Attorney Profile

Shimane SmithShimane K. Smith
Criminal Law Attorney
sks@shimanesmithlaw.com

 

Shimane is a veteran defense attorney who is known for his thorough case preparation and dedicated service to his clients.

His interpersonal skills, oratorical training, and broad knowledge of the law make him likable and well received by witnesses, jurors and judges alike. Shimane also has a reputation in Federal and State Courts as an aggressive and skilled litigator who will not shy away from a fight.

Shimane completed his undergraduate studies at Fisk University (B.A.), and earned his J.D. from The Ohio State University College of Law where he received high honors for trial advocacy and outstanding performance in the criminal defense practicum. 

Shimane gained his courtroom experience as a civil attorney in a large law firm handling labor, employment, construction, and civil rights cases in Cincinnati, Ohio.  A native of Elyria, Ohio, he returned to Northeast Ohio and joined the highly respected defense firm James M. Burge Co. L.P.A.  He was quickly promoted to a partner in the firm.  In 2006, Shimane established Shimane K. Smith & Associates LLC.

Shimane is a scholar of the Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Amendments of the United States Constitution, criminal procedure, search and seizure law, immigration law and he has received extensive training in DUI defense, white collar litigation, defending major drug offenses and death penalty cases.

Shimane is the host of Nothing but the Truth, a radio show that provides valuable information and an intellectual discussion about the pressing legal issues of our time on WJTB 1040 AM and blogtalkradio.com. Shimane has made numerous guest appearances on radio talk shows and community forums.  He is currently an active member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL), the Ohio Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (OACDL), American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), the Ohio Bar Association, Southern and Northern District of Ohio Federal Bar and the American Bar Association (ABA) and the Lorain County Urban League.

 

REPRESENTATIVE CASES

 

·         In State v. Hamilton, 06CR070990 (Lorain Cty), lead trial counsel for accused major drug trafficker in complex trafficking case.  The major drug offender charge was dismissed and client pleaded guilty to low level drug offense and received probation.

·         In State v. Rivera, 06CR072329 (Lorain Cty), lead counsel in the jury trial of high profile rape case.  Client was received not guilty verdicts on all counts.

·         In State v. Fennell, 06CR071834 (Lorain Cty), lead trial attorney on high profile NGRI case.  Client was accused of poisoning her three children and attempting to drive them off of a cliff.  Negotiated plea agreement that prevented the minor children from testifying against client and client received probation.

·         In State v. Koepke, 03CR063142 (Lorain Cty), represented chief financial officer for a printing company who was accused of embezzling a minimum of one hundred thousand dollars, falsifying accounting records and engaging in fraudulent business practices. Client received probation and successfully defeated the State’s motion for restitution after a lengthy hearing.

·         In State v. Helm, CR-07-494508-B8Y (Cuyahoga Cty), first chaired the jury trial of a very complex rape case.  Negotiated a plea agreement where client pleaded guilty to a lesser charge after jury selection and was placed on probation.

·         In State v. Frank, 02CR060337, assisted the lead counsel in representing a client charged with running an illegal gambling operation in complex RICO case.  Result: client received probation. 

·         In State v. Heiland, 02CRO61834 (Lorain Cty): second chaired bench trial of high profile murder case. Client was accused of poisoning her terminally ill father. She was found not guilty on all counts.

Power in DefenseMr. Smith has a reputation in state courts as an
aggressive and skilled litigator who will not shy
away from a fight.