Brian Smith

Biography

Brian has been an integral part of our firm since 2011 and currently serves as the Managing Attorney of our Disability Practice. He leads a team dedicated to helping individuals secure disability benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA), the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB). Brian is deeply involved in each case from the moment it’s opened through resolution, bringing a hands-on approach to every stage of the process.

With more than 2,500 administrative law judge (ALJ) hearings under his belt, Brian has represented Social Security Disability (SSD/SSI) claimants at every administrative level—including initial application, reconsideration, hearings, and Appeals Council—as well as in federal court. He has also represented veterans in proceedings before decision review officers (DROs) and veterans law judges (VLJs), and railroad workers before RRB hearing officers.

Education

Brian’s work ethic was shaped early through a variety of jobs in high school and college—ranging from farmhand to call center representative. While earning his Master of Public Administration from Troy University, he worked full-time as a credit union teller and new account representative, attending night classes to complete his degree.

His career in disability law began at the Disability Determination Service (DDS) in Birmingham, where he evaluated over 1,000 SSDI and SSI claims. He later earned his Juris Doctorate from the Birmingham School of Law, which laid the foundation for his legal career at Wettermark Keith.

Notable Case

Brown v. Social Security Administration, No. 21-13336 (11th Cir. 2022)

Professional Memberships

• American Association for Justice

• Alabama Association for Justice (Chair, Social Security Caucus)

• Birmingham Bar Association

• National Organization of Social Security Claimants Representatives (Sustaining Member)

• National Association of Disability Representatives

• National Organization of Veterans’ Advocates, Inc.

• Alabama Veteran, Advisory Board Member (2022)

• National Association of Disability Examiners (2007–2011)

Honors and Awards

• Advocates, Counselors, and Representatives for the Disabled – Top 100 (2024)

• Social Security Disability Leadership – Top 100 (2022, 2023)

• Super Lawyers Mid-South Rising Stars (2017–2023)