Member Spotlight - Kerri L Smith

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT | MEMBER PROFILE

PAVING THE WAY

FOR THE NEXT G E N E R AT I O N O F WO M E N I N L AW KERRI L. SMITH Silverman Thompson

KERRI L. SMITH, a real estate

litigation partner at Silverman Thompson, has held numerous leadership positions within the Maryland State Bar Association (MSBA). With 13 years of practice in Baltimore City, Smith’s extensive service includes serving as past chair of the MSBA Young Lawyers Section (YLS) and on MSBA’s Executive Committee.

Below, she shares her insights on professional reputation, her career progression from law clerk to partner, and her commitment to advancing women in legal leadership and serving the community.

Photo courtesy of Travis Marshall Photography

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MEMBER SPOTLIGHT | MEMBER PROFILE

PAVING THE WAY

FOR THE NEXT G E N E R AT I O N O F WO M E N I N L AW KERRI L. SMITH Silverman Thompson

KERRI L. SMITH, a real estate

litigation partner at Silverman Thompson, has held numerous leadership positions within the Maryland State Bar Association (MSBA). With 13 years of practice in Baltimore City, Smith’s extensive service includes serving as past chair of the MSBA Young Lawyers Section (YLS) and on MSBA’s Executive Committee.

Below, she shares her insights on professional reputation, her career progression from law clerk to partner, and her commitment to advancing women in legal leadership and serving the community.

Photo courtesy of Travis Marshall Photography

What is the best piece of advice you have received from someone in the legal profession?

Your reputation arrives in the room before you do.

The legal profession is built on trust, and maintaining credibility, treating people with respect, and doing what you say you will impact your success and the opportunities that come your way.

What professional accomplishment are you most proud of?

I’m very proud of my professional journey at Silverman Thompson. I started with the firm 15 years ago as a law clerk and have since grown into the roles of associate, member, and now partner. As a woman in litigation, I recognize that this path is not always common, which makes the opportunity I have had at the firm especially meaningful. I also lead the firm’s community outreach efforts and Women’s Legal Network, which are two initiatives I care deeply about.

Having more women in leadership positions within the legal profession is important, and I look forward to continuing to grow as a leader and contributing to the firm’s long-term success in an even greater leadership capacity.

What do you enjoy most about your career?

I genuinely enjoy the fast pace and pressure of litigation. I thrive on the energy and intensity of the work, and I enjoy being challenged, thinking strategically under pressure, and testing my knowledge and skills in high-stakes situations.

In 2024, you received the Edward F. Shea, Jr. Professionalism Award. In today’s legal climate, how do you define professionalism?

Receiving the Edward F. Shea, Jr. Professionalism Award was such a meaningful honor because professionalism is so fundamental to effective lawyering and something I strive to uphold. I define professionalism as a commitment to the rule of law and to service. It is the ability to advocate zealously for a client while remaining fair, ethical, and respectful of the process. In today’s legal climate, professionalism goes beyond competence and civility, and also means maintaining integrity when facing pressure, treating clients, colleagues, courts, and opposing counsel with respect, and recognizing that our actions affect public trust in the legal system.

You were a member of the Special Committee on Recent Law School Graduates early in your career. Looking back, what advice would you give to the “2009 version” of yourself just starting out at the University of Baltimore?

Looking back, I would tell the 2009 version of myself to focus on building relationships as much as building legal skills.

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Having more women in leadership positions within the legal profession is important, and I look forward to continuing to grow as a leader and contributing to the firm’s long-term success in an even greater leadership capacity.

The mentors, colleagues, and professional connections you develop over time have the greatest impact on both your career and your perspective.

Tell us a little bit about your current role.

I am a partner at Silverman Thompson, where my practice focuses on real estate litigation. I represent landlords, tenants, business owners, property management companies, and real property owners in matters involving development, construction, leasing, and management across various property types. I also have experience with buyer-seller disputes, property rights of commercial and residential landowners, construction claims, land use, and other issues that arise in the ownership, operation, and use of real property. In addition to my legal practice, I am actively involved in firm leadership and professional service. I lead the firm’s community outreach efforts and the Women’s Legal Network, initiatives that allow me to foster meaningful connections and support causes important to our firm and community. Beyond the firm, I am committed to service within the legal profession. I am actively involved with MSBA (Governor on the Board of Governors), the Bar Association of Baltimore City (Chair of the Events Committee and Co-Chair of the National Adoption Day Committee), and the American Bar Association (Fellow on the Commission on Women in the Profession), as well as the Maryland Bar Foundation (Member of the Board of Directors) and the Baltimore Bar Foundation (President).

What is one thing you would change about your current role if you could?

If I could change one thing, it would be to see greater representation of women in leadership positions throughout

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In today’s legal climate, professionalism goes beyond competence and civility, and also means maintaining integrity when facing pressure, treating clients, colleagues, courts, and opposing counsel with respect, and recognizing that our actions affect public trust in the legal system.

the legal profession. While meaningful progress has been made, women remain underrepresented in many of the profession’s highest leadership roles, particularly in litigation and law firm management. Throughout my career, I have been fortunate to work with and learn from exceptional women leaders, and I believe the profession benefits when leadership reflects the diversity of lawyers and the communities it serves.

Having served as Chair of the Young Lawyers Section (2022–2023) and now as a Governor for the First District, how has your perspective on the MSBA’s mission evolved as you moved into senior leadership?

While serving as YLS chair, MSBA’s role in supporting attorneys at the beginning of their careers was at the forefront. The focus was on helping new lawyers build professional networks, develop practical skills, and find opportunities for leadership and service. As a member of the Board of Governors, my perspective has broadened and includes an appreciation for MSBA's responsibility beyond individual members to the profession and the public. MSBA plays a critical role in promoting professionalism, supporting access to justice, advocating for the fair administration of the legal system, and helping lawyers navigate our rapidly changing legal landscape.

What causes are you passionate about?

I’m passionate about advancing conversations around the barriers, biases, and disparities women lawyers continue to face in the legal profession by bringing those challenges into the open and advocating for meaningful changes that help retain and support top female talent. As a Fellow of the

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Amercican Bar Association’s (ABA) Commission on Women in the Profession, and through my involvement with MSBA, I’ve had the opportunity to learn and contribute to these conversations in tangible ways, including moderating panels at the YLS spring Open Meeting on Exploring Long-Term Careers for Women in Law and at the Legal Summit on Grit and a Growth Mindset: Characteristics of Highly Successful Women in Law. There is so much to be said and so much to be done, and it’s critical to address these issues not only to support the well-being and long-term success of women in the profession but also to drive meaningful structural change within the legal community.

Do you volunteer? If so, where?

I split my volunteer time between legal and non-legal organizations. On the legal side, I became a volunteer attorney with Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service (MVLS) in 2024. I have really enjoyed the opportunity to learn new areas of law and appreciate so much the availability of mentor assignment through MVLS because it has given me the confidence to take on cases that I might have otherwise been hesitant to accept, like a divorce case with the Human Trafficking Prevention Project. On the non-legal side, I have volunteered with Athletes Serving Athletes (ASA) since 2018. ASA is an organization that empowers athletes with limited mobility to participate in mainstream racing by pairing them with a wingman who lends their heart and legs to help the ASA Athlete cross the finish line. I participate in races from 5Ks to half marathons and love every minute of it because I really enjoy running, and ASA is just such a special community of people to share those miles with. ASA was the beneficiary of the YLS Annual Charity Event in 2023!