Collin A. Smith
Founder and Principal Attorney
Collin Smith is the Founder and Principal Attorney at C.A. Smith Law, PLLC, where he offers practical, insightful counsel in business, estate planning, real estate, and the unique legal challenges facing service members and veterans. With a background in both engineering and law, Collin brings a rare problem-solving mindset to his practice—delivering tailored strategies that cut through complexity and offer clear, actionable guidance without the jargon.
Over the course of his career, Collin has advised some of the world’s most recognized organizations. He played a pivotal role in designing and implementing an automated regulatory change management system for JPMorgan Chase, provided legal guidance at Microsoft on the development of custom data encryption tools for a major financial institution, and has negotiated multimillion-dollar agreements across a range of industries. At Dell, Collin’s work extended into governance and compliance, where he counseled leaders on policy implementation and cross-functional product development.
Before entering legal practice, Collin served as a multifunctional logistics officer in the United States Army, leading troops in the field and in Iraq. His time in command gave him firsthand insight into the needs of soldiers and their families—experience that later shaped his work in the JAG Corps, where he provided legal counsel on a wide range of personal and family matters. Collin’s military background continues to influence his empathetic, mission-oriented approach to law—offering clients not just legal solutions, but thoughtful, practical guidance rooted in real-world understanding.
His philosophy is grounded in the belief that true leadership stems from integrity and empathy. Drawing on the values instilled at West Point, Collin lives by the principle of “Be, Know, Do”—leading by example and upholding honesty, trust, and respect in every interaction.
Outside of work, Collin enjoys spending time with his family, exploring the Pacific Northwest, and diving into his interests in motorsports, basketball, and astronomy. He’s also committed to giving back, regularly providing pro bono advocacy for veterans and their families.
Collin is a 2007 graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Systems Engineering. He received his Juris Doctor from The George Washington University Law School in 2013. He is licensed to practice in Washington (WSBA No. 55943) and before the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims.
He is a member of the White House Society of Military Aides and the West Point Society of Washington.