About Doug
Doug Smith trained first as an economist before turning to law. He earned a B.A. in Economics from Kenyon College in 1983 and completed his J.D. at Capital University Law School in 1986. Those academic years set the groundwork for a career split between military service and civilian practice.
He entered the legal profession amid a long association with the armed services. He serves as a judge advocate in the United States Marine Corps and holds the rank of Captain. He also serves as a judge advocate in the Air National Guard. Those roles have kept him connected to military justice and the procedures that govern service members.
Beyond service duties, he maintains bar membership in California. He also holds membership related to federal military and veterans appellate practice, listing ties to the Armed Forces Court of Appeals and the Court of Appeals for Veteran Claims. That combination of bar membership and appellate access allows him to represent clients before specialized tribunals as well as in state matters.
In private practice he operates Smith Law Offices, APC. The firm handles cases that draw on his military legal background as well as on the skills lawyers acquire in civilian courts. He has balanced courtroom work, administrative filings, and counsel to clients navigating benefits and disciplinary processes. His work has required familiarity with procedural rules and an ability to switch between military and civilian systems of law.
Colleagues and clients have noted his steady presence in hearings and briefings. He moves easily from the technical language of military regulations to the ordinary concerns of veterans and service members pursuing claims or appealing decisions. The practical demands of those matters shape how he approaches case preparation and advocacy.
He continues to combine his military roles with the demands of private practice. At Smith Law Offices, APC, he handles cases that arise at the intersection of military law and veterans’ benefits, along with related appeals and regulatory matters. He practices at Smith Law Offices, APC, addressing military law, veterans appeals, and related matters.
