College of Law

Although Professor Smith’s focus is on legal research, writing, and practice skills, she majored in geology at Barnard College at Columbia University.  After a few years in university research and non-profit work, Professor Smith attended the Indiana University School of Law (Maurer School of Law), where she served as an Articles Editor of the Indiana Law Journal and the Director of the Protective Order Project.  She simultaneously earned her master’s degree in environmental science from the Indiana University School of Public and Environmental Affairs.

After graduating cum laude from law school, Professor Smith clerked for the Honorable Wade Brorby (U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit). She continued her public service afterwards as an Assistant Attorney General in the office of the Wyoming Attorney General. In that capacity, Professor Smith represented the Wyoming Department of Environment Quality, Water Quality Division, in administrative and court actions. She also provided daily counseling to the Water Quality Division on transactional and administrative matters.  After just a couple of years, Professor Smith was promoted to Senior Assistant Attorney General for the Wyoming Attorney General’s office.

Before joining the College of Law in 2004, Professor Smith moved to Cincinnati to practice law in the litigation department of Dinsmore & Shohl.  As an associate at Dinsmore & Shohl for five years, her practice focused on environmental law and pharmaceutical products liability.