Attorneys for Personal Injury, General Civil Litigation, Business & Estate Matters
Attorney profiles - mr. jerry smith, jr.
Attorney Jerry Smith, Jr., M.Ed.
Jerry grew up in Wilson, NC. He graduated from UNC- Chapel Hill in 1990 with a B.A. in Sociology - Honors. Jerry played baseball at Carolina and was on the College World Series team in 1989 and ACC Championship team in 1990. He was also a three-time ACC All-Academic team member. He went on to the North Carolina Central School of Law, earning his JD, Summa Cum Laude, in 1993. Jerry originally was licensed in North Carolina and South Carolina, practicing with the Hood Law firm in Charleston, SC, from 1993-1995, and part-time in 1996. In 1997, Jerry went back to school to earn his Master's in Education from George Mason University. He left the practice of law and started teaching high school social studies in Northern Virginia in 1998.
In 2000, Jerry moved to Henderson County and decided to continue teaching at Hendersonville High School, where he taught for 23 years. During his time at HHS, Jerry was the Mock Trial coach for 17 years, giving him a chance to teach litigation skills to over a hundred plus HHS students. During this time, Jerry maintained his NC Bar License. Jerry then taught English one year at East Henderson, during which time he began working with Derek Jones Law Office PLLC on a part time basis. In July of 2024, he retired from teaching and became the Executive Director of the North Carolina Mock Trial program. This was a very rewarding experience and helped Jerry support the program he had enjoyed for so many years. In June of 2025, Jerry decided to work with Derek Jones Law Office PLLC full time.
Jerry also served on the Hendersonville City Council from 2009 - 2023.
Jerry attends First United Methodist Church where he is a missionary to Cuba and a regular performer in worship (saxophone). He enjoys spending time with his wife, three adult children, son-in-law, parents, extended family and friends. Jerry also enjoys traveling, working out, volunteering and performing any chance he can get.
Phone: 828-696-7993