Early Life & Education

Curtis Clinesmith grew up in Post, a small town in West Texas where community meant something tangible. Neighbors looked out for one another. The Lyndon Johnson quote — "They know when you're sick and care when you die" — captures exactly the kind of place that raised him.
After high school, Curtis moved to the Dallas–Fort Worth area to attend the University of North Texas, earning his B.S. in Education in 1988 and later his M.S. in History. For five years during graduate school, he taught history in public schools — a chapter that deepened his belief in the power of service to others.
It was a personal loss that ultimately redirected his path. When Curtis's father died as a result of medical malpractice, his family was fortunate to have exceptional legal representation. That experience planted a seed: the conviction that his own career should be dedicated to helping families who had suffered at the hands of others.

Legal Training

Curtis attended St. Mary's University School of Law, where he excelled in advocacy competitions and served as a director on the school's Board of Advocates. He spent his final two years clerking at a prominent law firm — hands-on training that prepared him to practice at the highest level from day one.

Career at Smith Clinesmith

Curtis opened his practice in 1998 as a solo attorney. Over the decades that followed, he grew Smith Clinesmith LLP into one of the largest nursing home abuse practices in the country, representing thousands of families across multiple states.
His approach has always combined rigorous legal advocacy with sound business strategy. By building disciplined litigation systems and a strong leadership team, he created a firm capable of going toe-to-toe with some of the largest nursing home corporations in the country. That organizational strength translates directly into better outcomes for clients.
The firm's cases focus on exposing neglect, abuse, chronic understaffing, and corporate decision-making that puts profits ahead of people. Curtis believes that when facilities fail the seniors in their care, accountability through the legal system isn't just an option — it's a necessity.
In addition to leading the firm's legal work, Curtis serves as Chief Executive Officer, overseeing an executive team that meets regularly to develop strategies that strengthen every client's case.

Advocating for a Better Standard

Curtis believes that justice for individual families is only part of the work. Meaningful change in the nursing home industry requires persistent public accountability — and he has dedicated himself to that broader mission.
He closely follows trends in healthcare litigation, long-term care policy, and the economics of the nursing home industry. That combination of legal knowledge and business insight allows him to understand not just what went wrong in an individual case, but why — and to argue those causes effectively before judges and juries.
When families come forward, Curtis believes they do something larger than seeking their own justice. They send a message that neglect and abuse will not be quietly absorbed. Every case is a contribution to a standard of care that all seniors deserve.
His ultimate goal: a future where families never have to wonder whether their loved ones are truly safe.