Stephen Smith Named Chair of the State Bar of Georgia Environmental Law Section
The Environmental Law Section of the State Bar of Georgia recently appointed Stephen P. Smith as Chair for the 2026–2027 bar year. The Section connects lawyers from industry, federal and state government, and public interest organizations and provides CLE credit and networking opportunities related to environmental issues impacting Georgia. Stephen previously served as the Section’s Vice-Chair and Secretary.
"Stephen has built an outstanding reputation as both an environmental lawyer and leader within Georgia's legal community," said Marc Goldstein, Firmwide Managing Principal. "His appointment as Chair reflects the respect he has earned among his peers and his dedication to fostering collaboration, professional development, and excellence in environmental law. We congratulate Stephen on this well-deserved achievement."
As a former Associate Regional Counsel for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 4’s Office of Regional Counsel, Stephen leads a national practice providing comprehensive regulatory support to clients based on his deep understanding of how federal and state governments approach enforcement actions, permitting, compliance, environmental cleanups, and spill response. This includes extensive experience navigating all types of Superfund and state cleanup actions, as well as defending EPA and state enforcement and compliance actions pursuant to nearly every environmental law. Grounded in common-sense solutions, Stephen develops effective liability and defense strategies, facilitates in-depth technical assessments and coordination between consultants, experts, and regulators, responds to emergency releases and related reporting, and advises clients regarding environmental due diligence transactions and risk mitigation.
Stephen is deeply committed to his Atlanta community. He is a graduate of Leadership Atlanta, Leadership DeKalb, LEAD Atlanta, and the Atlanta Federal Executive Board’s Leadership Government. He currently serves on the Board of Advisors for the Georgia State University School of Public Health and the Board of Directors for the Decide DeKalb Economic Development Authority, where he serves as Treasurer. He also previously served on the boards of Morris Brown College, one of six Historically Black Colleges and Universities in Atlanta; Trinity Community Ministries, a transitional housing and rehabilitation facility supporting the recovery and successful transition of Atlanta’s homeless and veteran community; and the Avondale Elementary School Education Foundation, which seeks to enhance educational opportunities for underserved students at a Title I school in DeKalb County.
