Joseph W. Smith

Joseph W. Smith may be a native of Nashville, but he is a Memphian at heart and by marriage. Joe received his undergraduate degree from the University of Memphis where he met his college sweetheart, now wife, Racheal. They are the proud parents of two beautiful children. As a husband, father, and son of divorced parents, Joe has a unique perspective and appreciation for preserving his client’s legacy.

As a board member of the Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law Alumni Chapter, Joe helps raise scholarships for University of Memphis law students. In 2019 Joe Co-Chaired the 10th Annual Pillars of Excellence Awards, which raised nearly $160,000 toward scholarships.

Trial advocacy is an essential skill to have, especially for a family law and domestic relations litigator. Joe participated at the Family Law Trial Advocacy Institute in Boulder, Colorado. Sponsored by the Family Law Section of the American Bar Association (ABA) and the National Institute for Trial Advocacy (NITA), this annual program is an intensive 7-day trial advocacy and education course where practicing attorneys receive personalized instruction from the nation’s leading family law trial lawyers, judges, advocacy teachers, and expert witnesses.

Not only is Joe a sophisticated litigator, but he is also passionate about helping those in need, especially those in the Memphis community. Joe volunteers at the Saturday Legal Clinic sponsored by the Memphis Area Legal Services, where community members may consult attorneys without fee. In 2021, the Memphis Business Journal honored him with its 40 Under 40 Award and in 2023 honored him as “Best of the Bar.” Joe also served as Chair of the Tennessee Bar Association’s Family Law Section Executive Committee, serves on the Memphis Bar Association Board of Directors, and serves on the National Bar Association Ben F. Jones Chapter Board of Directors.

Joe Smith has been selected to Tennessee Rising Stars. Each year, no more than 2.5 percent of the lawyers in the state are selected by the research team at Super Lawyers to receive this honor. Super Lawyers, a Thomson Reuters business, is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. Click to learn more about the selection process.

Joe mentors high school students in the Memphis Bar Association’s Summer Law Internship Program, which seeks to develop and nurture an interest in the legal profession among young people from underrepresented groups. This program is similar to the one Joe participated in as a high school student in Nashville, which ultimately led to him becoming an attorney.

Joe graduated from Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law at the University of Memphis in 2015. In his last semester of law school, Joe worked as a Student Attorney with the Child & Family Litigation Clinic and received the CALI Excellence Award (highest grade award).

In May 2016, Joe became Amy Amundsen’s associate. He represented sophisticated clients in complex domestic relations and family law matters including divorce, custody, paternity, prenuptial agreements, and child support.

When Joe is away from the office, he enjoys his work raising scholarship money for law students at the Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law, spending time outdoors with Deuce, and cheering on the Memphis Tigers. #GoTigersGo

• Buyer’s Remorse After the Marital Dissolution Agreement is Signed: Reformation or Rescission
• “Who Gets the Pets During a Divorce?” Gina Neely, host of “Bluff City Life” on WMC Action News 5
• “New DUI Law” Gina Neely, host of “Bluff City Life” on WMC Action News 5
• “New DUI and Child Support Tennessee Law” Chip Washington, host of “Let’s Talk About It” show on WLOK (1340 AM/105 FM)
• WREG Interview: What if Separated Parents Disagree on COVID Vaccine?
• Memphis Business Journal feature
• Joseph W. Smith’s Oral Argument Only | Brooks v. Andrews Tennessee Court of Appeals

• Memphis Business Journal’s “Best of the Bar” 2023
• Tennessee Bar Association Leadership Law Program, 2023 Class
• Rising Star, Super Lawyers, 2022.
• Memphis Business Journal’s 40 Under 40, 2021
• The Deans Distinguished Pro Bono Award, Bronze 2013-14
• CALI Award Child & Family Litigation Clinic, Fall 2015

• Co-presenter with Cindy MacAulay, “Don’t Leave Your Client’s Money on the Table: Tax Considerations You Need to Understand,” Memphis Bar Association Bench Bar Conference (Memphis, Tenn., Sept. 29, 2021).
• Co-presenter with Amy J. Amundsen, “Unlocking Their Potential: A Mentor’s Guide to a Successful Mentee’s Career,” Memphis Family Law Seminar 2021, Tennessee Trial Lawyers Association (Memphis, Tenn., Mar. 18, 2021).
• Co-presenter, “Basics of Practicing Family Law, Including Divorce, Property Division, Child Custody, and Child Support.” Memphis Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Division & Family Law Section, The Rookie Lawyer Series, Part I, (Memphis, Tenn. Feb. 12, 2021).
• Panelist, “Family Law Panel,” University of Memphis, Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law, Career Services, (Online Via Zoom, Jan. 29, 2021).
• Panelist, “Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Panel” Memphis Bar Association, Family Law Section Annual CLE (Online Via Zoom, Dec. 16, 2020).
• Presenter, “Collecting Electronically Stored Information and How to Successfully Present Evidence in a Divorce Case,” Tennessee Trial Lawyer’s Association’s 2020 Domestic Law Forum (Memphis, Tenn. Feb. 6, 2020).
• Presenter, Marital Dissolution Agreements Explained, University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law (Memphis, Tenn. Nov. 11, 2019)
• Presenter, Don’t Get in Hot Water When a Client Drags You into a Divorce, Mercer Capital (Memphis, Tenn. Oct. 23, 2019).
• Presenter, Discovery Tips for the Family Law Practitioner, “Preparing Your Shelby County Divorce” Memphis Bar Association Family Law Section, (Memphis, Tenn. Nov. 3, 2017).