Smith, Eric B.

A distinguished lawyer and community volunteer, Brent is one of several Johns, Flaherty & Collins attorneys who exemplify the ‘good neighbors, great lawyers’ philosophy of the firm.

Brent received both undergraduate (1975) and law degrees (1978) from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. He is a member of the La Crosse County Bar Association, the State Bar of Wisconsin and the State Bar of Minnesota and is admitted to practice in the states of Wisconsin and Minnesota, the United States Court of Appeals (Seventh Circuit) and the United States District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin.

A member of our litigation and business/employment practice groups, Brent focuses on personal injury, insurance defense, malpractice defense, product liability law, professional liability law, real estate law, employment law, worker’s compensation law, health law, business law and mediation and arbitration.

Brent is committed to professional activities that advance the professional and ethical practice of law. Indicating his extensive courtroom experience and high ethical standards, he is one of only 65 active Wisconsin members of the American Board of Trial Advocates. He also has accepted appointments from three of Wisconsin’s foremost political leaders. Former Governor Tony Earl appointed Brent to the State Public Defender Board, Senator Herb Kohl appointed him to the Wisconsin Federal Nominating Commission for Federal Judges, and Governor Jim Doyle appointed him to the Wisconsin Technical College System Board. He also serves on the University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents.

In addition, Brent has been heavily involved in activities that promote La Crosse. He has been president of the La Crosse Center Board since 1993 and serves as a member of the Gundersen Lutheran Health Plan Board of Directors, the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse Chancellor’s Community Council and the executive board of the La Crosse Loggers baseball team.