The Law Offices of Smith & White, PLLC

Specialties

*Bold, Savvy & Elite, Smith & White PLLC provide the following services to clients: We defend against criminal allegations including DUI, Domestic Violence, Assault, Drug (VUCSA), Robbery, Murder, Burglary and other offenses on a case by case basis. We also defend against government attempts to seize assets and/​or property of citizens. Our trial attorneys handle protection orders and tort claims/​personal injury on a case by case basis.

*Lawyers are prohibited by the rules of Legal Ethics from claiming a specialty.

History

Established in 2004.

Derek Smith and James White met walking into the law school building in 1993. They teamed up for moot court and client counseling competitions and have been an effective team from the beginning. James was a public defender for 10 years before becoming a principal at White & White and then Legacy Legal. Then he teamed up with Derek once again at the Law Offices of Smith and White, PLLC. Derek has lived in Tacoma since 1993. Since law school, he has continually practiced criminal law working in Tacoma, Kent and Seattle. After running for Tacoma Judge in 2010, Derek teamed up with James to form Smith and White. Derek is a Judge Pro Tem in Federal Way and other jurisdictions. James has resided in Kent and Seattle and now maintains homes in Tacoma & Vashon.

Meet the Business Owner

James J. W.

Business Owner

James has focused his career on criminal defense, with extensive experience in DUI and felony criminal defense. He has negotiated thousands of DUI and criminal defense cases to positive outcomes for his clients, and defended dozens in courtroom trials.

James’ local career began in 1995 working for the Department of Assigned Counsel (DAC) in Tacoma, WA. In 1997 he moved to the Associated Counsel for the Accused (ACA) in King County. At ACA he was quickly promoted to the felony unit, where he negotiated and tried cases before the King County Superior Court. James was undefeated in felony trial during his two year rotation although it required that he seek redress in the Court of Appeals. Serving as a public defender through 2004, he worked mainly on DUI and Domestic Violence cases.

James was selected to serve as the lead counsel in King County District Court for the Mental Health Court, which serves as a model for mental health courts in this and other states, where he was awarded