Texas lost a Family Law pioneer and legend on Tuesday, April 24, 2018. Attorney Don Smith blazed a trail of excellence that modeled legal practice for all subsequent family lawyers.
Smith was listed in the 1989 Guinness book of World Records for his representation of Anne Bass in her 1988 divorce from Sid Bass. His bust is displayed as an inductee to the Texas State Bar Family Law Hall of Legends for accomplishments such as authoring the original edition of the Texas Family Law Practice Manual and the original chapter on property characterization in Kazen on Family Law. Smith was in the first group of board certified family law attorneys by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.
The December 1988 edition of “D” Magazine featured Smith, coining him “The Country Preacher” who persuaded juries with his “fiery oratorical style and his righteous indignation. His rapid-fire questions give witnesses little time to think. Suddenly they’re caught up in a morality play starring Don Smith in the role of Billy Graham.”
Donald R. Smith was born on his family homestead of Tanner League in Mesquite, Texas on November 12, 1939 to James Howard Smith and Rose Faye Murphree Smith. He received a Bachelor of Arts with honors from Southern Methodist University and was first chair trumpet in the orchestra and the SMU Marching Band otherwise known as “99 Guys and a Gal.” He received his Juris Doctorate from South Texas College of Law with honors.
Smith was listed in the “Best Lawyers of America,” was a Fellow in the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, and a Life Fellow of the Texas Bar Association. Not only did Smith represent Anne Bass in one of the largest divorces in the history of Texas, he also represented Louisa Brown Sarofim in her divorce with Fayez Sarofim as another of his history making cases.
Smith was the director of the State Bar of Texas Advanced Family Law Course in 1982, and was a frequent and highly sought speaker that packed crowds wherever he spoke. He received the Award for Outstanding Achievement in Continuing Legal Education from the College of the State Bar of Texas for his many innovative and groundbreaking works arising out of his love of teaching other lawyers and paralegals.
Don married his High School sweetheart Nancy Nichols and they had 3 sons, J. Allen Smith, D. Robert Smith and Patrick N. Smith, who all became successful attorneys. Later, he married Carle’ Harden Steffen, his legal assistant who contributed to his success and preceded him in death. He also adopted a daughter, Tanya Sue Smith.
He is survived by his son, Allen and daughter-in-law, Jane Cornish Smith and their children, Morgan Allen Smith (also an attorney) and Christine Cornish Smith; his son, Robert and his children, Amy Hale and husband, David (and grandsons, Robert David “Bobby” Hale and Michael Nichols Hale), Earl Andrew Nichols Smith, Lillian Elizabeth Smith, Daniel Ryland Smith and Margaret Kathleen Smith; and his son, Patrick and daughter-in-law, Nancy Miles Smith and their children, Allison Margaret Smith and Ryan Patrick Nichols Smith; and his daughter, Tanya Sue Smith. Don’s parents and brother, James H. Smith also preceded him in death. He is also survived by his nephew, James R. Smith and wife Rhonda.
The family will receive friends during a visitation on Friday, April 27, 2018 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home, 2525 Central Expressway North, Allen, Texas. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, April 28, 2018 at high noon at the funeral home.