Trial Lawyers in Northern Kentucky and Cincinnati
Navigating the legal system can be confusing and overwhelming, but the team at the Law Offices of Shannon C. Smith, PLLC, is here to be your guide. We focus on excellent legal services, a client-centered approach to our cases, and timely communication. Our dedicated team is here to help you with all of your legal needs in Northern Kentucky, including Boone, Kenton, and Campbell Counties and throughout the Greater Cincinnati area.
At the Law Offices of Shannon C. Smith, PLLC, our attorneys have extensive experience in and knowledge of various aspects of the law. Some of the case types we take include:
To get more information on any of the above or to find out whether we can help with your case, contact our firm to schedule a free case evaluation.
Without a doubt, the Offices of Shannon C Smith are amazing!…
Our Team: Your Experienced Legal Advocates
Our firm was founded by Shannon C. Smith with the vision of putting clients first and focusing on delivering real results. Today, Shannon continues to lead our team, which includes:
Senior Attorney Shelby Campbell
Of Counsel Attorney Alex Freitag
Chris Kruse-Loredo, our Client Services Director
Our attorneys have a wide range of professional passions and life experiences that help them bring a well-rounded perspective to your case. They’re also involved in the local community, with Shannon serving as a local elected official and business owner.
Shannon is an award-winning attorney and serial entrepreneur known for her business and bourbon acumen.
She is particularly focused on ABC and TTB laws, vintage spirits laws, business formation and planning, general counsel services, business litigation, and estate planning. She is a Lawyer of Distinction, Super Lawyer, and recently a runner-up for Best of Cincinnati Lawyer.
Shelby L. Campbell joined Smith Law in 2021 and is a senior attorney practicing in the areas of employment law, discrimination law, ABC and TTB law, vintage spirits law, general counsel services, business litigation, landlord-tenant law, and estate planning.
Shelby graduated Cum Laude from Marshall University, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice.
We are excited to introduce our newest team member to Smith Law, Austin Blake Combs, known by his middle name, Blake.
Blake was born and raised in a town called Hazard located within Eastern Kentucky. Upon graduating from Hazard High School, he enrolled in a local community college. After getting his associate’s degree, he transferred to Eastern Kentucky University,
Alex joins us as Of Counsel practicing primarily in the areas of civil litigation, business, estate planning, and personal injury.
Alex graduated with honors from Michigan State University, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and History. Upon graduation from Michigan State, Alex attended the University of Cincinnati College of Law.
Meet Chris Kruse, our Client Services Director! Chris joins our team bringing 20+ years of managerial and financial experience from such roles as Director of Finance at local colleges as well as years of bookkeeping from her role at Northand Volkswagen.
Chris runs our day to day operations, manages our staff, oversee our accounts payable and receivable, and is helping revamp our media and marketing presence.
What Happens If My Case Goes to Trial?
We do everything we can to protect our clients’ interests, and sometimes, that requires taking a case to trial instead of settling out of court. For civil cases, this means that we work on gathering evidence and witness testimony to support your claim and show how the other party was in the wrong.
Clients who come to us with criminal defense cases get tenacious representation as we fight to ensure their rights are preserved through the entire process. We are always prepared to defend our clients in trial in front of a jury of their peers.
When we work with clients, we understand that the legal decisions happening have an immediate and significant impact on their futures — for better or worse. We strive to provide customized legal representation and focus on what’s important to our clients so we can help them meet those goals.
In the legal industry, results matter. Our clients need to know that we have a strong track record of success, whether it’s negotiating divorce settlements or protecting assets from probate through strategic estate planning. We believe our results and our satisfied client testimonials speak for themselves.
Our clients come to us because they need assistance with complex legal matters. And this is why you won’t hear us using complex legal jargon when we’re discussing your case. We break down the relevant legal statutes into clear, everyday language, so you understand exactly what’s going on with your case and what to expect as it moves forward.
Your time is important, and you need fast answers to legal questions and issues that arise in your case. That’s why our firm guarantees a 24-hour response time for our clients. We won’t leave you wondering if your message got through or waiting days to get an answer or update on your case.
At the Law Offices Shannon C. Smith, PLLC, our team is prepared to provide general counsel as well as representation in litigation. We always advocate for what’s best for our clients. Sometimes, that’s an out-of-court settlement or mediation attempt, but in others, it may be a trial, and we are always prepared to take a case to court.
Our attorneys are involved and invested in the Northern Kentucky community and the surrounding area. Our founding attorney is a local elected official and business owner, which makes our firm uniquely suited to help other entrepreneurs and business people in Boone, Kenton, and Campbell Counties.
When we work with clients, we understand that the legal decisions happening have an immediate and significant impact on their futures — for better or worse. We strive to provide customized legal representation and focus on what’s important to our clients so we can help them meet those goals.
In the legal industry, results matter. Our clients need to know that we have a strong track record of success, whether it’s negotiating divorce settlements or protecting assets from probate through strategic estate planning. We believe our results and our satisfied client testimonials speak for themselves.
Our clients come to us because they need assistance with complex legal matters. And this is why you won’t hear us using complex legal jargon when we’re discussing your case. We break down the relevant legal statutes into clear, everyday language, so you understand exactly what’s going on with your case and what to expect as it moves forward.
Your time is important, and you need fast answers to legal questions and issues that arise in your case. That’s why our firm guarantees a 24-hour response time for our clients. We won’t leave you wondering if your message got through or waiting days to get an answer or update on your case.
At the Law Offices Shannon C. Smith, PLLC, our team is prepared to provide general counsel as well as representation in litigation. We always advocate for what’s best for our clients. Sometimes, that’s an out-of-court settlement or mediation attempt, but in others, it may be a trial, and we are always prepared to take a case to court.
Our attorneys are involved and invested in the Covington community and the surrounding area. Our founding attorney is a local elected official and business owner, which makes our firm uniquely suited to help other entrepreneurs and business people throughout Kenton County.
How Do I Find an Experienced Attorney?
There are numerous attorneys in Northern Kentucky, but how do you determine which firm to work with? Recommendations from friends and family can only get you so far, and you’ll need to do some research on your own and meet with a few firms. Ask questions when you meet with the attorney for the first time, such as how much experience they have in this area and what their success rate is.
Our firm offers free case evaluations, and we’re confident that you’ll find that we are among the most experienced and knowledgeable about the practice areas we work in.
The Benefits of Working With the Law Offices of Shannon C. Smith, PLLC
At the Law Offices of Shannon C. Smith, PLLC, we stand out from the competition by focusing on our clients and delivering real results. That’s why our slogan is “Client Focused. Results Driven.” Clients who choose to hire our firm get the benefit of experienced legal representation, empathetic counsel, and clear and timely communication.
The Law Offices of Shannon C. Smith, PLLC, are located in Covington, KY. The firm is centrally located, just 2 miles from Devou Park and just 22 minutes from the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden. The Law Offices of Shannon C. Smith, PLLC serves clients in Boone, Kenton, and Campbell Counties and throughout Northern Kentucky and the Greater Cincinnati area.
Get help with all your legal needs when you contact the Law Offices of Shannon C. Smith, PLLC, at 859-667-1204 today. We offer a free case evaluation to help you get started.
What Do I Need to Form a Business?
What you need to start your own business depends on the business structure you’re planning on using. For example, you don’t usually need any specific paperwork to operate a sole proprietorship, although you may need to register your business with the state or get a license, depending on the industry. More complicated structures, such as S corps or C corps, have more requirements, which could include having articles of incorporation, having a board of directors, and more complicated tax filings. It’s always important to work with a business formation attorney when you are considering starting your own enterprise to ensure that you are abiding by the laws and understand what’s required of you.
How Difficult Is It to Get a Liquor License?
Obtaining a liquor license is required before you can manufacture, sell, or distribute alcohol. However, the state of Kentucky has 84 different liquor licenses, which means that this process can be more complicated than many business owners assume. In general, you will need to work with the Department of Alcohol Beverage Control to determine what licenses are required. You will need to apply for the applicable licenses and determine what your local city or municipal ordinances require. Liquor licenses must also be renewed regularly to ensure your business can continue to operate seamlessly.
Can I Sue a Contractor for Poor Quality Work?
If you paid a contractor to perform work and that work was not up to the quality promised, it is possible to pursue a legal claim against the contractor. In these cases, the property owner is generally asking the courts to award any funds they already paid back to them in damages as well as any costs they incurred in having to fix the contractor’s work. However, what options you have often depends on what was written in the contract — or whether you have a contract at all. An attorney can help you understand what legal recourse you may have against a poor contractor and help you pursue your claim.
Do I Need a Lawyer If My Divorce Is Amicable?
It’s tempting to try to save money by foregoing an attorney if you and your soon-to-be ex are in agreement on the terms of your divorce. However, this generally isn’t a good idea. First, it’s very common for amicable divorces to turn contentious as the process continues. Many couples split with the intention of working together and co-parenting civilly through and after the divorce, but when one party starts dating, or the reality of dividing assets hits, this can change rapidly. Working with an attorney from the beginning ensures you have someone on your side who is ready to shift if the divorce changes from mediation to a trial.
How Do I Set Up an Estate Plan?
Creating an estate plan is something many people put off, but it’s a relatively quick and simple process once you get started. First, you’ll meet with an estate planning attorney to go over what assets you have and what you want to happen to them after you pass. Your attorney will go through the different options, such as trusts, powers of attorney, and monetary gifts, to help you determine a combination of tools that suits your needs and goals. Creating a will is as simple as outlining your wishes, naming an executor, and then signing the document in the presence of witnesses.
What Should I Do If I’ve Been Charged With a Crime?
Being charged with a crime is scary, and it’s normal to be worried about what might happen or what evidence the police have against you. However, it’s important to stay calm and think strategically. Remember your rights, and request to speak to an attorney as soon as possible. Don’t answer any questions without an attorney present, even if you haven’t done anything wrong. Officers are allowed to lie to you about evidence or other aspects of the case in an attempt to get you to confess or share details, so it’s important that you have a legal advocate with you to ensure your rights are protected.
What Is the Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Cases?
Most legal claims have a statute of limitations that sets a time limit on how long you have to file a lawsuit against another party after something has happened. Most personal injury cases have a statute of limitations of one year in the state of Kentucky. The exception to this is car accident claims, which have a statute of limitations of 2 years. The clock begins on the date of the incident. However, there are some exceptions. If the victim was under the age of 18 or was not mentally competent at the time of the accident, the clock starts when the person turns 18 or is no longer incapacitated.
Should an Attorney Review a Contract Before I Sign It?
Contracts are a sometimes-daily part of doing business, but that doesn’t mean that you should treat them casually. Any time you are signing a contract, you are entering into a legally binding business agreement that can be enforced through the court system. To avoid putting your business — or yourself — at risk, you should always have an attorney review any contracts you are sending out or receiving. An experienced contract attorney can help you spot potential issues within a contract and suggest changes to ensure your interests are protected. These attorneys can also generally help with contract drafting and negotiations.