Joshua Smith is a board-certified appellate specialist. He has argued in the Texas Supreme Court, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, and multiple Texas courts of appeals.
Smith’s appellate experience touches a broad range of subject matters, including oil and gas disputes, workers’ compensation law and insurance, personal injury matters, and complex commercial disputes. He has handled briefing and presented oral arguments on behalf of major oil companies, medical groups, telecommunications companies, and individual Texans.
Smith knows that effective advocacy turns on detail-driven analysis of the law and facts. But he also knows how to boil complex ideas to their essence—telling a persuasive story that resonates with the courts.
Prior to joining Beck Redden, Smith clerked two years for the Supreme Court of Texas. In law school, his hard work resulted in the highest GPA in his school’s history. And now as he practices law, he is committed to employing the same skills and dedication on behalf of his clients.
Lawdragon Honors
| Honor | Year | Practice |
|---|---|---|
| The 2026 Lawdragon 500 Leading Litigators in America | 2026 | Appellate |
| The 2025 Lawdragon 500 X – The Next Generation | 2025 | Appellate |
Representative Experience
- Handled Fifth Circuit briefing for a national communications infrastructure company. The Fifth Circuit affirmed a permanent injunction against local right-of-way regulations that violate federal law. Crown Castle Fiber, L.L.C. v. City of Pasadena, 76 F.4th 425 (5th Cir. 2023).
- Represented apartment complex in appeal regarding the existence and scope of an alleged utility easement. OHAH, Ltd. v. LNG Builders, LLC, No. 09-20-00292-CV, 2022 WL 16986573 (Tex. App.–Beaumont Nov. 17, 2022, pet. denied).
- Represented private college preparatory school in contract dispute with the former chair of the school’s board of trustees. Texas Private School Found., Inc. v. Bullin, No. 07-20-00225-CV, 2021 WL 6063560 (Tex. App.–Amarillo Dec. 22, 2021, pet. denied).
- Represented ambulatory surgical center in dispute over payment for ownership interest under the governing LLC Agreement. The court of appeals reversed the trial court’s $10 million judgment against the ambulatory surgical center. Houston Metro Ortho & Spine Surgery, LLC v. Juansrich, No. 14-19-00732-CV, 2021 WL 2799643 (Tex. App.–Houston [14th Dist.] July 6, 2021, pet. denied).
- Presented argument in Texas Supreme Court on behalf of employer. The appeal concerned whether the exclusive remedy provision in the Texas Workers’ Compensation Act barred a lawsuit by a temporary employee. Waste Management of Texas, Inc. v. Stevenson, 622 S.W.3d 273 (Tex. 2021).
- Presented Fifth Circuit argument on behalf of a Gulf Coast vacation-rental business in dispute over business losses stemming from the Deepwater Horizon disaster. Claimant ID 100081155 v. BP Exploration & Production, Inc., 920 F.3d 925 (5th Cir. 2019).
- Assisted with developing strategy for briefing a Texas Supreme Court case regarding the scope of an oft-litigated statute. The Supreme Court rendered judgment that Chapter 95 of the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code barred a contractor’s employee’s negligent-hiring claim against an oil and gas well operator. Endeavor Energy Res., L.P. v. Cuevas, 593 S.W.3d 307 (Tex. 2019).
- Represented oil and gas well operator on appeal in dispute with a supplier of failed drill pipe. Knight Oil Tools, Inc. v. Rippy Oil Co., No. 10-18-00284-CV, 2021 WL 5235149 (Tex. App.—Waco Nov. 10, 2021, no pet. h.).
- Represented employer in dispute regarding enforceability of employer’s arbitration agreement with its employee. Stage Stores, Inc. v. Eufracio, No. 13-18-00281-CV, 2019 WL 3484430 (Tex. App.—Corpus Christi Aug. 1, 2019).
- Represented employer in dispute regarding enforceability of employer’s arbitration agreement with its employee. Mission Petroleum Carriers, Inc. v. Dreese, No. 13-17-00102-CV, 2018 WL 1192773 (Tex. App.—Corpus Christi Mar. 8, 2018, no pet.)