Duncan C. Smith discussed his extensive professional and personal experiences with the Republican National Lawyers Association Newsletter.

In addition to private practice, Mr. Smith’s government service includes positions in the administration as a civil servant, 36 years in the Coast Guard, mostly as a Reservist, and 10 years on Capitol Hill as a Committee Counsel.

Mr. Smith said that when working in government, you learn the processes and how decisions are made. “You live it and learn it, not just observe it.”

Currently, Mr. Smith has been working on numerous maritime and defense authorization bills, as well as preparing for the impending reconciliation of differences between the White House and Congress on the federal highway reauthorization bill.

Even with Mr. Smith’s vast experience, he cites establishing relationships as the most gratifying aspect of his work.

“I’ve worked for and with some truly smart, interesting, passionate and engaged people and maintaining those relationships have been the most rewarding for me.”

“Member Spotlight: Duncan C. Smith III, Blank Rome”  by Chapin Fay appeared in the July 2009 edition of the RNLA Newsletter. To read the complete interview, please visit www.rnla.org.