Lightfoot’s Wesley Smithart Named Rookie of the Year by Alabama Defense Lawyers Association’s Women in the Law Committee

July 3, 2025

Lightfoot, Franklin & White LLC is proud to announce that associate M. Wesley Smithart has been named the 2025 “Rookie of the Year” by the Women in the Law (WITL) Committee of the Alabama Defense Lawyers Association (ADLA). The award was presented June 7 during ADLA’s 60th Annual Membership Meeting in Orange Beach, Alabama.

The WITL Rookie of the Year Award recognizes a rising woman attorney who demonstrates outstanding commitment to the legal profession and meaningful engagement within the organization. Smithart joined ADLA in 2020 and became the vice chair of the WITL mentoring program in 2023, where she helps foster connections between junior and senior members and assists with WITL programming. 

“Wesley brings both talent and initiative to everything she does — whether advocating for clients or contributing to the legal community,” said Lightfoot managing partner Melody H. Eagan. “This award reflects not only the quality of her work but also her commitment to the profession and her peers.”

Smithart represents clients in disputes involving product liability, medical malpractice, white-collar criminal enforcement and personal injury. In addition to her litigation practice, she serves on the firm’s hiring committee.