J. Craig Smith, Civil Rights Attorney in Bridgeport, Connecticut
Over 27 years of legal practice · focused on Civil Rights, Personal Injury, and Product Liability · 4.2/5 rating from 1 verified client review
AttorneyatKoskoff Koskoff & Bieder PC
Bridgeport, CT
Practicing civil rights in Bridgeport since 1999.
- 27+
- Years practicing
- 4.2 ★
- 1 client review
- 8
- Bar admissions
Practices in
Are you J. Craig Smith?
This profile was built from public bar records and is still unclaimed. Claim it free to control your photo, bio, and fees — and get client inquiries sent straight to you.
Quick answer
J. Craig Smith is an attorney based in Bridgeport, CT. The practice focuses on Civil Rights, Personal Injury, and Product Liability. J. has over 27 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at Koskoff Koskoff & Bieder PC. Rated 4.2 out of 5 from 1 client review.
- Based in
- Bridgeport, CT
- Experience
- over 27 years
- Known for
- Civil Rights · Personal Injury · Product Liability
- Handles Civil Rights, Personal Injury, and Product Liability matters from Bridgeport, CT.
- Over 27 years of practice as a licensed attorney.
- Recognized with Peer Reviewed.
About J. Craig Smith: J. Craig Smith is an attorney based in Bridgeport, CT. The practice focuses on Civil Rights, Personal Injury, and Product Liability. J. has over 27 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at Koskoff Koskoff & Bieder PC. Rated 4.2 out of 5 from 1 client review.
Areas of practice
Practice areas handled by J. Craig Smith
J. concentrates on civil rights, personal injury, and product liability. Each area below outlines the kind of case J. handles, typical outcomes to expect, and how the intake process starts.
Civil Rights
View other Civil Rights attorneys
Personal Injury
View other Personal Injury attorneys
Product Liability
View other Product Liability attorneys
Civil Rights cases in Bridgeport, Connecticut
J. takes civil rights matters in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before J. agrees to represent you.
Personal Injury cases in Bridgeport, Connecticut
J. takes personal injury matters in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before J. agrees to represent you.
Product Liability cases in Bridgeport, Connecticut
J. takes product liability matters in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before J. agrees to represent you.
Biography
About J. Craig Smith — Over 27 years of Connecticut civil rights experience
J. Craig Smith is an attorney based in Bridgeport, CT. The practice focuses on Civil Rights, Personal Injury, and Product Liability. J. has over 27 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at Koskoff Koskoff & Bieder PC. Rated 4.2 out of 5 from 1 client review.
Craig Smith specializes in cases involving complex legal questions and the vindication of plaintiffs’ rights at both the trial and appellate level. Craig is perhaps best known nationally for representing multiple victims from across the US who have been burned by exploding cooking spray cans, as well as for appearing on behalf of his cousin in a Georgia case before the United States Supreme Court in 2009. This case, Mohawk Industries, Inc. v. Carpenter, 130 S. Ct. 599, 175 L.Ed. 2d 458 (2009) went into the history books both as Justice Sonia Sotomayor’s first written opinion, and also as a substantial victory for civil rights plaintiffs battling large corporate defendants who see to use the appellate process to delay trial.
Among a number of multimillion-dollar settlements and verdicts, other representative matters include an appearance in front of the Connecticut Supreme Court in a case against a trucking company for the wrongful death of a truck mechanic, a substantial verdict against Ford Motor Company involving fraud in South Carolina, and a $1.7 million verdict against the Town of Darien, CT on behalf of a motorist who was struck by a tree on a town road.
Before entering the legal profession, Craig had a successful acting career in the theater, movies, and television. His appearances include roles in the movie Queen, the sequel to Roots, with Martin Sheen and Halle Berry; a regional tour of A Streetcar Named Desire; and the television show The Heat of the Night. Craig hails from Woodstock, Georgia.
How J. handles civil rights matters
Craig Smith specializes in cases involving complex legal questions and the vindication of plaintiffs’ rights at both the trial and appellate level. Craig is perhaps best known nationally for representing multiple victims from across the US who have been burned by exploding cooking spray cans, as well as for appearing on behalf of his cousin in a Georgia case before the United States Supreme Court…
Who J. represents
J. reviews new inquiries case-by-case for civil rights, personal injury, and product liability matters in Bridgeport and the surrounding Connecticut area.
Credentials
J. Craig Smith's legal education and bar admissions
University of South Carolina School of Law
J.D. · 1998
DePaul University
B.A. Political · 1992
Jurisdictions
J.'s state bar admissions
U.S. Supreme Court
2008 · ACTIVE
U.S. Court of Appeal
2008 · ACTIVE
U.S. District Court,
2007 · ACTIVE
Georgia
2006 · ACTIVE
U.S. District Court,
2004 · ACTIVE
Connecticut
2003 · ACTIVE
South Carolina
1999 · ACTIVE
U.S. District Court,
1999 · ACTIVE
J. studied at J.D. in University of South Carolina School of Law and B.A. Political in DePaul University.
Law school and academic background
J. completed J.D. in University of South Carolina School of Law and B.A. Political in DePaul University. Formal legal training is one signal of substantive knowledge — the day-to-day practice J. runs in Connecticut is where that training gets applied to real client questions.
Recognition
Awards, publications, and recognition of J. Craig Smith
J. has received 1 formal recognition from bar associations, industry bodies, and peer-review services.
Peer Reviewed
Legal awards and honors
Peer Reviewed.
Affiliations
J.'s professional memberships and bar associations
New Haven, Bridgeport, Charleston County, South Carolina, Georgia and Connecticut Bar Associations South Carolina Bar (Circuit Representative, Young Lawyers Division, 2003) Association of Trial Lawyers of America South Carolina Trial Lawyers Association
membership
Locations
J. Craig Smith's office in Bridgeport
J.'s primary office is at 350 Fairfield Avenue, Suite 501, Bridgeport, CT, 06604. In-person meetings are by appointment; a phone intake usually comes first.
Koskoff Koskoff & Bieder PC
350 Fairfield Avenue, Suite 501
Bridgeport, CT 06604
Open in Google MapsClient feedback
Client reviews of J. Craig Smith — 4.2/5 rating from 1 verified client review
Every review below is from a verified client of J.. Reviews cover communication, case outcome, and value — the three signals that matter most when comparing civil rights attorneys in Bridgeport.
4.2
1 client review
Client ratings are sourced from public records and editorial research. Reviews on LawyersListed are accepted from verified clients once J. Craig Smith claims this profile.
Read all reviewsHiring guide
How to hire J. Craig Smith — what to expect in your first consultation
Working with a new civil rights attorney should feel structured. Here's how the first two conversations with J. usually go, from the moment you request a consult to the day representation begins.
Consultation formats and pricing
J. charges for the initial consult. That fee is credited toward representation if you retain J.'s office.
What to bring to your first meeting
Bring any documents you already have — police reports, medical records, filed pleadings, correspondence from an insurer, a copy of the contract at issue. If you're not sure, err on the side of bringing everything; J. will tell you what matters and what doesn't.
Questions to ask a civil rights attorney in Bridgeport, Connecticut
A short list to run through before you commit: How many civil rights matters have you handled in the last year? What's your fee structure? Who else in the office will work on this? What's your realistic estimate of timeline and range of outcomes? How do I reach you between meetings?
Fees & payment
Fees, payment methods, and consultation options for J.
J. discusses fees during intake so the arrangement fits the matter. Contingency, hourly, and flat-fee options are all common in civil rights practice — ask which fits.
Hourly rates, contingency fees, and flat-fee options
Every civil rights matter is priced differently. Simple document review might be a flat fee. Injury litigation is often contingency. Complex commercial disputes usually run hourly with a retainer. J. confirms the model in the engagement letter before any work starts.
Payment methods and payment plans
J.'s office accepts standard payment methods. Ask about payment plans if the retainer is a stretch — many civil rights practices work with clients on structured schedules.
Frequently asked
Frequently asked questions about J. Craig Smith
How much does it cost to hire J. for a civil rights case?
Cost depends on the type of matter, the fee model (contingency, flat, hourly), and how contested the case becomes. J. walks through the likely range during the consult so there are no surprises.
Does J. offer a free consultation?
J. charges for the initial consult; that fee is credited toward representation if you retain J.'s office. Some civil rights attorneys offer free consults — check J.'s current terms during booking.
How long do civil rights cases in Connecticut typically take?
Simple civil rights matters can wrap in a few weeks; disputed cases can run 6–18 months from intake to resolution, longer if the matter goes to trial. J. gives a realistic estimate for your facts at the consult — vague answers here are a red flag.
Can J. take my case if I'm outside Bridgeport?
J. is licensed in Connecticut. Matters governed by Connecticut law are the natural fit. Out-of-state matters are handled case-by-case, sometimes with local co-counsel. Ask during intake — J. will tell you if the case is a fit or refer you to someone closer to your court.
What should I bring to my first meeting with J.?
Bring every document that touches the dispute: contracts, correspondence, police or medical reports, filed pleadings, invoices, photographs, insurance letters. Also bring a written timeline of what happened, in your own words. J. will filter what matters — over-preparing at intake is always cheaper than needing a second meeting.
Is J. accepting new civil rights clients right now?
J.'s intake status shifts week to week. Submit the form; the office will confirm availability or refer the matter out.
Areas served
Civil Rights attorneys serving Bridgeport, Hartford and Stamford in Connecticut
J. handles civil rights matters throughout Connecticut. Each city below is a direct link into the search page for verified civil rights attorneys in that community.
More counsel
Other top-rated civil rights attorneys in Connecticut
If J.'s intake is full or the fit isn't right, these civil rights attorneys in Bridgeport handle similar matters. Every profile below is verified and open to consultations.
