Brian Smith
Managing Attorney, Disability Practice
Biography
Brian joined our team in 2011 and currently serves as the Managing Attorney for our Disability Practice. This practice area focuses on representing individuals for disability benefits before the Social Security Administration (SSA), Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and Railroad Retirement Board (RRB). Brian is involved in disability cases in our office from the initial client conversation once a case is opened, through all aspects of claims handling, and finally to case resolution. He has personally represented SSD/SSI claimants at all administrative levels (initial, reconsideration, hearing, Appeals Council) and federal court. Additionally, he has represented claimants in more than 2,500 ALJ hearings, many veterans before the VA in proceedings with decision review officers (DRO), veteran law judges (VLJ), and railroad workers in hearings before RRB hearing officers.
Education
During high school and college, Brian worked various jobs such as a farmhand (produce), warehouse laborer, golf shop assistant, call center representative, and dry cleaner assistant/cashier. While earning his Master of Public Administration from Troy University, he worked full time as a credit union teller/new account representative while attending school full time at night. Brian worked at the Disability Determination Service (DDS) in Birmingham, deciding over 1,000 SSDI and SSI claims. He went on to obtain his Juris Doctorate from the Birmingham School of Law and launch his career at Wettermark Keith.
Notable Cases
- Brown v. Social Security Administration, No. 21-13336 (11th Cir. 2022)
Memberships
- American Association for Justice
- Alabama Association for Justice (Chair, Social Security Caucus)
- Birmingham Bar Association
- National Organization of Social Security Claimants Representatives (Sustaining Member)
- National Association of Disability Representatives
- National Organization of Veterans’ Advocates, Inc.
- Alabama Veteran, Advisory Board Member (2022)
- National Association of Disability Examiners (2007-2011)
Honors and Awards
- Advocates, Counselors, and Representatives For The Disabled, Top 100 (2024)
- Social Security Disability Leadership, Top 100 (2022, 2023)
- Super Lawyers Mid-South Rising Stars (2017-2023)
In the News
Interviews and Videos
