Biography

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AREAS OF PRACTICES

  • Insurance Coverage

  • Bad Faith Litigation

  • Claim Investigation

  • Property and Casualty Defense

  • Litigation Management

Matthew Smith is the President and Founder of Insurance Law Services, Inc.  In 2017 he retired as  President of Smith, Rolfes & Skavdahl Company, LPA.  He founded that firm in 1989 after beginning practice as an insurance defense attorney in Florida.  From starting as a one-attorney office, the firm under his leadership grew to 9 offices providing insurance law services throughout the United States and Puerto Rico.

Originally from Dayton, Ohio, Mr. Smith attended the University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music graduating with a degree in Radio, TV and Film.  While working his way through college and law school he served as Director of Marketing Communications for the Kings Island Theme Park Complex in Ohio (then second in size only to Disneyworld) and founded Smith-Kaufman Public Relations representing such companies as Wendy’s International, Hyatt Hotels and The Cincinnati Reds.

Mr. Smith graduated from the Salmon P. Chase College of Law at Northern Kentucky University.  He is admitted to practice in both federal and state courts in Ohio, Florida, Kentucky, Michigan and Washington, D.C. as well as the United States Supreme Court.

He serves as Director of Government Affairs and General Counsel to the Coalition Against Insurance Fraud,. Mr. Smith is a past President of the National Society of Professional Insurance Investigators, founding chair of the Insurance Committee of the International Association of Arson Investigators, and served as a member of the Defense Research Institute, Claims and Litigation Management Alliance and numerous other insurance law related organizations. Mr. Smith is a frequent lecturer and consultant  on insurance law matters throughout the United States.

Memberships

  • Coalition Against Insurance Fraud
    Director of Government Affairs & General Counsel

  • American Bar Association

  • Ohio State Bar Association

  • The Florida Bar Association

  • Ohio Association of Civil Trial Attorneys

  • Kentucky Bar Association

  • District of Columbia Bar Association

  • The Michigan Bar Association

  • Cincinnati Bar Association
    Co-chair Joint Committee with the Cincinnati Academy of Medicine
    Tort and Insurance Law Committee

  • National Society of Professional Insurance Investigators (NSPII)
    National President, 2006 -2007
    National Board of Directors, 2004 - 2008 and 2000 - 2002
    Ohio State Chapter President, 2001
    Ohio Chapter Board, 1998 - 2002
    Outstanding Achievement Award for Service in Fighting Insurance Fraud:
    National Award, 2004
    Ohio Chapter Award, 2002
    Florida Chapter Member, 2011

  • The International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI)

    • Chair - Insurance Training and Membership Advisory Committee

  • National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB); Government Relations Pillar Committee for redevelopment of NICB efforts to fight insurance fraud. Special Appointment, 2007

  • International Association of Special Investigation Units
    Member - National Chapter
    Member - Ohio Chapter

  • Claims and Litigation Management Alliance (CLM)
    Co-Chair - Insurance Fraud Committee
    Member - Insurance Bad Faith Committee

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