, 2017
OTHER
Advisory Director, The Exchange Bank of Skiatook, 2010 - Present
Board of Directors, Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma, 2008-2019 (Oklahoma Bar Association Designee);
President 2015-16; Vice-President 2013 and 2014; Member Executive Committee, 2011-2017)
Chair, Tulsa Fund Drive for Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma, 2006-07
Co-Chair, Tulsa Fund Drive for Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma, 2003-05
President, Independent School District Number 8 (Sperry Public Schools) Board of Education, 1988-2008; Vice
President, 1987; Member, 1986-2008
Member, University of Tulsa Alumni Association (Tulsa Chapter) Board of Directors, 2007-2013
Member, Golden Hurricane Club Board of Directors (University of Tulsa Athletic Booster Club), 2013-15
Inductee -- Oklahoma State School Boards Association 2001 All-State School Board
Organizer and Charter Director, Sperry Public Schools Foundation, 1994-2008
Outstanding Alumni, Sperry Public Schools, 1996
Outstanding Citizen Award, Town of Sperry, Oklahoma, 2001 Board of Directors, Leadership Tulsa, 1993-96
Leadership Tulsa Class XIX, 1992-93
Board of Directors, American Judicature Society, 1992-94
W. Lee Johnson Chapter American Inns of Court Barrister, 1989-91
Municipal Court Judge, Sperry, Oklahoma, 1991-94
Skiatook Area Reservoir Authority Trustee, 1984-89
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