Education

J.D., North Carolina Central University, School of Law
B.S., North Carolina Central University

Biography

Katrina L. Smith is a native of Raleigh, North Carolina. A proud triple Eagle, Professor Smith earned her B.S. in Criminal Justice with a concentration in Corrections (summa cum laude) in 2005, B.S. in Family and Consumer Sciences with a concentration in Child Development and Family Relations (summa cum laude) in 2006, and J.D. in 2009 from North Carolina Central University. After becoming a licensed attorney, she was granted the opportunity to work with a few law firms in the Triangle where she was able to cultivate her development as a first-generational attorney and business owner. In April of 2010, she established Smith Legal Solutions which provided her the opportunity to serve her community in the areas of family law, landlord-tenant law, intellectual property law, and business law.

As an entrepreneurial consultant and mentor, Professor Smith has leveraged her education and experience to counsel younger first-generational attorneys on business formation laws, federal and state marketing regulations, client management techniques, and trial preparation strategies. To date, she has assisted over 500 young attorneys with practice and client management techniques.

Professor Smith regularly serves as a speaker for conferences, accelerator programs, webinars, radio shows and other events to empower emerging and experienced entrepreneurs. She has also been featured in numerous publications and events to teach and encourage small business owners worldwide.

In July of 2022, Professor Smith joined the North Carolina Central University School of Law Faculty as a Visiting Clinical Professor, Clinical Director and Supervising Attorney of the Family Law Clinic. She also teaches Pleadings and Practice with an emphasis on contract law, professional responsibility, and social media marketing regulations.

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