Graves Dougherty is pleased to welcome David P. Smith to the firm’s Regulatory, Environmental and Real Estate practices.

Widely recognized as an authority in environmental and natural resources law and policy, David Smith recently returned to Texas – and private practice – after more than a decade in public service in both Austin and Washington, D.C.  Mr. Smith has dealt with all major Texas and federal natural resources agencies as counsel, policy advisor or appointed official.  Before moving back into private practice, David spent five years with the U.S. Department of the Interior as Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Interior and Counselor for Fish and Wildlife and Parks.  In this capacity, he was a member of the Secretary of the Interior’s senior management team, working with political and career leadership across the Department of the Interior, the White House, Congress and other federal agencies.

David  has testified before both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives and has delivered speeches and position papers to national and international audiences on such topics as the Endangered Species Act, National Environmental Policy Act, Migratory Bird Treaty Act, Bald and Golden Eagle Act, National Wildlife Refuge System, the National Park System, and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.

Prior to going to Washington he served in the Appointments Office of then-Governor George W. Bush and later on the Bush-Cheney Transition Team.