Since 2007, Kevin Smith has been a dedicated legal advocate with a distinct focus on Criminal Defense and Civil Rights cases. Throughout his career, Kevin has passionately represented clients in both Connecticut’s state and federal courts. His expertise extends to appellate proceedings, having successfully litigated cases before the Appellate and Supreme Courts of Connecticut, as well as the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. Kevin’s track record is a testament to his unwavering commitment, having secured triumphs for his clients across all tiers of the judicial system.
Specializing predominantly in criminal law and civil rights, Kevin Smith also engages in high-conflict litigation. His diverse clientele includes doctors, teachers, lawyers, delivery drivers, nurses, students, engineers, servers, law enforcement officers, musicians, firefighters, construction workers, veterans, and business professionals. Each of these individuals holds familial roles as mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, sons, and daughters – collectively representing the essence of ‘WE THE PEOPLE.’
Education
Quinnipiac University School of Law, J.D. 2007
Hamden, CT
Graduated Cum Laude
Yale Sappern Fellow
Dean’s Scholar
Recognized for Excellence in Criminal Defense Appellate Clinic
Hunter College, M.S. 2003
Manhattan, NY
Master’s Degree in Education
New York City Teaching Fellowship recipient
Davidson College, B.A. 2000
Davidson, NC
Bachelor of Arts degree in English, with Honors
Bar Admissions
All Connecticut Courts
Federal District Court of Connecticut
Second Circuit Court of Appeals
Professional Organizations
New Haven County Bar Association
Connecticut Bar Association
Connecticut Criminal Defense Lawyers’ Association
National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
Distinctions
Yale Sappern Fellow
Global Law Experts 2022 Criminal Trial Lawyer of the Year in Connecticut
America’s Most Honored Lawyers 2020-2023
America’s Most Honored Lawyers Top 10%, 2023
America’s Most Honored Lawyers Top 5%, 2022
America’s Most Honored Lawyers Top 5%, 2021
America’s Most Honored Lawyers Top 5%, 2020
America’s Most Honored Professionals Top 5%, 2016-2019
Merit Award, Connecticut Criminal Defense Lawyers’ Association
The National Trial Lawyers: Top 40 Under 40
New Haven’s Finest, New Haven Advocate
Avvo Top Rated Lawyer 2017-2023
National Association of Distinguished Counsel: Nation’s Top One Percent 2015, 2023, 2024
Speaking Engagements
Connecticut Criminal Defense Lawyers’ Association Seminar, November 2012
Connecticut Criminal Defense Attorneys’ Guide to the Freedom of Information Act
Representative Cases
The following cases are a tiny sampling of the types of cases Attorney Smith has litigated. Not included, to protect the confidentiality of clients involved, are administrative appeals of DCF and DMV cases, Juvenile cases, and the hundreds of cases Attorney Smith has successfully disposed of during the Pre-Trial phase of litigation.
Criminal Trial Cases
State v. Dudley: Vehicular Homicide
State v. Moon: Felony Murder
State v. Wilson: Attempted Murder and Assault with a Firearm
State v. Mekoshvili: Murder
State v. Jordan: Assault
State v. Webb: Assault
State v. Gonzalez: Sexual Assault, Risk of Injury to a Minor
State v. Cimini: White Collar Larceny
State v. Dearing: Sexual Assault, Risk of Injury to a Minor
State v. Willoughby: Police Corruption
State v. Pearson: Breach of Peace
State v. Boutilier: Murder, Attempted Murder, Assault with a Firearm
State v. Pitera: Operating Under the Influence of Alcohol, Assault with a Motor Vehicle, Risk of Injury to a Minor
State v. Leniert: Co-Counsel, Murder, Kidnapping, Sexual Assault
State v. Bember: Felony Murder
State v. Alvarez: Sexual Assault, Risk of Injury to a Minor
State v. Cusson: Cruelty to Persons
State v. Ginnetti: Assault with a Deadly Weapon
State v. Cowan: Armed Robbery
Civil Rights Cases
Federspiel et al v. Gove et al: False Arrest and Excessive Force Claims
Maye v. Ferri et al: Excessive Force Claim
Krayeske v. The City of Hartford et al: False Arrest and First Amendment Claims
Mateczko v Fernino: Malicious Prosecution Claim
Pearson v. Lorancaitis et al: False Arrest Claim
Lewis v. Stine et al: Excessive Force
Lopez v. Board of Education of the City of Bridgeport: Writ of Error challenging State takeover of local Board of Education
Habeas Corpus Cases
Toccaline v. Commissioner: Actual Innocence and Ineffective Assistance of Counsel Claim
Henson v. Commissioner: Ineffective Assistance of Counsel Claim
Martone v. Commissioner: Actual Innocence and Ineffective Assistance of Counsel Claim
Madigosky v. Commissioner: Ineffective Assistance of Counsel and Improper Jury Instructions
Appeals
State v. Alvarez: An appeal of Sexual Assault and Risk of Injury to a Minor Convictions, overturned by the Appellate Court on multiple grounds finding an abuse of the court’s discretion, affirmed on cert by the Supreme Court
State v. Rivera: An appeal of a Sexual Assault conviction, overturned by the Supreme Court and new trial granted
State v. Lombra: An appeal of a Violation of Probation conviction to the Appellate Court of the State of Connecticut on Due Process grounds, wherein the Appellate Court took the extraordinary measure of ruling from the bench to overturn the trial court and order the immediate release of the Defendant
State v. Delvalle: An appeal of a Possession with Intent to Sell conviction to the Appellate Court of the State of Connecticut raising Fourth Amendment Search and Seizure Issues under the Exclusionary Rule
State v. Tocco: An appeal of a Sexual Assault conviction to the Appellate Court of the State of Connecticut attacking the trial court’s evidentiary rulings regarding Constancy of Accusation and Uncharged Misconduct evidence
State v. Lokting: An appeal of a Larceny conviction to the Appellate Court of the State of Connecticut raising issues of Inconsistent Verdicts and Insufficient Evidence
State v. Rogers: An appeal of an assault with a firearm conviction to the Appellate Court of the State of Connecticut raising issues of Juror and Prosecutorial Misconduct, Insufficient Evidence, and Judicial Impropriety
State v. Hall: An appeal of a robbery conviction to the Appellate Court of the State of Connecticut raising issues of Prosecutorial Impropriety and Evidentiary Error
State v. Madigosky: An appeal of a murder conviction to the Supreme Court of the State of Connecticut raising issues of Instructional Error and Judicial Impropriety
State v. Pitera: An appeal of a Risk of Injury to a Minor conviction to the Appellate Court of the State of Connecticut raising issues of Lesser Included Offenses and Instructional Error
Leone v. Fisher: An appeal to the Second Circuit of a summary judgment raising issues of Due Process
Barclay v. Michalsky: An appeal to the Second Circuit raising issues of First Amendment Retaliation
Carter v. U.S.: Petition for certiorari to the Supreme Court of the United States
