Bethany Smith

Bethany joins the Bar having qualified and practised both as a litigation attorney in New York and as a commercial solicitor in England & Wales. Bethany has gained considerable experience in commercial and general civil law matters throughout her multijurisdictional practice and continues to build on this in her role as a Pupil Barrister.

Bethany’s experience includes advising on complex multiparty litigation. Most notably, in her role as an associate at an international law firm, she acted on behalf of global companies in defending nationwide consumer class actions across the United States. She has regularly provided advice on contract matters, in both a business-to-consumer and a business-to-business context. This has included advising on warranty terms, terms and conditions of use and service, SaaS terms and conditions, as well as data protection and privacy provisions.  Shortly before joining the Bar, Bethany was passionately engaged in a project involving the procurement of hydrogen fuel and transportation, working closely with stakeholders and the local authority to implement a contractual matrix that included various asset leases and contracts for the sale of goods. Bethany has also assisted in handling regulatory proceedings before the Traffic Commissioner and has led settlement negotiations in claims under the Equality Act 2010.

During her pupillage Bethany has engaged in a variety of practice areas, with a focus on employment, civil, and public and human rights law. Bethany has assisted in preparing cases before the Employment Tribunal and the Employment Appeal Tribunal involving claims of unfair and constructive dismissal, discrimination, victimisation and unpaid wages. She has attended County Courts on various housing and civil matters including claims of possession, disrepair and unlawful eviction, as well as a claim under the GDPR. She has attended the High Court on judicial review proceedings involving housing and adult social care. Bethany has also been involved in a police misconduct hearing and has gained experience in immigration appeals involving asylum, deprivation of citizenship, entry clearance and leave to remain decisions.

Bethany previously worked as an Adjunct Professor of Trial Advocacy at Fordham University School of Law, coaching teams of law students in preparation for national mock trial competitions across the United States.