The Philadelphia office of global law firm Greenberg Traurig, LLP has added trial lawyer Keith E. Smith as a shareholder in its Litigation Practice, which is more than 600 lawyers strong firmwide. Smith joins from Eckert Seamans.

“Keith was attracted to GT’s established footprint in class action defense and products liability litigation. We are confident that he is a great fit for GT’s entrepreneurial and collaborative culture. He has already had the opportunity to bring in other GT litigation lawyers on several national cases. GT’s platform and footprint is the right fit for professionals like Keith who are leaders in their field and want to develop further their already robust practices.” said Michael L. Lehr, a regional operating shareholder resident in the firm’s Philadelphia office, and Curtis B. Toll, the office’s operating shareholder. “Keith brings real synergies to the office’s Litigation and Environmental Practices. He is currently serving as national counsel for a large industrial manufacturer of fire-fighting foam alleged to contain perfluorinated compounds, which the EPA has designated as emerging contaminants, and as class action counsel for a Global 200 conglomerate in advertising and labeling litigation.”

Smith focuses his practice on the defense of national class actions, commercial litigation, and products liability. He has wide-ranging experience as a both an advisor and trial counsel for regional, national, and international clients.

“Greenberg Traurig’s dynamic and award-winning Litigation Practice is a point of pride for the firm and we are very excited about the opportunity to add Keith’s experience and vision to the wide-ranging and multi-national litigation resources we offer clients in key markets and industries,” said shareholders Lori Cohen and Jeff Scott, co-chairs of the firm’s Global Litigation Practice.

Smith also represents energy resellers in variable rate energy and TCPA class actions and manufacturers in class actions alleging product defect, warranty, consumer fraud, premature wear, product misrepresentations, and antitrust violations. He has represented national and international manufacturers of commercial and industrial machinery, plumbing products, consumer products, automobiles and component parts, food and food products, tobacco, textiles, and alloy, carbon, and composite piping.

“Greenberg Traurig’s reputation in the litigation arena, combined with its cultural values, practice and geographic diversity, and responsible management made this team the clear choice for my clients and my practice,” Smith said. “I look forward to contributing to the firm and my clients have a great deal to benefit from the talent here.”

Smith received his J.D. in 1992 from Villanova University School of Law where he was a member of the Villanova Law Review, and his B.A. in 1989 from Villanova University. He is a member of the Defense Research Institute, where he served as Membership Chair of the Class Action Specialized Litigation Group. He served as president of the Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law, Board of Advisors, 2016-2017.