Howard J. Smith is the Deputy Director of the Direct Selling Self-Regulatory Council (DSSRC). Prior to joining DSSRC, Howard was a commercial counselor and litigator in private practice handling complex matters across a broad array of subject matters including false advertising disputes, intellectual property, and bankruptcy matters. Howard has substantial first and second chair trial experience as well as experience counselling a wide variety of commercial clients. Howard’s notable achievements for varied clients include successfully arguing an appeal to the Second Circuit for a Fortune 200 client, winning two breach of contract trials in New York state court, winning a defense verdict in a two-week jury trial in California state court, obtaining dismissal of all claims against his client in a “bet the company” advertising and trademark dispute, and favorably resolving as co-counsel seven litigations arising from real estate investments in excess of $1 billion. Howard also has significant experience in advertising disputes before the National Advertising Division (NAD) of BBB National Programs and with consumer perception surveys in both NAD and Lanham Act matters. In addition to his work at DSSRC, Howard has also handled matters brought before NAD.