About Donald H
Donald H Smith built a legal path that began in the liberal arts classroom and led to the courtroom. He earned a B.A. in psychology and sociology from Hope College in 1993. A decade later he graduated from Michigan State University College of Law, receiving his J.D. in 2002.
His early career included time in public service. In 2006 he joined the Kalamazoo County Prosecutor’s Office as a prosecutor. There he handled matters on the prosecutorial side of the criminal justice system and gained courtroom experience that would shape his later work.
After several years in public service, Smith moved into private practice. He joined Willis Law and rose to partner in 2012. The change from prosecutor to private attorney put him on the other side of many courtroom dynamics, and he carried his trial experience into civil and criminal litigation handled by the firm.
Colleagues describe Smith as practical and direct in the courtroom. He favors careful preparation and concise argument. He has worked on cases that require detailed factual development and an ability to present complex information clearly to judges and juries. His background in psychology and sociology informs how he approaches witness preparation and jury themes.
Smith practices from Willis Law’s offices and handles matters that involve litigation and trial work. He spends much of his time preparing cases for hearings and trials, working with clients, and coordinating with colleagues across the firm’s locations. He is known within the firm for steady management of contentious cases and for translating courtroom experience into case strategy.
Outside the courtroom he maintains ties to legal education through occasional speaking and mentoring of younger lawyers at his firm. He remains involved in the everyday practice of law, balancing casework and the administrative duties that come with partnership. As of 2026 he practices at Willis Law, handling litigation and courtroom matters informed by his years as a prosecutor.
