Loren B. Smith, Partner

Doctor of Jurisprudence
Baylor University School of Law, 1991

Bachelor of Business Administration (Economics & Finance)
Baylor University, with honors, 1988

Olson & Olson, LLP | Houston, Texas | 2010 – present | Partner
Olson & Olson, LLP | Houston, Texas | 2002 – 2010 | Attorney
Law Office of Loren B. Smith | Longview, Texas | 1998 – 2001 | Principal
Bunt, Smith & Wright, PLLC | Longview, Texas | 1996 – 1998 | Founding Partner
Roberts, Hill & Calk, PC | Longview, Texas | 1991 – 1996 | Associate

Loren currently represents local governmental entities with particular interest in land use regulations and the exercise of rights of eminent domain. During his 27 year career, Loren has handled more than 250 property acquisitions using the power of eminent domain, exclusively representing local governmental entities. He has assisted in the acquisition of hundreds of parcels for the completion of public works projects and, when necessary, handled these cases through trial and appeal. Additionally, Loren is certified in Labor and Employment Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, and he routinely advises local governmental entities on personnel and labor matters. He also advises local governmental entities on compliance with the Texas Open Meetings Act and assists in the handling of Public Information Requests.

• Provides annual training to City Councilmembers, Building Standards Commissions, Planning and Zoning Commissions, and the Board of Adjustments.
• Sovereign Immunity in Eminent Domain Proceedings, presented at CLE International Eminent Domain Seminar, August 2017, Dallas, Texas
• Breaking Up Is Hard To Do, presented at Texas Municipal League Annual Conference, October 11, 2013, Austin, Texas
• Eminent Domain by Accident: Private Road v. Public Road Issues, Olson & Olson, LLP’s Fall Seminar, January 2010, Houston, Texas
• Firing At-Will Employees, Olson & Olson, LLP’s Fall Seminar, January 2009, Houston, Texas
• What You Need to Know About Public Records and Open Meetings in Texas, paper, Lorman Educational Services, December 2008, Houston, Texas
• Job Performance Reviews, Olson & Olson, LLP’s Fall Seminar, November 2007, Houston, Texas
• Rave Reviews: Performance Evaluations, Problem Employees, and Municipal Officers, Olson & Olson, LLP’s Fall Seminar, November 2006, Houston, Texas
• What’s So Notable About Being A Notary, presented to the Salt Grass Chapter of the Texas Municipal Clerks Association, November 2006, Houston, Texas
• Impairments Under the Americans With Disabilities Act, paper and oral presentation to clients and public officials at Olson & Olson, LLP’s Fall Seminar, November 2005, Houston, Texas
• Senate Bill 7, New Limits on Eminent Domain, paper and presentation to clients and public officials at Olson & Olson, LLP’s Fall Seminar, November 2005, Houston, Texas
• What’s So Notable About Being A Notary, presented to the Salt Grass Chapter of the Texas Municipal Clerks Association, September 2005, Houston, Texas
• It’s Good To Be King (Or Not): Employment Law Issues Unique To The Governmental Employer, paper, State Bar of Texas Suing and Defending Governmental Entities Boot Camp, July 2005, San Antonio, Texas
• Variance Issues in Building Permit Error Cases, paper and presentation to Texas City Attorneys Association, Semi-Annual Summer Conference, June 2005, South Padre Island, Texas
• Eminent Domain Update, paper and oral presentation to Texas City Attorneys Association, Semi-Annual Summer Conference, June 2005, South Padre Island, Texas
• Public Information Act: Confidential Records: Police Department Records and Human Resource Records, presented to the Salt Grass Chapter of the Texas Municipal Clerks Association, March 2005, Houston, Texas
• Open Meetings Act, presented to the Salt Grass Chapter of the Texas Municipal Clerks Association, March 2005, Houston, Texas
• Military Leave, oral presentation to clients and public officials at Olson & Olson, LLP’s Fall Seminar, November 2004, Houston, Texas

Active member of Tallowood Baptist Church
Enjoys coaching sons in basketball and baseball