Brian Smith

Wettermark Keith - Birmingham
Wettermark Keith - Birmingham
100 Grandview Place, Suite 530, Birmingham, AL 35243 United States

MANAGING ATTORNEY, DISABILITY PRACTICE


Intro: 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. 


Background: 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.


Brian’s “Why”: Brian has found that helping clients through the cumbersome process of dealing with Social Security, the VA, and the RRB is personally rewarding. Daily, he is honored by compliments and appreciation from our clients, who put their trust in him to assist them during difficult times.


Bar Admissions:

Alabama State Bar

United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama

United States District Court for the Middle District of Alabama

United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee

United States Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit


Notable Cases:

Brown v. Social Security Administration, No. 21-13336 (11th Cir. 2022)


Professional Associations: 

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:

Social Security Disability Leadership, 2023 Top 100

Social Security Disability Leadership, 2022 Top 100

Super Lawyers Mid-South Rising Stars 2023

Super Lawyers Mid-South Rising Stars 2022

Super Lawyers Mid-South Rising Stars 2021

Super Lawyers Mid-South Rising Stars 2020

Super Lawyers Mid-South Rising Stars 2019

Super Lawyers Mid-South Rising Stars 2018

Super Lawyers Mid-South Rising Stars 2017


Publications:

Lee Fernon, Rebecca Gilliland & Brian Smith, INSURED BEWARE: Potential Conflicts Between Your Disability Carrier and Their Recommended Social Security Attorney, Ala. Ass’n for Just. J. Fall 2019, 57 (2019).


Just For Fun: Brian enjoys spending time with his family, watching sports, and being outdoors.

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