Skip to content

Internet Explorer is no longer supported by this website.

For optimal browsing we recommend using Chrome, Firefox or Safari.
hannah-m-smith

Hannah M. Smith

Hannah Smith is a litigator in the areas of white collar criminal defense, business litigation, and real estate litigation.

Hannah defends clients, both corporate and individuals, in matters involving fraud, public corruption, tax matters, RICO, and housing violations. Her experience includes extensive trial practice – having litigated more than 65 trials – and appellate work. She also dedicates part of her practice to land use and zoning, seeking to secure approval for clients and engage in litigation related to these issues.

Hannah joined Tucker Ellis after spending six years in the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office as an assistant prosecuting attorney in the General Felony Division. She also gained experience arguing appellate issues at the Eighth District Court of Appeals.

While in law school, Hannah worked as an extern for the Civil Division of the United States Attorney’s Office, preparing memoranda and motions on issues related to immigration, confidentiality, medical malpractice, and tax law. Previously, she served as a judicial extern for the Honorable Donald C. Nugent at the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, where she gained valuable insight while observing jury trials, pretrial hearings, and status conferences.

In any free time she can muster, Hannah enjoys attending and participating in sporting events, bouldering, and hiking around her hometown of Cleveland. She is an avid moviegoer and educates herself with random trivia knowledge and crosswords.

Education
Cleveland State University College of Law (J.D., cum laude, 2013); Civil Litigation and Dispute Resolution Concentration; Cleveland State Law Review, Articles Editor; Moot Court Team, Chair; Best Brief in Region, National Moot Court Competition (2012); Top Brief in Region, ABA Moot Court Competition (2012)
Yale University (B.A., 2010)
State Admissions
Ohio, 2013
Federal Admissions
United States District Court, Northern District of Ohio
United States District Court, Southern District of Ohio

Publications

  • “Using the Scientific Method in the Law: Examining State Interlocutory Appeals Procedures that Would Improve Uniformity, Efficiency, and Fairness in the Federal Appellate System,” 61 Clev. St. L. Rev. 259 (2013)
  • Top 25 Under 35 Movers & Shakers, The Cleveland Professional 20/30 Club (2023)
  • Outstanding Contributions by an Emerging Leader, Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office (2016)
  • Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association
    • Bar Admissions Committee
  • Women’s White Collar Defense Association
  • Irish-American Law Society (2015-present)
    • Secretary (2019-present)
    • Executive Board Member (2017-present)
  • Cleveland Council on World Affairs
    • Young Professionals Advisory Committee
      • Social Chair (2021-2023)
  • Cleveland-Marshall College of Law Alumni Association Mentor Program
  • The William K. Thomas American Inn of Court