W. Roger Smith, III

Roger Smith started his journey at Beasley Allen in 2001. He focuses on a variety of cases, including Kratom, Acetaminophen, and Depo-Provera.

Roger’s passion for the law was sparked in high school, thanks to his mock trial coach, John Rogers. That early exposure lit a fire in him to pursue a career where he could make a real difference. Since then, Roger has built an impressive legal career. He’s been recognized by Best Lawyers every year since 2012 and named to Mid-South Super Lawyers since 2018. In 2015, he earned the title of Lawyer of the Year for Mass Torts at Beasley Allen—an honor that reflects his dedication to justice and client advocacy.

A champion for complex cases involving dangerous drugs and medical devices, Roger has been instrumental in securing billions of dollars in settlements for clients harmed by unsafe medications, including the $4.85 billion Vioxx and $2.4 billion Actos settlements. He has also led multi-million-dollar cases involving drugs like Rezulin, Yaz/Yasmin, and Fleet Phospho-soda. Currently, Roger serves as lead counsel on the Science & Expert Committee for the national acetaminophen autism/ADHD litigation—one of today’s most urgent public health challenges, and on the Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee for the national Depo Provera litigation. He’s also a strong advocate for victims of unregulated herbal supplements, which, in the case of Kratom, can cause addiction and even death. For Roger, being a lawyer means protecting the public and standing up for what’s right.

Beyond the courtroom, Roger serves on the Friends of the Freedom Rides Museum board in Montgomery, Alabama, preserving the legacy of civil rights heroes. He also supports future legal professionals through his work with Auburn University Montgomery’s Paralegal Studies Advisory Committee.

Outside of the courtroom, Roger enjoys spending time with his family. His daughters, all college-age, are spread across three different schools in three states, which means a lot of family and dad weekend visits. He also enjoys spending time on the pickleball court with great friends. 

Education

Roger graduated with honors from the University of Alabama School of Law in 1997 and earned his B.A. from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, in 1994.

Before joining Beasley Allen, Roger worked in private law firms and as an in-house counsel for a publicly traded company, handling regulatory compliance. 

Licenses

• Georgia (2022)
• Pennsylvania (2012)
• West Virginia (2005)
• Mississippi (2003)
• Minnesota (2002)
• Alabama (2002)
• Tennessee (2001)
• Arizona (1997)