Reynolds Frizzell LLP

Commercial Litigation

Partner

Nathan Smith has a remarkable track record of translating his clients’ stories into effective arguments for why the law entitles them to prevail. Sophisticated clients and colleagues rely on Nathan when cases are complicated and when every word matters on the most critical briefs. His strategic thinking and strong writing have allowed Nathan to build an impressive record of resolving cases efficiently and to his clients’ advantage, often before trial.

Nathan has represented plaintiffs and defendants in federal, state, and arbitration proceedings, with clients from diverse industries such as energy, healthcare, and private equity.  His cases frequently have required him to analyze and interpret crucial contracts, including merger and acquisition instruments, long-term indemnity agreements, intellectual property licenses, and contracts concerning oil and gas exploration, production, gathering, and processing.  He also has experience with a variety of other business claims, including tortious interference, fiduciary duty, fraud, and intellectual property claims.

Repeatedly honored as a Rising Star in the Texas legal market, Nathan has devoted much of his career to tackling complex cases with substantial sums at issue.  At the same time, some of his most rewarding engagements involved stakes that were smaller in dollar amounts, but which nonetheless were pivotal to the financial future of an individual or an emerging company.

Nathan has lived in Germany and has leveraged his German language skills to represent German clients and handle cases that involved German witnesses and German-language documents.

Nathan is committed to community service and professional leadership. He currently serves, for example, on the Greater Houston Partnership Education Committee, is Chapter Chair of the Houston Chapter of the J. Reuben Clark Law Society, and is a Sustaining Life Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation.

Nathan served as a law clerk for Judge David C. Godbey of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas and for Judge Jennifer Walker Elrod of the United States Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.

English, German

Texas Bar Foundation, Sustaining Life Fellow Greater Houston Partnership, Education Committee Member J. Reuben Clark Law Society, Houston Chapter, Chapter Chair (previously Vice Chair) German American Chamber of Commerce, Firm Liaison National Eagle Scout Association, Life Member Sam Houston Area Council Boy Scout Troop 47, Troop Committee Chair Houston Bar Association, including Litigation and Appellate Sections Federalist Society

University of Chicago Law School J.D., with Honors, 2004 Robert S. Fiffer Scholar; Hinton Cup Winner (First Place, moot court competition), 2002-2003; Co-Chair, Moot Court Board, 2003-2004 Brigham Young University B.A., German, summa cum laude, 2001 University Honors; Trustees Scholar; Karl G. Maeser and Edwin S. Hinckley Scholar; Humanities Convocation Speaker; Phi Kappa Phi