Elizabeth Connellan Smith
Counsel
Beth has litigated numerous employment and labor law matters in the course of her practice, primarily defending claims brought against Maine employers. She has handled cases at all stages of litigation before state and federal trial courts, state and federal administrative agencies, and the Maine Supreme Judicial Court sitting as the Law Court.
Beth has a particular depth of knowledge in workers’ compensation law, including the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act. Beth is a member of the National Workers’ Compensation Defense Network (NWCDN), and an American Bar Association College of Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Fellow as well as currently serving on the Board of Governors of that organization.
Relevant Experience
- Successfully defended a case brought by a home health nurse who fell in her own driveway yet sought workers’ compensation benefits for her injuries
- Successfully litigated, in conjunction with the Equal Opportunity Employment Commission (EEOC), the first case in Maine involving allegations of a violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act with respect to mental health disability, among other employment-related claims; Beth obtained a settlement on behalf of a client in excess of $350,000
- Successfully defended an appeal of a favorable decision on an alleged work injury claim through the Maine Supreme Judicial Court sitting as the Law Court
- Assisted numerous clients in drafting and maintaining affirmative action plans, as well as provided training to supervisors and administrators of the plans
- Authored articles in national publications on employment law issues and lectured on issues of employment law and litigation in a variety of forums
Services/Industries
Education
- University of Maine School of Law (J.D.)
- Bowdoin College (A.B., cum laude)
Bar Admissions
- Maine
- Massachusetts
Court and Other Admissions
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit
- U.S. District Court for the District of Maine
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
Memberships
- President, National Workers’ Compensation Defense Network (2022-2023)
- Board of Governors, The College of Workers’ Compensation Lawyers (2022-)
- Chair, Trial and Insurance Practice Workers’ Compensation Committee, American Bar Association (2021-2022)
- Maine State and Cumberland Bar Associations
- Executive Board, National Workers’ Compensation Defense Network (2018-present)
- Employer Co-chair, American Bar Association Workers’ Compensation Standing Committee (2017-2019)
- Red Mass Committee, Co-chair, 2003-2005; Founding Member of Host Committee (1998)
- Member, Women’s Law Section and Employment Law Section of the Maine State Bar Association
- Cumberland Bar Association (1992-1998, 2006-present)
- Secretary, National Workers’ Compensation Defense Network (NWCDN) (2019-2020)
- Boston Bar Association (2007)
- Fellow, American Bar Association College of Workers’ Compensation Lawyers (2014-present)
Honors
- AV® Rated by Martindale-Hubbell
- Recognized in Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business under Labor & Employment
- Listed in The Best Lawyers in America® under Workers’ Compensation Law – Employers in Portland, Maine
- Selected by peers for inclusion in New England Super Lawyers under Workers’ Compensation, Employment & Labor
Learn more about the third-party ratings, rankings, and selection processes used for inclusion.
Resources
Events