Pete Smith’s practice includes real estate, corporate matters and trust | estate planning.

His ability to identify title issues or concerns and know how to solve them comes from his deep industry experience. With his expert knowledge, Pete acts quickly and decisively to guide you in how to separate the important from the ancillary. Sharper insight helps you move forward.

Pete focuses on all aspects of real estate development and financing with emphasis on construction finance, deal structuring and tax credit transactions. He also works extensively in corporate | business law and estate planning. Pete serves as a title agent for First American Title Insurance Company and has extensive experience representing lenders and real estate developers on projects locally and nationally.

He has a deep understanding of real estate deal structuring and methods of financing including: traditional secured debt, equity, tax incremental financing (TIF), bond financing, mezzanine financing, tax credits or private placement. Pete will work with you to determine what financing or combination of financing will suit your project best.

Starting at Strauss Troy as a University of Cincinnati sophomore, Pete has literally conducted hundreds of title examinations for the firm over the past two decades. He knows this area of law inside and out. As a result, he  saves clients considerable time and money, puts  them in touch with the right contacts to accelerate projects to completion and effectively shepherds transactions to the closing table and beyond.

Pete takes personal pride in providing both value and great service to his clients. He is always responsive and efficient when working on your legal needs. As a self-described “hyper-avid golfer,” he will happily meet you on the links anytime to discuss a transaction.

Over the years, Pete has served on the firm’s board of directors and management committee.

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The Best Lawyers in America® (2008-2025)

The Best Lawyers^®, Lawyer of the Year, Project Finance Law (2014, 2018, 2021, 2023)

Kentucky Super Lawyers “Rising Star” (2005-2007, 2009)

Kentucky’s Best Lawyers

Martindale-Hubbell AV^® Preeminent™ Attorney

Covington Citizenship Award Recipient (2010)

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University of Notre Dame, articles editor of the Journal of College and University Law

University of Cincinnati, Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity (Social), past president alumni association

Center for Great Neighborhoods, a Covington, KY, non-profit, nearly 20 years of pro bono legal work

International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) and the National Association of Industrial Office Properties (NAIOP)

Coach multiple AAU basketball teams

Florence Baptist Church, active member

Young Life Board Member

Big Brothers/Big Sisters Mentor

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Represented lenders on loans from $100,000 to $90 million across the nation.

Development of numerous lifestyle centers, retail plazas, shopping malls, apartment complexes and office buildings in California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Texas.

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