Mr. Smith is a retired attorney with more than 43 years of experience. He was a partner of Jones Day from 2005 until his retirement on December 31, 2020, specializing in complex business and tort litigation. During his tenure, Mr. Smith represented major corporations in multistate tax litigation, constitutional challenges, and high-profile commercial disputes in state and federal courts across the United States. From 1981 until 2005, he practiced law at Smith Gambrell & Russell, was elected to the partnership in 1989, served on the Executive and Compensation Committees, and was appointed head of the Litigation Department. For nearly a decade, he acted as Havertys' primary outside counsel. Beginning in 2021, Mr. Smith continued practicing law for select clients as E. Kendrick Smith Law LLC. Mr. Smith earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Georgia School of Law, where he served on the Georgia Law Review, and his Bachelor of Arts from the University of North Carolina. Beyond his legal career, Mr. Smith is deeply engaged in civic and cultural organizations. He currently serves as Board Chair of the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta, serves on the boards of the Woodruff Arts Center, the John & Mary Franklin Foundation, and the Clarke/Carley American Inn of Court.