Daniel E. Smith II, Esquire

05/22/2025

𝗧𝗵𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗪𝗮𝗹𝗸: 𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗜𝗻 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀

A year ago, some of the goals we tossed around during these early morning walks felt out of reach. Big ideas. Unlikely dreams.

Today, we’re living out many of them—and it’s a reminder that the “impossible” just needs consistency, vision, and a little faith.

Last thursday, we hit the gym, took in the sunrise, and talked about setting stretch goals again—because if we’ve made the impossible feel normal, it’s time to raise the bar.

Walk the talk. Build the vision. Repeat.

05/20/2025

I used to rely on scribbled notes during depositions—rushed thoughts, last-minute observations, and that ever-growing legal pad.

Now, I use AI.

During a depo, I feed real-time thoughts into an AI assistant that organizes them by theme—like timeline issues, credibility flags, or gaps in memory. I’ve already prepped my cross, of course—but this lets me layer in new insights without losing focus.

It’s the same instincts—just smarter tools.

05/15/2025

Listen to Pixar Dan.

05/15/2025

#𝗪𝗮𝗹𝗸𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗸 – 𝗗𝗼𝗴 𝗘𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 🐾

I missed my usual Thursday morning walk-and-talk. Slept in. But the dogs held me accountable.

Turns out, some of the best conversations happen in silence—with tails wagging and leashes in hand.

Back on track next week with our team, but this one reminded me: the practice of showing up—however it looks—is what counts.

Sometimes the best conversations are wordless.

05/13/2025

𝗠𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗱𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝗯𝗮𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝘀𝘄𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗔𝗜.
𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗮𝘀𝗸 𝗯𝗮𝗱 𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀.

I’ve been experimenting with how prompts change outcomes — not just for drafting , but for real systems like intake tracking, jury prep, and case strategy.

This post breaks down how small prompt shifts can save time and sharpen results — because trial lawyers already know that asking the right question is half the battle.

𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐄𝐱𝐡𝐢𝐛𝐢𝐭 𝐀𝐈 — 𝐚 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐥𝐚𝐰𝐲𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐟𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫, 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐬𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐫, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐡𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐧.

05/08/2025

𝗕𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗵𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘀 𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝘄𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝗹𝗸.

Every Thursday morning, I walk with members of the firm. We talk about life, leadership, and the people we serve.

05/06/2025

“𝗕𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗼𝘂𝘀. 𝗗𝗼 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗯𝗲 𝗮𝗳𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗱; 𝗱𝗼 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗯𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗱, 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗼𝗿𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗚𝗼𝗱 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗯𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗴𝗼.” — 𝗝𝗼𝘀𝗵𝘂𝗮 𝟭:𝟵

Today’s reflection at Men’s Breakfast centered on Chazaq Amats — the ancient Hebrew phrase that means “Be strong and courageous.”

It’s a leadership principle as much as a spiritual one: courage is rarely convenient. It usually shows up when the pressure is high and the outcome is unclear.

In advocacy, in business, and in life — strength is steadiness, and courage is showing up.

05/06/2025

𝗪𝗜𝗟𝗟 𝗔𝗜 𝗥𝗘𝗣𝗟𝗔𝗖𝗘 𝗟𝗔𝗪𝗬𝗘𝗥𝗦?

Probably not. And it Definitely won't replace trial lawyers(yet). But it will widen the gap between average and exceptional.

I’m a Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyer — which means instincts, strategy, and judgment are part of the job description. But that doesn’t mean I ignore the tech.

Last week I used AI to build a referral tracking system. It didn’t make the decision for me — it just helped me focus faster, work smarter, and stay sharp.

AI isn’t here to replace top lawyers. It’s here to amplify them.

This is Exhibit AI — a new series where I share how I use artificial intelligence to run a more modern, effective practice.

05/05/2025

Cinco de Mayo responsibly… because no one wants to call their lawyer on May 6th. 😉

04/30/2025

It’s been a little while since I’ve posted an update—so here goes.

As some of you know, over the past couple of years I partnered with Brian Hogan and created Hogan Smith Law. I can honestly say it’s been one of the most fulfilling chapters of my career. I’ve had the chance to work with some incredible people along the way, and I’m genuinely thankful for every stop on the journey.

What we’re doing now at Hogan Smith is more than just legal work. It’s about restoring lives, building communities, and showing up for people when it matters most.

Some exciting things are in the works—one of them’s even animated (more on that soon).

For now, I just wanted to say thank you—to clients, colleagues, and friends—for being part of the ride.

07/24/2020

We don’t do it for the reviews, but it is still nice to hear.

We have served this community for over 30 years and our clients are why we do this work. We are incredibly grateful for your reviews and your referrals. It is an honor to serve you!

07/04/2020

Have a safe and happy 4th!