Smith Butz, LLC

Thomas M. Butz, Esquire

Thomas M. Butz is a Member, Partner and Co-Founder of Smith Butz, LLC. Attorney Butz concentrates his practice in the areas of Estate and Trust Planning, Guardianships, Powers of Attorney, Estate and Trust Administration, Asset Protection, Business Succession Planning, and Tax Planning.

A Pittsburgh native, Mr. Butz graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in 1979 with a Bachelor of Arts degree and obtained his Juris Doctorate from Ohio Northern University in 1983. Attorney Butz returned to Western Pennsylvania to practice law where he is licensed to practice before all Pennsylvania state courts and the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania.

Over the course of his 25 years in the practice of law, Mr. Butz has worked for some of the largest financial institutions in Pittsburgh. After starting his career with Mellon Bank Trust Department in the Estate Tax Compliance Department, Attorney Butz moved to National City Bank where he was the head of the Trust Tax Department and Estate Planning Group. Mr. Butz eventually left National City to take a position with the accounting firm of PriceWaterhouse as a member of their Personal Financial Consulting Group. In this capacity, Mr. Butz assisted his executive clients with their estate planning, financial planning and income tax planning and compliance.

Prior to founding Smith Butz, LLC, Attorney Butz was a partner at a large Pittsburgh law firm as a member of the estate planning and administration group. In that capacity, Attorney Butz counseled individuals and businesses in such matters as estate planning, fiduciary and personal income tax, irrevocable trusts, asset protection planning, business succession planning, and worked extensively with Attorney Smith litigating various estate and trust issues.

Currently, Attorney Butz is a featured columnist for the Peters Township Source Magazine where he has written several articles addressing various estate planning issues, including Guardianships, Powers of Attorney, and Modification of Wills.

Through his 25 years of experience practicing Estates and Trusts, Attorney Butz has gained considerable experience and knowledge. His diverse background allows him to provide sound, professional service for clients ranging from individuals to complex businesses. If you or someone you know is in need of assistance in these areas of law, please contact Attorney Thomas M. Butz via telephone at (724) 745-5121 or email him at tbutz@smithbutzlaw.com.

[top]

John M. Smith, Esquire

John M. Smith is a Member, Partner and Co-Founder of SMITH BUTZ, LLC. Attorney Smith decided to form his own law practice, with Attorney Thomas M. Butz, after practicing law for more than a decade in large Pittsburgh law firms. Attorney Smith focuses his practice in the areas of Commercial Litigation, Construction Litigation, Estate Litigation, Zoning and Land Use Law, Business Enterprises, Personal Injury Law, Family Law, Wills, Trusts, Estates, and Probate Law.

Attorney Smith has tried hundreds of cases representing both individuals and businesses in various courts and jurisdictions throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. As a reward for his wealth of litigation experience, Attorney Smith was invited to become a Member of the American Association of Trial Lawyers. Attorney Smith has participated in numerous high profile cases that have been covered and publicized by various news outlets. Most recently, Attorney Smith participated in a construction trial where more than $10 million was at issue and which was reported in The National Law Journal, a nationwide legal publication.

Attorney Smith was admitted to the practice of law in Pennsylvania and New Jersey in 1995. He is licensed to practice law in all Pennsylvania and New Jersey state courts, the United States District Courts for the Western District of Pennsylvania, the Middle District of Pennsylvania, and New Jersey, as well as the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. Attorney Smith is a member of the Allegheny County Bar Association, the Washington County Bar Association, the Pennsylvania Bar Association, and the New Jersey State Bar Association.

Attorney Smith received his Bachelor of Arts in Communications, Rhetoric/Political Science from the University of Pittsburgh in 1991 and his Juris Doctor Degree, magna cum laude, from Thomas M. Cooley Law School in 1995. While in law school, Attorney Smith was a member of the Law Review and graduated near the top of his class.

Attorney Smith is also active in the community. He currently serves as the Solicitor for Cecil Township, which includes Southpointe, and he is the coach of a local high school Mock Trial Team. Attorney Smith, along with his partner Thomas M. Butz, created a free estate planning program for the Veterans of Cecil Township who belong to the local American Legion.

Attorney Smith lives in Cecil, PA with his wife, Kendra, and their three children. Attorney John M. Smith is available to provide legal assistance in any of the areas mentioned above and he can be reached via telephone at (724) 745-5121 or email at jmsmith@smithbutzlaw.com.

[top]

John E. Lienert, Esquire

John E. Lienert is an Associate Attorney at SMITH BUTZ, LLC. His practice covers various areas of the law including, but not limited to, commercial, construction, and estate litigation. He also focuses in the areas of domestic relations matters, consumer credit matters, and municipal law.

Attorney Lienert was admitted to the practice of law in Pennsylvania in 2006 and West Virginia in 2007. He is licensed to practice in all Pennsylvania and West Virginia state courts as well as the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, and the Southern District of West Virginia. Attorney Lienert is a member of the Pennsylvania Bar Association, the Allegheny County Bar Association, the Washington County Bar Association, the West Virginia Bar Association, and the American Bar Association.

Attorney Lienert graduated summa cum laude from Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania in 2003 with a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy. While at Slippery Rock, Mr. Lienert served as President of the Law Society, was a Presenter at the State System of Higher Education’s Philosophy Conference, and received the prestigious Outstanding Philosophy Student Award for 2003.

Attorney Lienert received his Juris Doctor Degree from Ohio Northern University – Claude W. Pettit College of Law in 2006. During law school, Attorney Lienert served as Associate Editor for the Law Review and published the article, State v. Lozier, 101 Ohio St. 3d 161, 31 OHIO N.U.L.REV. 552 (2005). Attorney Lienert was also presented with two CALI Excellence for the Future Awards in Civil Practice and Real Estate Transactions and Finance. During his second year of law school, Attorney Lienert served as an intern for THE HONORABLE JUDGE WALTER H. RICE in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio. Attorney Lienert also participated in the O.N.U. Legal Clinic where he provided representation to indigent clients.

When not engaged in the practice of law, Attorney Lienert enjoys reading, playing golf, exercising, and rooting for all of Pittsburgh’s sports teams. If you or someone you know is need of legal assistance, please contact Attorney John E. Lienert via telephone at (724) 745-5121 or email at jelienert@smithbutzlaw.com.

[top]

Christopher W. Rogers

Christopher W. Rogers is an Associate Attorney at Smith Butz, LLC. His practice areas include Estate and Trust Planning and Corporate Law.

In 2006, Attorney Rogers was admitted to the practice of law in Pennsylvania. He is licensed to practice in all Pennsylvania state courts as well as the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania. Attorney Rogers is a member of the Pennsylvania Bar Association, the Allegheny County Bar Association, the Washington County Bar Association, and the American Bar Association.

Attorney Rogers graduated magna cum laude from The University of Pittsburgh in 2003 with a Bachelor of Arts in History and Anthropology. While there, Mr. Rogers received the Academic Achievement Scholarship and was a member of the Golden Key International Honors Society.

Attorney Rogers received his Juris Doctor Degree from Duquesne University School of Law in 2006. During his time there, Mr. Rogers concentrated his coursework in litigation and received two CALI Excellence for the Future Awards in Sanctions, Sentencing, and Corrections and Deposition Skills.

From November 2005 to March 2007, Attorney Rogers served as a law clerk for the firm of Goodrich & Goodrich, P.C. There, he worked alongside the attorneys and assisted with litigation in practice areas such as personal injury, automobile insurance, contracts, civil rights, insurance bad faith, and estate administration.

When not engaged in the practice of law, Attorney Rogers enjoys playing the guitar, exercising, watching movies, and playing hockey. If you or someone you know is need of legal assistance, please contact Attorney Christopher W. Rogers via telephone at (724) 745-5121 or email at crogers@smithbutzlaw.com.

[top]