About Sarah Bean
Sarah Bean Smith is an attorney admitted to practice in Tennessee and the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee. She built her courtroom experience early, then moved into a steady role at a Chattanooga-area firm where she has practiced for more than a decade. Colleagues describe her as methodical and steady in court and at the negotiation table.
Smith began gaining practical legal experience while still in law school. In 2011 she interned at the Blount County Public Defender's Office, where she observed client intake, case preparation and courtroom procedure. The following year she returned to private practice as an intern at Costner & Greene. Those placements gave her exposure to both public defense work and the operational side of a midsize law firm.
In 2013 Smith joined Costner & Greene as an associate attorney. She has maintained her position at the firm since then. Her role there has included drafting pleadings, conducting legal research and representing clients in hearings. Over time she took on greater responsibility in managing files and preparing cases for trial or settlement. She is admitted in Tennessee and to the federal court for the Eastern District of Tennessee, which allows her to appear on a range of state and federal matters.
Smith’s practice has involved litigation and courtroom appearances, along with pretrial work and client counseling. She handles motions, evidentiary matters and procedural matters that arise in both state and federal proceedings. Her work requires regular interaction with judges, court staff and opposing counsel. She also spends time preparing the factual and legal groundwork that underpins settlement talks when those options are appropriate.
Those who have worked with Smith note her steadiness under pressure. She favors clear written work and concise oral argument. She approaches cases by breaking them into discrete tasks and setting timelines to keep progress measurable. That pragmatic style guides how she prepares clients for hearings and how she coordinates with colleagues at her firm.
Smith continues to practice at Costner & Greene Lawyers At Law. She represents clients in Tennessee courts and appears in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee on matters arising from her firm’s caseload.
