Whet Smith

Whet Smith is a dynamic legal professional with a rich background spanning education, estate planning, and litigation. With over 18 years of experience representing clients in a myriad of legal matters, Whet brings a unique blend of expertise and dedication to every case he handles. A native Texan, Whet’s journey from the classroom to the courtroom is a testament to his passion for serving others and his commitment to excellence in the legal profession.

Born and raised in Texas, Whet’s journey in academia began at Georgetown University, where he earned his Bachelor’s Degree. Inspired by a desire... to make a difference in his community, Whet pursued further education, obtaining a law degree from Harvard University and a Master’s of Public Affairs from the University of Texas. His diverse educational background laid the foundation for his multifaceted career in law and public service.

Whet practiced law for 13 years in Houston, Texas.  Starting as general counsel of a small financial services firm, Whet built his own firm specializing in representing senior citizen clients in matters of wills, trusts, estates, and guardianship.  During this time, he provided compassionate and expert legal guidance to individuals and families, ensuring their wishes were protected and their futures secured.  Whet also served as a full-service resource for his clients, also assisting them with corporate formation, immigration, and litigation disputes when needed.

In 2018, Whet decided to take a hiatus from the legal profession to assist his high school by filling in as an emergency substitute teacher for a semester.  He ended up teaching for five years. During this time, he had the invaluable opportunity to inspire and educate future generations, fostering skills in communication, leadership, and critical thinking. Teaching provided Whet with a fresh perspective and renewed energy, allowing him to approach legal challenges with creativity and empathy upon his return.

Using his legal background, Whet started coaching high school Mock Trial, becoming one of the most successful coaches in the nation.  In three full years of coaching, Whet won two Nevada State Championships, the 2021 Empire World Championship, and led his team a fourth place finish in the 2022 National Championship.  He continues to coach Mock Trial even after returning to the legal profession full time, devoting several nights a week to coaching at Henrico High School, where he helped them to the 2024 Virginia State Championship and a third place finish at the subsequent National Championship.  Most importantly, Whet has instilled in countless students the values of teamwork, critical thinking, public speaking, and advocacy.

Whet seamlessly integrated the lessons learned from teaching into his practice, bringing a unique blend of compassion and legal expertise to every case. This journey underscores Whet’s dedication to personal and professional growth, illustrating how diverse experiences can enhance one’s effectiveness as a legal advocate.

Driven by a desire to broaden his legal expertise, Whet joined DBL, where he now focuses primarily on litigation matters while also handling trust and estate cases. With a comprehensive understanding of corporate litigation, trusts, estates, guardianships, employment law, and landlord-tenant law, Whet brings a wealth of experience to every matter that he works on. His dedication to his clients and his commitment to achieving favorable outcomes are hallmarks of his practice.

Outside of his legal career, Whet remains actively engaged in his community, volunteering most of his spare time coaching Mock Trial at Henrico.  An avid reader and classic film aficionado, he finds joy in the world of literature and cinema. He is a huge sports fan, primarily of the Houston Astros and Georgetown Hoyas basketball.  He also enjoys traveling, particularly epic road trips, whenever he gets a chance.