Robert J. Smith

Robert J. Smith is a retired senior partner of Morgan Lewis & Bockius LLP, an international law firm with more than 2,000 lawyers worldwide. During his 42 years with the firm, he established an internationally recognized labor and employment practice representing national and international corporations, organizations, and governmental agencies in the defense of federal and state class and collective actions and other related employment, labor relations, and contract compliance matters. During his tenure with the firm, he served in a variety of firm-wide leadership positions as well as the managing partner for the firm’s Washington D.C., and Northern Virginia offices.

Mr. Smith’s accomplishments as a lawyer have been recognized by his election as a Fellow in the College of Labor and Employment Lawyers and  the American Bar Foundation and his repeated recognition by International Who’s Who in Labour and Employment Law, The Guide to the World’s Leading Labour and Employment Lawyers, International Who’s Who in Business Law, Chambers USA, Best Lawyers in America, and the Washington Area “Super Lawyers’ among other honors.

Bob graduated from Mount St. Mary’s College in Emmitsburg, Maryland, and received his master’s degree from Cornell University’s School of Industrial Relations and law degree from the Georgetown University Law Center. Before entering law school, he was employed by Texas Instruments, Incorporated, in a variety of corporate industrial relations and human resources functions.

Bob is a member of the Order of Malta and in addition to his service on the Board of Catholic Distance University, he serves on the Boards of the Virginia Catholic Conference, Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Arlington, Mount St. Mary’s Seminary, and on the Governance Committee of Mount St. Mary’s University. Previously he served on the Boards of Mount St. Mary’s University where he received an Honorary Doctorate, Marymount University, St. Coletta School of Washington, Friends of the National Zoo (FONZ), and St. Paul VI High School.

Bob and his wife Lauren reside in Great Falls, Virginia. They have three children and spend their time doting on their eight grandchildren.