Sarah R. Smith

Partner

Sarah is the Office Managing Partner of the Houston office. She has a robust practice focusing on complex litigation, including all aspects of commercial/contractual disputes. Sarah has spent the last decade and a half litigating matters across the nation and has established herself as a proficient litigator in matters related to marine and energy, indemnity disputes, and catastrophic casualty cases. Sarah has also honed her expertise in various aspects of first-party claims arising from catastrophic events, showcasing her adeptness in navigating complex and high-stakes scenarios.

Sarah’s professional liability experience includes defending claims against attorneys, insurance agents/brokers, design professionals, and real estate professionals. She plays a pivotal role in advising and representing directors and officers of diverse organizations, both in pre-suit negotiations and litigation proceedings.

Licensed in both Louisiana and Texas, Sarah maintains an active practice in both state and federal courts across both states. Her reach goes beyond regional boundaries, as she engages in nationwide practice under pro hac admission throughout the country. Sarah prides herself on providing strategic evaluations and business-minded solutions, in addition to keeping abreast of legal trends and jurisprudence, for the benefit of her clients.

Credentials

Education

Baylor University (J.D., 2006)

Louisiana State University (B.S., 2003)

Bar admissions

  • Louisiana
  • Texas

Court admissions

  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana
  • U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana
  • U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana
  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
  • U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas
  • U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas

Affiliations and memberships

  • Texas Bar Foundation, Lifetime Fellow
  • Houston Bar Association
  • American Bar Association

Publications
  • February 5, 2024

    Texas Supreme Court Rules to Foreclose Attorney’s Fees in First Party Appraisal Context

News
  • August 21, 2025

    260 Dinsmore Attorneys Listed as 2026 Best Lawyers®, Ones to Watch

  • January 14, 2025

    Dinsmore’s Sarah Smith and Allison Griswold Join Elite Ranks of Texas Board-Certified Insurance Lawyers

  • August 20, 2024

    ‘Nailing AI:’ Dinsmore Attorneys Explain Handling Construction Claims in the AI Era

  • August 15, 2024

    250+ Dinsmore Attorneys Named 2025 Best Lawyers ®, Ones to Watch

  • January 11, 2024

    Dinsmore Makes Lone Star State Debut: Introduces New Team in Houston

Events
  • December 6, 2024

    Credits & More – Continuing Legal Education Seminar