Smith Haughey Attorneys Named to Benchmark Litigation 40 & Under Hot List

Smith Haughey attorneys Kristen E. Guinn and Charissa C. Huang have been named to the fourth annual 2019 Benchmark Litigation 40 & Under Hot List.

This is the fourth year that Benchmark Litigation has released the list, which commemorates the most notable up-and-coming litigation attorneys in the United States. Those named to this exclusive list have proven their eligibility as individuals at the partner level of their respective firms who are of the age of 40 or younger. They have all also had a hand in some of their firms’ most noteworthy recent cases and have earned praise from clients and peers regarding the quality of their work.

This list was curated through a process which included both peer review and case examination over many months, which accurately reflects the young, up-and-coming legal partners.

Kristen E. Guinn

2019 marks Kristen’s fourth consecutive year of being named to the 40 & Under Hot List. Kristen has been named in the following areas of litigation: general commercial, insurance, labor and employment, product liability, and professional malpractice.

Kristen is a trial attorney who represents individuals and businesses in commercial litigation, professional liability, employment and other civil matters. She currently serves as chair of Smith Haughey’s women’s business initiative committee and is a member of the firm’s Board of Directors. Kristen is also highly involved in the community by being an active participant on the boards of local organizations over the years.


Charissa C. Huang

Named a shareholder at Smith Haughey in 2018, Charissa is a litigator who specializes in representing plaintiffs in employment law, school law, and personal injury and wrongful death. Charissa also serves as trusted counsel for a variety of business clients in complex commercial litigation matters. Charissa is passionate about giving back to the West Michigan community and has served as pro bono counsel through the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan’s pro bono case assignment panel. Charissa is also a member of the Board of Directors of the Grand Rapids Pride Center, was elected as a Trustee by the membership of the Grand Rapids Bar Association in 2017 and has served on the City of Grand Rapids’ Housing Appeals Board by mayoral appointment since 2018.

Charissa has been named in the following areas of litigation: commercial and transactions, labor and employment and, product liability.