Andrew C. Smith

Andy is a partner in the Vorys Columbus office and a member of the labor and employment group, which he chaired for eleven years.  His practice focuses on all aspects of labor and employment law, including employment litigation, wrongful discharge, and wage and hour class actions.  Andy has represented employers in federal and state court proceedings across the country; in administrative matters before a variety of federal and state administrative agencies; and in traditional labor relations issues.  His clients include national retailers, home builders, financial institutions and international container manufacturers.

Career highlights include:

• Successfully defending an international distributor and manufacturer of clothing in a pregnancy and national origin discrimination claim in a federal district court trial in New York, New York
• Successfully defending a national retailer in a disability discrimination trial in Wilmington, Delaware
• Successfully defending a national industrial container manufacturer in a sex and race discrimination trial in Mobile, Alabama
• Representing retailers, manufacturers, national home builders and restaurants to successful resolution of class and collective action wage and hour claims under Federal and state law
• Successfully negotiating collective bargaining agreements for a variety of businesses, a national retailer and an international industrial container corporation
• Assisting a national manufacturing client in its pay equity and diversity and inclusion initiatives

Andy frequently lectures on all aspects of employment law, including sexual harassment, wage and hour laws, wrongful termination, conducting successful employment investigations and updates on national labor relations issues.

Andy received his J.D. from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law and his B.A. summa cum laude from the College of Wooster where he was a Phi Beta Kappa. 

Honors & Recognitions

Columbus CEO, Best Lawyers, Labor and Employment, 2022-2023; Litigation – Labor and Employment, 2023

The Best Lawyers in America, Labor Law – Management "Lawyer of the Year," 2016, 2018, 2021

Client Service All-Star, BTI, 2014

Chambers and Partners, Leading Lawyer in Labor & Employment, 2013-2014, 2018-2025

The Best Lawyers in America, Labor and Employment Law, 2008-2011; Employment Law – Management, 2012-2025; Labor Law – Management, 2012-2025; Litigation – Labor and Employment, 2024-2025

Ohio Super Lawyers, Employment and Labor, 2009, 2012-2019, 2024-2025

Columbus CEO, Top Lawyers in Columbus, 2010-2021

Martindale-Hubbell AV Peer Review Rated

Professional & Community Activities

Athletic Club of Columbus, Board of Directors, Past President

Action for Children, Former Board Member

Prevent Blindness, Ohio, Former Board Member