E. HARDY SMITH
LAWYER & MEDIATOR
PRACTICE AREAS
Legal Services Offered:
Mediation & Alternate Dispute Resolution Services
Hardy Smith provides professional mediation services as a neutral settlement facilitator to attorneys and their clients or unrepresented parties related to civil disputes, whether or not the matter is in litigation. In Pepperdine University's course, "Mediating the Litigated Case," taught by distinguished faculty of the Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution, he refined his skills in bringing disputing parties to an agreement. Hardy's calm temperament, compassionate demeanor and ability to quickly identify the goals of the parties and assess the strengths and weaknesses of their positions allow him to effectively mediate and obtain resolution in a variety of categories of disputes.
Matters appropriate for mediation may arise from personal injury, professional malpractice, contract or business disputes, governmental or regulatory disputes, employment disputes related to contracts or allegations of discrimination, neighbor or neighborhood disputes, and administrative or regulatory matters.
To schedule a mediation, please use the information provided under the “Contact” tab.
Client Representation & Legal Practice
Hardy Smith represents clients in a wide range of civil matters, including:
Professional License & Disciplinary Complaints
Hardy counsels and provides representation to healthcare providers and other licensed professionals with matters involving Arizona state licensing and regulatory boards. Such boards or agencies include:
Arizona Medical Board (Board of Medical Examiners)
Licensing of Medical Doctors, Physician Assistants and Medical Assistants.
Arizona Dental Board (Board of Dental Examiners)
Licensing of Dentists, Orthodontists, Oral Surgeons, Dental Hygienists and Denturists.
Arizona State Board of Nursing
Licensing of Registered Nurses (RN), Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN), Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA), Nurse Practitioners (NP/FNP), Clinical Nurse Specialists, Certified Nurse Midwives, and Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA).
Arizona Board of Osteopathic Examiners
Arizona Board of Psychologist Examiners
Licensing of Psychologists and Certified Behavioral Analysts
Arizona State Board of Physical Therapy
Licensing of Physical Therapists and Physical Therapist Assistants.
Arizona Naturopathic Physicians Medical Board
Arizona Board of Chiropractic Examiners
Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners
Licensing of clinical, master and baccalaureate social workers, professional and associate counselors, marriage and family therapists and associate therapists, and independent substance abuse counselors, associate substance abuse counselors and substance abuse technicians.
Arizona State Veterinary Medical Examining Board
Licensing of Veterinarians and Veterinary Technicians
With any matter putting your professional license at risk, time really is “of the essence.” Please do not delay in responding to any communications from your State Licensing Board or in seeking legal counsel if you have questions or concerns regarding your rights.
To schedule a consultation concerning a professional licensing matter, complaint or disciplinary proceedings involving any professional licensing board or agency, please call or use the email form provided under the “Contact” tab.
Professional Malpractice Defense
A claim of malpractice against a licensed professional is personal because it asserts that the professional did not meet the standards of his or her profession. Claims against doctors, nurses, therapists, lawyers, accountants and architects can damage not just professional reputations but also careers and livelihoods. Hardy works closely with the client and the malpractice insurance carrier to investigate and fully understand the claim and defenses, to obtain the right experts and to aggressively challenge malpractice claims as to both liability and damages. It is not uncommon for malpractice cases to be successfully defended on the basis of deficiencies in the opponents’ experts’ qualifications or opinions.
Early involvement of defense counsel can be critical in successfully defending, or even avoiding, a professional malpractice claim. In addition, it is vitally important that information regarding a claim or potential claim be conveyed to your malpractice insurer as soon as you know or suspect a claim may arise.
If you have been sued, are threatened with suit or are worried that circumstances may give rise to a professional malpractice claim, please call to schedule a consultation. Alternatively, feel free to use the email form provided under the “Contact” tab.
Appeals
Hardy has effectively represented numerous clients with matters on appeal in civil litigation or from administrative law decisions. He is an effective oral advocate as well as a thorough researcher and excellent legal writer. He may be retained as primary counsel for the appeal or as co-counsel to join forces with trial counsel on the appeal issues.
The time in which an appeal can be filed is generally specified by a court or administrative rule. The time for appeal begins to run with the issuance of the decision or ruling to be appealed and deadlines are strictly enforced. If you believe you have an appeal, or if you must respond to an appeal of a decision or ruling in your favor, please monitor carefully the time for appeal and do not delay in seeking legal counsel to protect your rights.
To schedule a consultation concerning an appeal or response to an appeal, please call or use the email form provided under the “Contact” tab.
Personal Injury and Death Claims
Hardy's extensive experience representing both plaintiffs and defendants in cases involving serious personal injury or death allows him to accurately evaluate such cases and effectively advocate and recover damages for his clients with legally and economically viable personal injury and wrongful death claims. There is no charge for his initial consultation and review of your claim involving serious personal injury or death related to:
• Defectively Designed or Manufactured Product
• Negligently Provided Repairs or Services
• Motor Vehicle or Other Accident
• Medical Malpractice
Personal injury and wrongful death claims expire if they are not filed within certain time frames specified by law. Depending upon circumstances, it may be necessary to assert a claim in a period as short as 180 days from the date of the event causing the injury. To protect your rights, please contact legal counsel as soon as you think you may have a claim so that you will be aware of the time frames applicable to your case.
To schedule a consultation and review of your claims for personal injury or wrongful death, please call or use the email form provided under the “Contact” tab.
Insurance and Bad Faith
Having handled literally hundreds of matters on behalf of insurance companies and their insureds, Hardy now offers his knowledge of insurance law and litigation experience to clients in matters concerning insurance coverage, breach of the insurance contract and bad faith.
To schedule a consultation concerning a matter related to insurance coverage, breach of the insurance policy or bad faith, please call or use the email form provided under the “Contact” tab.
Claims Related to Contract or Business Disputes
Hardy has successfully represented scores of clients – both plaintiffs and defendants - in a wide range of matters arising from contracts or business disputes, including:
• Commercial Litigation
• Litigation of General Civil Matters
• Breach of Contract
• Business Disputes
• Disputes Related to Provision of Professional Services
To schedule a consultation and case review of your contract or business matter, please call or use the email form provided under the “Contact” tab.