Stites & Harbison, PLLC

Emily Smith has a wide-ranging practice that includes contract disputes, business torts, and complex commercial and real property litigation. She also works on trust and estate cases.

Recent Assignments

• Assisting with defense of national movie theater operator against claim of building encroachment and breach of land lease
• Represent McDonald's Corporation in bond default litigation filed against it by local Board of Supervisors
• Assisted with representation of the developer of Belmont Bay in enforcing special use permit conditions and restrictive covenants against pubic company homebuilder and defending counterclaims for business conspiracy and tortious interference based upon developer's public opposition to governmental approval of builder's site plan amendments.  The case settled with a consent injunction against builder's change in use.
• Defended local corporation against alleged violations of the Virginia Securities Act.  Successfully negotiated $0 settlement of the case, with only structural concessions in the corporation.
• Obtained summary dismissal of breach of contract and defamation claims filed by a former employee against a local business and its owner
• Obtained summary judgment in favor of four defendants sued for trademark infringement, unfair competition and copyright infringement in the United States District Court for the District of Hawaii
• Successfully obtained permanent injunctive relief for two large property owner's associations against member owners who were violating the associations' restrictive covenants and conditions by creating hazardous conditions on common elements
• Served as second chair in the successful defense of an executrix against claims that she unduly influenced her mother, who suffered from mild cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer's type dementia, to substantially disinherit her brother

Recent Speaking Engagements and Publications

• "The Jordan Free Trade Agreement: Free Trade and The Environment," 27 Wm. & Mary Envtl. L. & Pol'y. Rev. 509 (Winter, 2002)

Before Stites & Harbison

Prior to joining Stites & Harbison Emily was a litigation associate at a leading Virginia law firm, Rees Broome, P.C. Prior to Rees Broome, Emily served as a law clerk to Judge Robert W. Wooldridge of the Fairfax County Circuit Court from 2003 to 2004.

More Than Stites & Harbison

Emily volunteers her time and experience as an attorney by participating in several pro bono programs run by the Northern Virginia Pro Bono Law Center and Legal Services of Northern Virginia.  Emily also volunteers as "Senior Counsel" to mentor first year students at William & Mary law school who want to consult with a practicing attorney in their area of interest.

Besides Stites & Harbison

Emily is an avid sports fan; she enjoys running, fishing, playing soccer and flag football. In addition Emily enjoys reading and attending Washington Nationals games with her husband and daughter.