Partner Christopher D. Smith Named to Benchmark Litigation’s Benchmark 40 and Under US 2026 List

Bailey Glasser partner Christopher D. Smith has earned a spot on Benchmark Litigation’s Benchmark 40 and Under US 2026 List, which recognizes leading litigators aged 40 and younger across the country. Chris is recognized for his appellate, commercial, and defense work and this marks his second consecutive year receiving this honor.

According to Benchmark Litigation, the 2026 guide is the most comprehensive to date, featuring 615 lawyers. The publication describes the honorees as among the “best and brightest litigators” in the United States and the country’s “top emerging talent in litigation.”

This recognition is fitting for Chris, as he is handling two closely watched significant matters on behalf of the West Virginia Board of Education where he is leading litigation in West Virginia to protect schoolchildren concerning the state’s 80-year-old mandatory vaccination statute which requires all students to be vaccinated in order to attend public schools. West Virginia allows medical exemptions to the vaccine requirements for students whose health would be compromised by vaccines, like immunocompromised students.  It is the only state which has never allowed religious exemptions. The litigation has received nationwide attention, including from The New York Times who quoted Chris about the case. He was also a featured panelist at the 2025 Public Health Law Conference, where he discussed legislative and judicial trends affecting vaccine policy.

In addition to his appellate and commercial litigation work, Chris has a deep and longstanding commitment to legal education and community service. This fall, he returned to his alma mater, the West Virginia University College of Law, to teach Appellate Advocacy and help train the next generation of lawyers. He also serves on the Board of Directors of Daymark Inc., a West Virginia nonprofit providing housing, education, career training, and critical support to young people experiencing homelessness or transitioning to independent adulthood.

In addition to this recognition, Chris has been named a Lawdragon 500 X - The Next Generation, a Best Lawyers Ones to Watch® in numerous categories, and more.  To learn more about Chris, please click HERE. 

We appreciate Benchmark Litigation naming Chris to this list and congratulate all recipients of this recognition across the country.