Jill Frost Smith

Partner, Franke Schultz & Mullen

Kansas City

Jill Smith’s litigation practice spans professional negligence, construction defect, premises liability, products liability, toxic torts, wrongful death and vehicular collisions, as well as environmental matters involving asbestos, silica, mold and lead paint, Title VII and civil rights defense and computer software and business disputes.

She has successfully argued appellate cases before the Missouri Court of Appeals, the Missouri Supreme Court and the United States District Court and is admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court and the Eighth and Tenth Circuits.

Smith tried numerous jury trials early in her career — an experience she credits with alleviating fears that some lawyers never overcome — and annually instructs at the Missouri Organization of Defense Lawyers’ Trial Academy at the University of Missouri. She is certified as a mediator. Her leadership approach is decisive: she strategizes, then shares her plan and reasoning to inspire team unity. She advises young attorneys to show genuine appreciation to staff verbally, in writing and financially.