Leadership

The Center for Industry Self-Regulation (CISR) is well positioned to educate industry leaders and the public on self-regulation and dispute resolution best practices. CISR is led by an Executive Director, Advisory Council, and Board of Directors with a deep bench of expertise and knowledge in standing up and executing successful, sustainable industry self-regulatory, accountability, and dispute resolution programs.

Executive Leadership

Howard J. Smith

Executive Director

The Center for Industry Self-Regulation

Vice President

BBB National Programs

Howard J. Smith is the Executive Director, Center for Industry Self-Regulation. Howard joined BBB National Programs in 2019 as Deputy Director, Direct Selling Self-Regulatory Council (DSSRC) and for the last year he has led the RMAI Services program.

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.

Howard earned his JD from the St. John's University School of Law.