Litigator Derek Smith Joins Barnes & Thornburg’s Esteemed Product Liability and Mass Torts Group
March 26, 2026
Source: Barnes & Thornburg
Experienced trial lawyer strengthens firm’s product liability, environmental and class action defense capabilities
Barnes & Thornburg announced today the arrival of Derek Smith as a partner in the Litigation Department, a move that bolsters the firm’s Product Liability and Mass Torts practice and further expands the Chicago office following the addition of Elizabeth Davis earlier this month in the Corporate Department.
Smith brings more than two decades of experience defending numerous clients in product liability and toxic tort matters in federal and state courts across the United States. He also regularly provides counsel on environmental, health and safety matters, and defends national and international chemical and pharmaceutical companies against individual, mass and class-based claims.
"Derek is a terrific lawyer who clients turn to for their most challenging trials," said Litigation Department Chair Randy Brown. "His sophisticated experience defending pharmaceutical, chemical, and industrial clients in high-stakes mass tort and environmental litigation strengthens our capabilities in areas of critical importance to our clients. Derek's track record as national counsel in complex, multijurisdictional matters demonstrates the strategic thinking and trial skills our clients demand."
Smith's representative matters demonstrate the breadth and complexity of his practice. He has served as national counsel for multiple coal, coke, and chemical companies in nationwide litigation involving alleged occupational exposure to coal tar pitch volatiles at aluminum smelters and carbon electrode manufacturing facilities, as well as occupational exposure to emissions at historical coke ovens in the United States. He has also defended those companies against claims involving alleged environmental contamination or personal injury from exposure to coal tar payment sealer, roofing tar, creosote, pentachlorophenol, dioxins, furans or chromated copper arsenate (CCA)-treated wood.
Smith’s experience also extends to the pharmaceutical industry, where he has devoted his career to defending clients in individual, mass and class actions involving a variety of over-the-counter and prescription medications. More recently, Smith has developed a robust PFAS practice, both defending clients in litigation and regulatory enforcement actions involving alleged environmental contamination and personal injury associated with PFAS-contaminated drinking water, and counseling clients on — and helping clients mitigate — potential risks associated with the use, handling, sale and distribution of PFAS and PFAS-containing materials.
Smith previously was a partner at Venable. He earned his law degree from the University of Cincinnati College of Law and his bachelor’s degree from the University of Toledo.
"Derek's arrival reflects our continued investment in building a best-in-class litigation practice in Chicago,” said Michael Carrillo, managing partner of the firm's Chicago office. “His deep experience in product liability litigation and environmental contamination matters positions us to better serve clients navigating some of the most pressing legal challenges facing manufacturers and industrial companies today. Beyond his legal acumen, Derek's commitment to pro bono work and community involvement embodies the values we champion at Barnes & Thornburg. We're proud to have him join our Chicago team."
Smith is deeply committed to pro bono work and community service. He participates in the National Veterans Legal Service Program and has served as former pro bono counsel for Hobson Cooperative Nursery School in Naperville, Ill. He also previously served on the advisory board of KidsMatter and as a founding member of Ambassadors of Mercy for the Mercy Home for Boys and Girls, both Chicago-based children's charities.
"I'm thrilled to join Barnes & Thornburg and become part of such a dynamic litigation team," said Smith. "The firm's values, collaborative culture, national platform and deep bench of talented trial lawyers align perfectly with how I approach client service. I was particularly drawn to Barnes & Thornburg's esteemed Product Liability and Mass Torts Group — not only because of the scope of sophisticated matters it handles for major clients in a variety of industries, but also the group’s ability to service those clients across multiple offices and jurisdictions. The Chicago office’s size and tremendous momentum was also extremely appealing. I couldn’t be more excited to contribute to the firm's continued growth while serving clients facing their most challenging disputes."
Smith's addition continues Barnes & Thornburg's strategic growth in key practice areas and markets. The Chicago office, which has grown from approximately 100 people in 2018 to nearly 150 today, serves as a vital hub for the firm's litigation, corporate, intellectual property and regulatory practices.
About Barnes & Thornburg
Barnes & Thornburg operates 26 offices across the United States, enabling more than 850 lawyers to serve clients nationwide. As one of the 100 largest law firms in the country, we provide seamless coast-to-coast coverage for high-stakes litigation, complex transactions and innovative IP matters. Our national reach and knowledge of local markets help clients conduct business confidently wherever opportunities arise.
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