Bea Ann Smith has been a trained mediator for twenty years and a Texas appellate court justice for sixteen years. As a retired judge, she continues to sit by assignment on appellate courts in the state. She is associated with the Brown McCarroll law firm in downtown Austin where comfortable conference rooms and free parking are available for mediations. Judge Smith also teaches courses at the University of Texas School of Law and at the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Texas at Austin. She remains active in continuing education in civil appellate and administrative law and is involved in national judicial training for appellate judges.
	Much as she did on the appellate court, Judge Smith mediates cases in every area of the law: commercial disputes, libel/slander/defamation, partnership dissolutions, personal injury, probate matters, family law, real estate disputes, regulatory cases, and public policy disputes involving governmental entities. She also sits as an arbitrator, individually or on a panel, and as a special master to resolve discovery disputes and conflicts regarding pretrial procedure.
	Judge Smith is committed to finding constructive and fair resolutions to every manner of dispute and will explore innovative approaches to problem solving. She initiated a mediation program when she first joined the Third Court of Appeals and attended the prestigious National Judicial College Course in Dispute Resolution Skills while on the bench.
	Judge Smith received her law degree with honors from the University of Texas School of Law where she was an editor on the Texas Law Review and Order of the Coif. She holds a master’s degree from Brandeis University, and was a Plan II graduate with honors from the University of Texas at Austin. Judge Smith has served as President of the National Association of Women Judges and on the Board of Directors of the International Association of Women Judges. She is a member of the American Law Institute. You may read her most recent article on expanded judicial review of arbitration awards here.
	Judge Smith accepts assignments to mediate or arbitrate in Austin or anywhere in Texas. She is available outside the state by special arrangements. To schedule a dispute resolution process or inquire about fees, contact Judge Smith or her assistant, Nora Paul, at 512 479 1177 or beaann@beaannsmith.com