Octagon Speakers

DeMaurice Smith was elected by the Board of Player Representatives in March 2009 as the new Executive Director of the NFL Players Association.

Previously, he was a trial lawyer and litigation partner at D.C. law firm Patton Boggs, where he concentrated on white-collar criminal defense and tort liability trials.  He was also Chair of the firm's Government investigations and White-Collar Practice Group.  He has argued numerous cases before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit and the District of Columbia Court of Appeals. 

In addition, he has defended individuals in high profile criminal cases and Congressional investigations while also representing Fortune 500 companies in criminal and complex civil cases, compliance matters, and internal investigations.  He also represented Halliburton, Shell Motor Company and Ford Motor Company during his career.

Currently, Smith serves as the voice of all the league’s players in his new role as Executive Director of the NFL Players Association.  A strong leader and excellent communicator, Smith continues to work tirelessly to unite the group in preparation for the March 2011 expiration date of the current collective-bargaining agreement with the league and team owners.