Steve Smith has three decades of experience advising clients on ethics and compliance, litigation, and labor and employment matters in Kentucky, Ohio, and Indiana. He is Bricker Graydon’s Associate General Counsel, working in ethics and compliance since 2006.  He also provides strategic counsel to clients on a wide range of issues, including B to B litigation, internal investigations, and the day-to-day challenges that arise in the workplace. He has extensive experience in negotiations and dispute resolution.

Steve provides practical insight and strategic counsel to help clients navigate both routine workforce matters and complex disputes. Having worn many hats throughout his career, he brings seasoned judgment to a client’s legal issues. 

Steve lives in Ft. Mitchell, KY with regional Emmy award winning writer Vicki Prichard, dogs Edgar and Oberon, and Fritz the cat. His family tree falls from journalists from Iowa, corn and pig farmers in Indiana, and entrepreneurial inventors in West Virginia.

Education

Denison University, B.A., History, 1988 University of Kentucky Patterson School of Diplomacy, M.A., Negotiations Economics, 1990

University of Kentucky Patterson School of Diplomacy, M.A., Negotiations Economics (1990)

University of Cincinnati College of Law, J.D. (1995)

Distinctions

• AV Preeminent Attorney Rating
• President, Kentucky Bar Association (2019-2020)
• Member, Appointed to Kentucky Chief Justice’s Committee on Disciplinary Rules (2023 -present)
• Member, Appointed to Kentucky Judicial Ethics Committee (2022 – present)
• Chair, Kentucky Bar Association Annual Convention (2024)
• Delegate, Kentucky Delegate to the ABA House of Delegates (2022-present)

Professional Activities

• American Bar Association - House of Delegates for Kentucky (2025)
• American Bar Association – United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Additional Representative for the U.S. (2025–2026)
•  Chair of the Kentucky Judicial Ethics Committee (JEC) (2024)
• Northern Kentucky Bar Association - Member - Past President (2007) - President (2006) - President Elect (2005) - Secretary (2004) - Board of Directors (2003-2004)
• Cincinnati Bar Association - Board of Directors (2000-2002) - Chair of YLS (2001) - Chair-elect of YLS (2000) - Secretary (1999) - YLS Board of Directors (1998)
• Kentucky Bar Association - Board of Governors (June 2011-2017) - Ethics Hotline Representative (2005-2012) - Ethics Committee - Member (2005-2012) - Rules Committee Member (2014-Present)
• Kentucky Bar Association - Rules Committee Chair (2015-2019)
• Kentucky Bar Association - Evidence Rules Review Commission (2017-2018)
• Kentucky Bar Association - Chief Justice's Committee on the Future of the Practice of Law (2018)
• Leadership Northern Kentucky - Class of 2004
• Cincinnati Academy Leadership for Lawyers (CALL) Class V - 2001

News

Resource Centers

Blog Posts

Speaking Engagements

Publications

Additional Items

Federal CJA Ethics Seminar (September 2023)

Steve and Vicki enjoy cooking, reading, travelling, time with grandson Tucker, and fun with both of Vicki’s daughters, Jenni and Hannah. Keeping up with a large, complicated garden keeps everyone busy.