"It’s great to be a part of a firm with an excellent reputation for legal work. The diversity of practice areas and experience at LHSE benefits my practice immeasurably."

Jeffrey L. Smoot Associate

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Practice Emphasis

Jeff Smoot’s practice focuses on litigation, collections, bankruptcy, and employment.

Jeff took a nontraditional approach to the study of law, undertaking a legal clerkship under Washington State Bar Association Rule 6 as a Law Clerk, following in the footsteps of American historical figures such as Thomas Jefferson and Abraham Lincoln, who also became lawyers by “reading the law.” Prior to joining Lasher Holzapfel Sperry & Ebberson as an associate, Jeff worked for the firm for 18 years as a litigation paralegal.

Jeff is a noted outdoor adventure writer and photographer, having published numerous articles in magazines such as Climbing, Mountain, Rock & Ice and Outside, as well as several guidebooks on hiking and climbing in the Pacific Northwest. Jeff received acknowledgement as a contributing author in Jon Krakauer’s Into Thin Air.

Named Rising Star in 2010 by Washington Law & Politics.

Practice Areas

Education

Bachelor of Science, 2002, City University
Rule 6 Law Clerk Program Graduate, 2007, Washington State Bar Association

Representative Cases

Foreclosure—On behalf of a victim of mortgage fraud, Jeff successfully negotiated a rescission of mortgage allowing his client to avoid foreclosure without filing lawsuit or bankruptcy.
Consumer Protection Act Litigation—Representing a business owner, Jeff successfully defended a customer’s suit for fraud and violation of the consumer protection act, obtaining dismissal of all claims on summary judgment.
Employment Discrimination--Jeff represented a wrongfully discharged employee and negotiated settlement of a race discrimination claim at mediation.
Construction Litigation—Representing a general contractor, Jeff successfully defended a subcontractor's suit for contract and quantum meruit damages. He recovered attorney's fees and costs at arbitration.
Lien Foreclosure—Representing a home owner, Jeff successfully defended a subcontractor’s suit for contract and quantum meruit damages. He recovered both attorney’s fees and costs on a summary judgment that challenged the validity and amount of the contractor’s lien.
Medical Benefits Appeal—Jeff represented a health care plan member whose coverage was improperly terminated. He successfully appealed a denial of benefits, resulting in a retroactive reinstatement of full benefits for his client.