E. HARDY SMITH
LAWYER & MEDIATOR
PROFILE
E. Hardy Smith
Lawyer & Mediator
Hardy Smith is a courtroom lawyer with over three decades of experience representing clients in state and federal courts throughout Arizona. Having completed mediation training at Pepperdine University, he provides services as a mediator of litigated cases and disputes outside of litigation. Hardy holds Martindale-Hubbell’s prestigious AV rating, awarded to lawyers who have earned the respect of their peers and who adhere to the highest ethical standards.
His litigation experience includes both prosecution and defense of personal injury claims, including medical malpractice and product liability; insurance law and litigation, including coverage and bad faith claims; contracts and contract litigation; and other areas of civil litigation.
Hardy has represented scores of healthcare providers and other licensed professionals before Arizona state licensing boards (including medical, dental, nursing, osteopathic, psychologists, physical therapy, naturopathic, chiropractic, behavioral health and veterinary boards). He has assisted licensed professional clients in responding to complaints filed with regulatory boards, handling matters requiring mandatory reporting, providing representation in disciplinary investigations and administrative hearings and prosecuting appeals from administrative decisions.
Hardy provides his services as a mediator to facilitate negotiated resolution of disputes in lieu of uncertain, expensive and time consuming litigation. This role allows him to apply the legal knowledge, advocacy skills and practical courtroom experience he developed over more than 30 years spent representing clients in their own legal matters. His understanding of the law and the legal system, coupled with his mediation training and substantial experience evaluating litigation strategies, case values and probable outcomes, makes him invaluable as a facilitator of settlement outside the courtroom.
Hardy is a graduate of the University of Arizona College of Law (with distinction). He also obtained his undergraduate degree, a Bachelor of Science (with high distinction) in Animal Health Science from the University of Arizona College of Agriculture. His law practice utilizes computer technology and electronic communication to provide more efficient and effective representation.
Hardy is a strong believer in the obligation of citizens to give back to their communities, both professionally and personally. He is a trustee, past-president (2016-2021) and incorporator of the Pima County Bar Foundation, the charitable arm of the Pima County Bar Association, of which he is also a past president (2014-15). Hardy serves on the board of All Creeds Brotherhood, Inc., which owns and operates Sanctuary Cove, a nondenominational retreat and nature preserve. He is a member of the Steering Committee of the Legal Community Against Hunger and served as its Chair and Co-Chair from 2004-2014. He was a member of the board of the Diaper Bank of Southern Arizona from 2016-2022 and continues to serve on its Governance Committee. He served on the board of the Foundation for Creative Broadcasting, which operates KXCI Community Radio (91.3 FM), from 2006-2012. As a musician, he frequently performs for various community fundraising events.
For enjoyment outside of legal practice, Hardy enjoys making and listening to music (primarily in the “roots” and “Americana” categories), hiking, backpacking and camping with family and friends, and travel. He has traveled fairly extensively in Mexico as well as several other Spanish-speaking countries and is comfortable with oral and written communication in Spanish.