Katrina L Smith

Katrina L. Smith is a native of Raleigh, North Carolina, and a proud triple Eagle of North Carolina Central University. She earned her B.S. in Criminal Justice with a concentration in Corrections (summa cum laude) in 2005, her B.S. in Family and Consumer Sciences with a concentration in Child Development and Family Relations (summa cum laude) in 2006, and her J.D. in 2009. 

After earning her law degree and becoming a licensed attorney, Professor Smith cultivated her legal expertise while working with law firms in the Triangle area. In April 2010, she founded Smith Legal Solutions, a law firm dedicated to serving her community in family law, landlord-tenant law, intellectual property, and business law. As a first-generation attorney and entrepreneur, she has built a practice rooted in advocacy, integrity, and education. 

In addition to her legal practice, Professor Smith is an entrepreneurial consultant and mentor. She has counseled over 500 young attorneys, offering guidance on business formation, federal and state marketing regulations, client management, and trial preparation strategies. Her work has empowered countless first-generation attorneys to build sustainable practices and achieve professional success. 

A sought-after speaker, Professor Smith regularly presents at conferences, accelerator programs, webinars, and other events designed to educate and inspire entrepreneurs and legal professionals. Her expertise has been featured in numerous publications and platforms, where she shares her insights to support small business owners and professionals worldwide. 

In July 2022, Professor Smith joined the faculty of NCCU School of Law as a visiting clinical professor, clinical director, and supervising attorney of the Family Law Clinic. She became an assistant clinical professor in July 2024. In her role, she oversees students in the Family Law Clinic, where they gain hands-on experience providing legal services to families in need. She also teaches Appellate Advocacy and Pleadings and Practice. 

Professor Smith is a member of the North Carolina State Bar, the American Bar Association, the Tenth Judicial District Bar, the North Carolina Real Estate Commission, and the Clinical Legal Education Association.