Ward Smith & Hill, PLLC

Texas-based Ward, Smith & Hill, PLLC, is a trial law firm with a long history of representing clients throughout the Lone Star State. Our firm is well-known among other law firms throughout the U.S. based on our work together in high-stakes trials involving intellectual property claims, oil and gas disputes, business litigation matters, breaches of contracts, and serious personal injuries.

Our offices in Longview and Tyler support the firm’s emphasis on cases that are tried in every division of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas and state courts throughout the East Texas region.

The attorneys at Ward, Smith & Hill have helped numerous intellectual property clients win significant jury verdicts and settlements originating from the Eastern District. We also have extensive experience representing serious injury victims and their families, including cases involving automobile, truck and motorcycle crashes; worksite accidents; defective products; and many others. Our courtroom track record also includes cases involving qui tam/whistleblower claims, theft of trade secrets, and contract disputes, among others.

In 2016, two of the firm's cases ranked among the Top 100 Verdicts in the nation, according to VerdictSearch and The National Law Journal. Mr. Ward helped VirnetX win a $302 million patent verdict against Apple Inc. After one week of trial, the jury awarded the amount based on Apple’s infringement of four of VirnetX’s internet security patents. The $302 million verdict was the ninth largest verdict overall in the U.S., and fourth largest IP verdict in 2016. That same year, Wes Hill and the firm successfully convinced a jury that Apple Inc. willfully infringed on a patent owned by Cellular Communications Equipment, resulting in an award of $22 million for past damages. The seven-day trial revealed how Apple knowingly infringed the patent in its iPhones and iPads.

Our attorneys have tried more than 350 cases with impressive results. Clients call on our firm based on our proven courtroom abilities. Ward, Smith & Hill is home to AV-rated lawyers, a former federal judge, and attorneys who are Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.

We believe in working closely with our clients and fellow lawyers to thoroughly prepare each case as if it were going to trial. This level of commitment and our reputation for being prepared at every turn are what help our clients earn favorable resolutions to their cases time and time again.

Ward, Smith & Hill gladly accepts referrals, and we regularly work with national firms as co-counsel or local counsel. Approximately 90 percent of our business comes from referring lawyers, former clients, or former courtroom opponents.