Al Smith, a partner in the firm's Corporate practice, has more than 35 years of experience in the areas of commercial and finance transactions, bankruptcy, insolvency, and reorganization.
He works with numerous companies, including, The Boeing Company, Weinstein Beverage Company, and various private equity funds, on financing and transactional matters. He has represented, among others, London Fog Group, Troutman's Emporium, Vanalco, Vann's, Jore Corporation, and Pederson's Fryer Farms as Chapter 11 debtors, and also represents secured creditors, unsecured creditors, debtors, committees, PACA claimants, asset purchasers, and other constituencies in bankruptcies, receiverships and other in-court and out-of-court insolvency proceedings.
Ranked by Chambers USA 15 Years in a Row
Bankruptcy/Restructuring
Professional Recognition
- Ranked in Chambers USA "America's Leading Lawyers" for >Bankruptcy/Restructuring, 2008 – 2023
- Listed in the Lawdragon 500 Leading U.S. Bankruptcy and Restructuring Lawyers, 2020, 2022 – 2023
- Named Best Lawyers’ Seattle "Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law Lawyer of the Year," 2018
- Listed in Best Lawyers in America: Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, 2013 – 2024
- Listed in Super Lawyers Magazine, “Washington’s Super Lawyers," 2002 – 2023
- Certified as Business Bankruptcy Specialist, American Board of Bankruptcy Certification, 2002 – present
- Recognized by The M&A Advisor for work on the "Restructuring Deal of the Year" in the $100M - $250MM category. The firm's representation of Easterday Ranches, Inc. and Easterday Farms in their sale to Farmland Reserve, Inc. earned the recognition.
- Peer Review Rated AV in Martindale-Hubbell
(AV®, BV® and CV® are registered certification marks of Reed Elsevier Properties Inc., used in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies.)
Professional Leadership
- American Bankruptcy Institute
- Turnaround Management Association, Northwest Chapter, President, 1999 – 2000; Board, 1998 – 2002
- The Journal of Corporate Renewal, Editorial Advisory Board, 2002 – 2006
- Page Ahead, formerly Books for Kids, President, 1999 – 2000; Board, 1996 – 2002; Finance Committee, 1996 – 2007
- Leadership Tomorrow, Class of 2000
- IslandWood, formerly Puget Sound Environmental Learning Center; Board, 2005 – 2016; Executive Committee, 2007 – 2013; Chair of the Finance Committee, 2007 – 2013, Finance Committee, 2002 – present
- Eastside Human Services Coalition, Board, 2010 – present
- United Way of King County, Campaign Cabinet 2003 – 2005; Board, 2005 – 2011; Community Building Committee, 2004 – 2012; Vice Chair of the Community Building Committee, 2006 – 2007; Chair of the Community Building Committee, 2008 – 2010
Related Employment
- Perkins Coie LLP, Los Angeles, Partner 1991 – 1995; Seattle, Partner, 1995 – present
- Tuttle & Taylor, Los Angeles, Officer, 1985 – 1991; Associate, 1981 – 1985
Clerkships
- Hon. Irving Hill, U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, 1979 - 1981