HAWAII - Key Persons
Personal History of David Eugene Smith: During law school I had to work part-time as I was paying my own way through school so I worked part-time with one of the most well-known and flamboyant lawyers in New Orleans, Louisiana, Mr. Jack Martzell. This experience had a profound and lasting impact on me as I got to see what it meant to help people who had their lives completely shattered by a serious or catastrophic personal injury. Upon graduating law school in 1985, like many young attorneys fresh out of school, I initially went to work for a large insurance defense law firm because at the time it seemed like the most secure job. However, within a few short years, I realized that my true passion and calling was representing those that had been severely injured or wronged by others. Therefore, in 1989 I moved to Hawaii and I began working for a medium sized law firm where my primary practice was representing people that had been severely or catastrophically injured. Over the course of my legal career I have represented injured clients in many different types of serious personal injury matters. I have also personally handled numerous multi-million dollar cases and disputes and I have extensive experience handling complex business and real estate matters, commercial and civil litigation matters, probate, guardianships and conservatorships. As a result, I have the rare combination of experience representing insurance companies and businesses and over twenty-five (25) years representing individuals that have been severely injured.
I have been a resident and active community member of Kailua Kona, Hawaii for over twenty-five (25) years. Before moving to Hawaii and representing Plaintiffs in serious personal injury matters, I spent over three (3) years with a large insurance defense firm in New Orleans, Louisiana so I know how insurance companies and adjustors think, how they analyze cases and what it takes to obtain the maximum recovery. After moving to Kailua Kona, Hawaii in 1989, I worked for approximately five (5) years as an associate with the medium sized law firm of Gallup & Van Pernis, and then for approximately ten (10) years as a partner in the law firm of Van Pernis, Smith & Vancil where my primary practice focused on serious personal injury matters. In 2007 and 2008 I served in a special "Of Counsel" position with one of the oldest and largest law firms in Hawaii, Carlsmith, Ball, LLP. Over the last ten years, I have managed my own law practice where my primary focus has been handling serious and catastrophic personal injury matters along with some business, real estate and estate planning matters.