Meet Ruth C. Smith
Growing up in neighboring South Carolina, Ruth C. Smith knew that she wanted to be a trial attorney. While her friends enjoyed going to the shopping mall, Ruth preferred walking over to the local courthouse to observe jury trials.
With her sights set on a legal career, Ruth received a B.A. degree in political science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1994. She then spent a year working at a shelter for victims of domestic violence in McDowell County before enrolling at UNC School of Law.
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After receiving her J.D. in 1999, Ruth remained in North Carolina and launched a legal career that has focused on plaintiff’s personal injury litigation with several law firms before going solo in 2010 with her own practice in Asheville.
She had developed a professional relationship by then with attorney Bruce Elmore from their mutual involvement in the legal resolutions stemming from a tragic 2002 jail fire in Mitchell County that claimed the lives of nine inmates. Each lawyer represented the estates of two of the victims in filing and settling lawsuits on their behalf.
After that, the two attorneys kept in touch. Bruce, who had practiced for years in a firm with his father, had gone solo in recent years after his father died in 2009. “When I had a question or wanted another opinion on something, Ruth was the person I would call and ask for advice. She’s the best lawyer I know,” Bruce said.
In early 2019, Ruth and Bruce joined forces to create The Elmore and Smith Law Firm, PC.
Truck Accident Case
Settlement for a family suffering multiple serious injuries in a tractor-trailer crash
Motorcycle Accident
Compensation for a crash victim who suffered a serious fracture to the leg
*Prior results don’t guarantee.
More Verdicts & SettlementsOver the years, Ruth has secured numerous successful outcomes for injured clients, many in the six- and seven-figure range. They include a $1.5-million settlement of a case involving injuries to a pedestrian caused by a runaway ambulance, and a $350,000 settlement of a case involving a construction worker who was injured by debris from a passing vehicle.
Helping clients get their lives back on track provides Ruth great satisfaction.
“I like being right,” she says. “If I’m representing someone and making an argument, I want to be correct and say, ‘You’re entitled to this money. You’re entitled to having your claim accepted and get this medical care from your employer.’ On the other side, it’s the opposite. Those lawyers know what the facts are, they know what the outcome should be, and they’re just trying to manipulate ways to get out of it. We don’t represent people who are not legitimately hurt.”
In addition to serving her clients, Ruth also finds time to share her knowledge with fellow attorneys at continuing legal education events.
Her primary community involvement is her position as vice president of the North Buncombe High School Marching Blackhawks. Her son is a tuba player in the marching band.
In addition to marching bands, Ruth’s other personal interests include UNC Tar Heel sports, hiking, quilting, and catfishing.
- University of North Carolina
Ruth will take the time to make sure that you understand every step of the process and she will work hard to make sure you get what you deserve. I would recommend her to anyone in need of a personal injury, disability, workers comp, etc. attorney. She truly cares for her clients and goes above and beyond for them... — Former Client
