Justin Smith

Our practice and experience focus on aggressive criminal defense, DUI defense, personal injury, and child services investigations throughout Pennsylvania. If our team of experienced attorneys at Sebald, Hackwelder, & Knox are unable to take your case – we will be sure to refer you to another qualified attorney in Erie, PA. Attorney Smith was born and raised in Erie, Pennsylvania. After graduating from McDowell High School, he attended Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, where he graduated magna cum laude and earned a bachelor’s degree in business. He earned his Juris Doctor from Appalachian School of Law. During law school, Attorney Smith participated in prestigious programs such as the Charlotte Law Review, Order of the Crown, and an Honors Program reserved for high-achieving students. He earned multiple awards for his performance in the areas of legal research and writing, and graduated as the salutatorian (ranked second overall) of his class. Attorney Smith began his career with a small firm where, among other things, he represented clients in family law matters. He then joined the Erie County District Attorney‘s Office as an assistant district attorney. As a prosecutor for roughly four years, Attorney Smith handled hundreds of cases, and gained extensive trial experience involving crimes such as DUI, aggravated assault, possession with intent to deliver, and criminal homicide, among many others. Since leaving the District Attorney’s Office, Attorney Smith has aggressively defended clients in criminal and protection from abuse matters in more than a half-dozen counties throughout northwestern Pennsylvania. He is licensed to practice in every court throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, as well as in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania and the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. Attorney Smith takes pride in his prioritization of communicating with his clients, and keeping them involved and informed at every stage of their legal matters. As a trial attorney with experience from both a prosecutor’s and a defense attorney’s perspective, Attorney Smith is well–equipped to zealously advocate on behalf of his clients in both criminal defense and family law matters. I was charged with theft by extortion, a 3rd degree felony which carries a possible sentence of 7 years in prison and 15,000 in fines. Against my better judgement, I took the advice of Stephen and pled guilty for a reduced sentence. Because I listened to his expert advice, I will serve NO prison time, NO jail time, and my fine was minimal. Thanks again Stephen for a tough uphill battle, and you never gave up.