James Bayard Smith, Jr.


James Bayard

Bayard graduated from Lafayette College, Cum Laude in 1995, received his law degree from The College of William & Mary School of Law in 1999, and was admitted to the New Jersey Bar that year. He was also acknowledged to practice before The United States Supreme Court, The United States Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit, and The United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces.

Bayard has been practicing personal injury law his entire career, trying numerous cases to conclusion and obtaining verdicts for his clients against some of the largest insurance companies. Prior to entering private practice, he spent a year as a judicial clerk for a Superior Court Judge in Middlesex County. Bayard is a member of the New Jersey Association for Justice and the Middlesex County Bar Association. He also served as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Army National Guard, retiring after 28 years in uniform. He has been deployed overseas three times in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. He also had the opportunity to Command at both the Battalion and Battery level. He is a third generation attorney. His grandfather served as a United States Court of Appeals Judge for the 3rd Circuit, and his father is a former Municipal Court Judge for Metuchen, Dunellen and Old Bridge. He is a frequent lecturer at local high schools on law, freedom, and the constitution.

“Fighting for the rights of individuals has been my life’s focus. Being a partner at Smith & Williams Law Firm, LLC, has given me the resources to even the playing field with the large insurance companies who are trying to limit the rights of injured individuals to fair compensation. Rest assured that when you hire our firm you are getting a veteran group of attorneys and support staff to protect you.