Katrina L Smith

Katrina L. Smith is an assistant clinical professor of law at the North Carolina Central University School of Law, where she serves as clinical director and supervising attorney of the Family Law Clinic and as competition teams coordinator. In August 2026, Dean Joseph Grant appointed her Interim Associate Dean of Clinical Legal Education and Experiential Learning. Her work focuses on experiential legal education, trial advocacy, and the development of practice-ready attorneys.

Professor Smith teaches Evidence, Appellate Advocacy, Pleadings and Practice, and the Family Law Clinic. Her research interests include emerging technology, artificial intelligence, access to justice, custody, parentage, and the preparation of practice-ready attorneys.

A native of Raleigh, North Carolina, Professor Smith is a proud triple Eagle of North Carolina Central University. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice with a concentration in Corrections, summa cum laude, in 2005; a Bachelor of Science in Family and Consumer Sciences with a concentration in Child Development and Family Relations, summa cum laude, in 2006; and a Juris Doctor from North Carolina Central University School of Law in 2009.

Before joining the faculty, Professor Smith practiced law primarily in the Triangle region and founded Smith Legal Solutions in 2010. Her practice has included family law, landlord-tenant law, intellectual property, and business law. As a first-generation attorney and entrepreneur, she brings to her teaching a practical understanding of client representation, law practice management, and the evolving demands of the legal profession.

Professor Smith’s commitment to community legal education includes working with clinical students to provide in-person and virtual programs on divorce, custody, and related family law matters.

She is also a mentor, consultant, and frequent speaker on law practice development, entrepreneurship, and professional formation. Her speaking engagements include the Accelerate 180 Business and Lifestyle Conference and Hallmark Mahogany Moments Conference. She has counseled more than 500 emerging attorneys on law practice management, business formation, client relations, trial preparation, marketing compliance, and professional development.