William H. Smith

Biography

Bill Smith loves history. As he reflects on his history at Steptoe & Johnson, it’s the sustained friendships he has built with clients and colleagues that make him smile. In his early practice he helped business owners, many who were young entrepreneurs, get started, grow their enterprises, and in some cases, transition ownership. Then Bill tapped into his love of history to evolve his practice into the area of complex mineral title. He became familiar with record rooms in counties across West Virginia and recalls that digging around in courthouse basements caused him to became an early supporter of digitized property records. He is part of the energy team at the forefront of the energy industry in West Virginia and is proud to drive through the state and see active drilling rigs, established businesses, and energy industry investments he helped become reality. When you talk with Bill, ask him about Chris, Jimmy, and Rob – clients who became friends and the journey they shared – and ask him about the strangest thing he ever uncovered in a record room.